(don't) Flip This Bike!

[Roady]

Thank you, thank you.

She's got a few blemishes and she pisses on the pavement a little bit. Like any old lady her age, I guess.

I can't wait for Frenchy to get me that Water Pump kit! It's also an opportunity to write another GL1100 tutorial.

[Cookie]

You have made great progress roady. That beast is really getting sorted out.
I'm going to see if I get my second dry ride on my yellow bike this afternoon. Having one entire ride without popping a seal was great!

[Roady]

I installed the Harley muffler clamps and had to try it out.

Here's a video of how the Harley pipes wake up this old gal.

[Cookie]

Sounds as nice as it looks, I can barely hear my yellow bike, the engine noise is louder than the exhaust.

[beloitbullets]

remember to put that tank back in,..before you reinstall the rear wheel.
I know from experience, ya cant get it back in there any other way.

[Roady]

remember to put that tank back in,..before you reinstall the rear wheel.
I know from experience, ya cant get it back in there any other way.

Excuse me?

Welcome to the forums, beloitbullets.

[Cookie]

It's a holiday weekend.

[gllimb]

looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have a nice ride!! i want to here the sound but i can hear her with my
fantasy perfect!!

[Roady]

Yesterday I got out for a ride up Hwy. 100, the Great River Road. That's on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. Crossed over into Hannibal, Missouri and then down through Missouri via the blissfully twisty and scenic Hwy. 79. All in it was a 280 mile afternoon.

To continue my "Fashion Shoot" theme.

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As sunset was approaching I saw some powered para-sails near Louisiana, Missouri (yep, that's right) and had to make another stop. The tiny speck near the left front blinker is one of them.

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All-in-all a great day and a memorable ride.

There was, however, a "tiny" problem with That Sweet White Smoke, but we'll get over that soon enough.

[Roady]

Yesterday, the front end was taken apart for the second go-around. The first time was in July '07, right after purchase. That's when I rebuilt the forks, flushed the radiator, did hoses and replaced the timing belts, thermostat, fan switch, tires and brakes.

Of course I ignored the 9th post in this thread ...

Nice find! Take your time. <snip> & check the water pump!

So, I pulled the radiator and then got the front transmission/water pump housing off ... thinking that Frenchie's water pump seal kit would do the job. Then my balls fell out. Well, one ball actually. The oil side seal is totally shot and when I took the housing to the bench I heard a little "clink". Not only that but the shaft and impeller rock back and forth like Elvis.

EDIT: 8-15-2017 Looks like I used a potato to take this picture.

shotballs.jpg

Set that aside and continue ...

The right cambelt and head came off without any problems. I can't see where the head gasket is bad, looks okay to me, and that will go back on when the parts arrive from Service Honda. There was no o-ring on the tach cable to fuel pump connection so I'm sure that was the source of the leak that kept my right boot shiny with oil.

Do me a favor: If your sled is running, get out there and ride it like you stole it!

[Whiskerfish]

Winnie sure has come a long way in a year. Great Job!!!

[Roady]

WF: yes, she's come a long way, thanks.

Octane started a Water Pump Rebuild thread but found that his impeller was busted and didn't reassemble it. After closely inspecting my impeller, I figured that I'd rebuild mine and then finish that thread.

So, I spent about an hour punching the water pump to pieces.

pumpapart.jpg

I removed the little circlip and as I punched out the shaft, my balls fell out all over the shop. If you find then in your shop, you may keep them.

Both the inner and outer bearings came apart in many pieces. The inner part of the outer bearing is hopelessly stuck to the impeller shaft. New ones can be had at NAPA, part 6000 2RS.

Also, the inner part of the mechanical seal is stuck on the shaft and the rest of it is in about a zillion pieces. The outer part of it is stuck inside the pump body. Octane listed part #19217-657-023 (for a CX500 Turbo) but I couldn't find this on Service Honda's fiche. He said it's $55 USD.

I do believe that this pump is not going to go back together with new parts. Service Honda lists a new pump for $106.81 so that's my next expense.

Movin' right along, eh?

[Roady]

Time to do an update on this restore thread.

It's been a busy month, as I've noted elsewhere on these forums. And it's been a frustrating month too. All this gorgeous weather and Winnie has been in the hospital. Now, I'm not a doctor, I just play one with the girls.

30 days and $200 ago ... She had developed a pissing problem from the water pump weep hole and then blew out all That Sweet White Smoke from the right muffler. So, I tore apart the front engine area and right head. While waiting for parts ordered from ServiceHonda, I put together the Front Engine Renewal Project, GL1100 thread. Much of that was done last fall so I didn't replace the belts and hoses but the new water pump and fan switch went in that time.

The coolant smoke was obviously due to a blown head gasket but I decided to just do the right head to get through the season. Bad judgement, that. I got two nice rides out of it and then the left muffler blew out its huge puff of sweet white smoke. Had to go back into it and do the left head gasket, too. But I managed to get the left timing cover off without pulling the radiator. And I strained and saved my new coolant. But that all meant another round of ordering and waiting for parts (head gasket was backordered, dayum!).

Everything got finished up on a rainy day last week and I finally got out for a nice, long, slow (well...mostly) ride yesterday. She's running strong and smooth again. And here are the obligatory photos ...

curve.jpg

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Excuse me now, I'm gonna go do it again today.

[Brant]

Good to hear you're on the road again.

[Cookie]

I'd personally feel better with new head gaskets. I've got six old ones to make me nervous.