First rebuild: ‘81 GL1100

[RevSlowMo]

Been looking for a project to keep me from doom scrolling social media. Got my hands on an ‘81 GL1100 with good bones but has been neglected. I work full time and have two teenage boys playing competitive sports so this might be a slow moving project.
More of a marathon than a sprint.
Some opening pics that I took after taking off a lot of the duct tape, baling wire, and other “custom” mods done by the previous owner.

[Fred Camper]

Yes, I see good bones. Be sure to replace those belts soon, ie. before you ride. Interference engine so when a belt breaks so does the engine. Going to be a nice project. I would keep the red as it looks well done. Headlight choices are many, some have used dual vertical and dual horizontal. Lots of tutorials in the Shop Talk section so be sure to use that to your advantage.

[RevSlowMo]

Thanks for the suggestions and encouraging words

Much appreciated.

Got the carb off and will be ordering Randakk's rebuild kit soon. My quick, early progress will definitely slow down now as I take my time to be meticulous on the card rebuild.

Filthy on the outside but after a quick look at the butterflys the inside might not be too bad.

[NotSoLilCrippseys]

Fun stuff. You're right into it if cracking open the carbs is one of the first moves. Bravo.

Someone put some $ into the rear shocks.

What's going on with the front shocks? It looks like duct tape or something funky going on just above the fork tubes.

Also, that's an interesting handlebar.

I'll be watching and completely understand how slo-mo can work.

[CYBORG]

I would say that the previous owner did like his duct tape. And wasn't afraid to us it

[Fred Camper]

Think the carbs are going to clean up nicely. You did good there.

[RevSlowMo]

What's going on with the front shocks? It looks like duct tape or something funky going on just above the fork tubes.

Yep. That’s duct tape and residue on the front shocks. Spray paint on the shock seals along with the lower shocks. I’m thinking I will rebuild those too since I’m planning to get rid of the red spray paint on there.

[Fred Camper]

Agree they the forks need a rebuilt to get all that stuff off the tubes. But I do like the red, so removing that would be my last thing in the event you decide to keep it red. Integrates well with the fender.

[RevSlowMo]

Made a bit of progress on carb disassembly.

[Fred Camper]

Looks like you may be OCD, and that helps a bunch with carb work. Nice to see the good organization.

[RevSlowMo]

Got sidetracked with some other projects but finally had some time to finish up the carb rebuild today.

Gonna polish up the intake pipes next then move on to engine overhaul.

[NotSoLilCrippseys]

You did a thing. They sure look nice. I bet you can't wait to bolt them down and see what they can do.

[Geropat]

nice job!

[Fred Camper]

Pray the rest of the rebuild is going as good as the carb refresh. Understand the constraints and summer certainly delays many of my projects as well.