(don't) Flip This Bike!

[Roady]

Well, we finally got out for a little ride today. Just 7 miles around the block but I see there's still more to do.

First, the left front caliper locked up. Bled it a little and continued on.

Then the rear locked and started to smoke. Bled it and took a little break.

She won't idle very nicely.

But, woooohoooo anyway!!

It's been almost three months of tinkering in the garage and I think that little ride just may have paid me back.

One good thing... no problem stopping.

[Wingnumberone]

Wow. You might not want to sell her when your done. . . .

She's kinda HAWT !!

[whizzy]

Don't stop now! Your headed for home plate! Yank those calipers off and get to cleanin! What a deal! Congratulations.

[Roady]

Thanks, Wing#1 and Whizzy.

I got out again yesterday and put about 25 miles on her. Filled up the tank and added a dose of Seafoam to see how that helps out with the poor idle problem. I may have to dig into those carbs after all. The front brakes were an easy fix, just pulled 'em and cleaned 'em (scraped the groove and 4x0 steel-wooled them). But the same thing didn't fix the rear. When I use the rear it just stays locked. So... I guess I just won't use the rear . The caliper piston is pretty pitted and so is the inside of the cylinder. Prolly have to replace that one.

Of course, I had to stop and get a few pics at the park. Winnie looks a lot better with her newly painted black fairing than she did with that ugly white thing. I still don't want a fairing (it has to be nearly removed to get to the shelter bolts!) but had to go that way since there's no headlight otherwise.

The valve covers, pulley covers and forks all got the jeweler's rogue treatment and several coats of clear powder. I forgot to put on the side covers but they're in really good original shape too. I was amazed how much on this bike is original and in good condition. From rubber boots to screw heads I didn't have to replace much. I still have to get the Sportster mufflers on but that'll wait until I can drive her on a longer trip to my buddy, the welder's house.

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(Oops ... the left and right side covers are back on the polishing table in the shop.)
And here I sit having 2nd thoughts about selling her.

[ritalz]

You are getting close and she is looking good so why sell? My bike has been with me for three years now and I may add another bike to the stall but will not be selling the 75. Went for a ride with my son over the weekend and we logged almost 400 miles, had a blast, visited with my oldest son and bride, made some new friends, ran a welcome home ride with the PGR, and all at 39 miles per gallon. Get that brake fixed and lets go riding.



Al

[whizzy]

Now...I am jealous! Winnie is really coming along. Keep up the good work. Dave W.

[Roady]

I thought it might be nice to finish up this thread with a little outline of where this bike has taken me over the last year. And then I'll see if I can get a spot for it in the new Restorations forum.

It's now just a few days shy of a year since I brought Winnie into my life. My wife has accepted her as a second love and is allowing her to continue to live with us.

Rehab and Restore Threads

I've listed these in the order that they were created.

24 June 2007 I'm delighted to be here! - My NGW introduction thread.

7 July 2007 Flip This Bike (Craigslist 2 eBay) - This here one you're reading.

12 July 2007 How-To Post Pictures

8 August 2007 GL1100 Valve Clearance Adjustment, How-To

8 August 2007 Fan thermo switch; is this right? [cheap FIX!]

21 May 2008 Carb Removal, '79-'83 GL1100

21 May 2008 '81 Carbs Idle Jets clogged, on HOLD - I found out there would be no quick and easy carb fix.

22 May 2008 Headlight housing - Looking for parts to Naked-didify her.

23 May 2008 FREE! '81 Winjammer & Mounts, H-Pipes, Trunk - Trying to clean out the garage.

30 May 2008 Stock Seat becomes Custom, GL1100 - Chopping up the stock seat and recovering.

4 June 2008 79-81 GL1100 Workshop Manual Online Download it here.

5 June 2008 Mounting Small Front Blinkers

12 June 2008 Making Shiny Parts - Polishing over the Winter taught me a few things.

15 June 2008 Fork Seal Replacement - GL 1100 - Pretty simple if you ask me.

18 June 2008 She's Alive!!! - Video of the first start after the carb overhaul.

24 June 2008 Search Tutorial to find help on NGW.

26 June 2008 Ride to Work, 1st Time!

27 June 2008 Does this make her butt look slimmer? - Trimmed down the rear light assembly.

28 June 2008 St Louis shout out 4 carb sync gauges

29 June 2008 What a difference a Sync makes

30 June 2008 Carburetor Overhaul, GL1100

3 July 2008 Harley Mufflers on YouTube

7 July 2008 Happy Birthday to Winnie! We had cake too!

7 July 2008 The Pace by Nick Ienatsch from the Nov. '91 issue of Motorcyclist magazine.

16 July 2008 That Sweet White Smoke or, Diagnosing a Blown Head Gasket.

17 July 2008 NGW Business Card Offer I'll make custom NGW cards for you.

26 July 2008 Ride to Work, 1st Time!

10 August 2008How-To Mount Harley Mufflers

20 August 2008 Front Engine Renewal Project, GL1100

21 August 2008 New2 U Bike? Read Me.

3 November 2008 Is This a Sin? A discussion on the virtues of naked-idity ... and windscreens.

Just the beginning ... more to come ...

[Roady]

Our First All Day Play Date

We packed a lunch and spent the day trying to keep the sun out of our eyez.

At a brief stop in Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois, she posed for some sexy pictures.

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[WingerDave]

That is soooo beautiful........ I could cry

I gotta ask ........ The mufflers, how did you fix those ?. I need details coz mine have gone, holed where the muffler joins the down pipe on both sides. And, god knows why, the 1100 is the only 4 cyl Wing without seperate headers/mufflers.

Anyway, Winnie looks fantastic.

Dave.

[Old Fogey]

That looks real good! Well done.!

Going back a few posts, your prob with the back brake is mosy likely caused by corrosion in the brake lever pivot and the linkge to the master cylinder. Try getting some release oil in and around it, see if that makes a difference.
But if the parts are anything like mine were it will be a dismantle and grease up job; not difficult but a bit time consuming.
Well worth doing though as you never know when you will need the extra stopping power!

[Roady]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. She looks pretty good from 5 feet away.

I'm getting ready for another day ride today. Meeting up with a buddy from work and we're headed North on the River Road. Yesterday I went South. He's riding a brand new 2008, big, dressed Yamaha Venture. Any bets that Winnie will get more attention?

I gotta ask ........ The mufflers, how did you fix those ?.

Those are off an '03 Sportster. I welded 3" (about) pieces of 1-3/4" muffler pipe (from AutoZone) onto the ends of the headers. Lined it up with the brackets on the mufflers so they would attach directly to the existing brackets on the bike. Used the existing bolts. They are clamped with radiator clamps but I've got some nice chrome ones on order from the Harley dealer. Got the mufflers free from a guy at work. Took 'em off his Hardley at about 500 miles.

...your prob with the back brake is mosy likely caused by corrosion in the brake lever pivot and the linkage to the master cylinder...

I saw your post elsewhere about that and checked it but the linkage was clean and moved freely.

The problem with front and rear brakes has been fixed, I rebuilt the masters. Seems that I missed a teeeny-weeenie hole down inside the first time. Used a small piece of wire to drill them out and now we gots tons of brakes. Not like the FZ1 was, but still ... plenty of brakes.

[Roady]

I just got back from our day ride. We rode up the River Road to Alton, Illinois and had lunch at "Fast Eddie's Bon Aire," biker joint extraordinaire. Two half pound burgers, two big brats on buns and two large orders of fries for $6.31. Can't beat that, eh?

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Did my second fillup today, seems like I got the carbs right ... 45.336 MPG baby!

This old building is called "Quaker Shops", currently occupied by some Lawyers. All the exposed wood is old, untreated oak. Beautiful place inside and out.

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Right across the street from the Quaker Shops was an antique store, kinda seemed appropriate to get a shot of the bike there.

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And another antique ...

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And a bit more on the Harley Pipes.

Here's a shot of the pipes. They're about 19 inches long.

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Thanks for reminding me about the pipes, WingerDave. I stopped in the H-D/Honda dealership while in Alton for the finishing touches. Got two '03 Sportster muffler clamps to finish off where the radiator clamps are. It's all in the details.

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Kinda looks like a wedding ring shot

[Brant]

Looks good, and you look happy!!

[GL1-242]

look's Great.
Good Job.

Paul

[sunnbobb]

Clean, very clean, very naked. Very nice!