New Ride

[Beekeeper]

While I really enjoy the 750,  and don't have any plans to get rid of it, I made an offer on a 1981 GL1100 that was accepted today.  The bike only has 10,432 miles on it, starts on the first turn, and no smoke, rust, or leaks.  I've been looking for a wing to give some treatment to, along the lines of the Bomber that Hoosier Daddy built.  But this one may be too pretty.   I bought it from the original owner, and don't get me wrong, there are things that need attention.  Still has the original rear tire, original timing belts.  The front brakes are really soft, so those will need some attention as well.  Hell, the dang radio still works!  Anyways, kinda excited to have something new, at least new to me.

[TOOLS1]

COOL!!!!
TOOLS

[shultz_1978]

Very nice.

[motogrady]

Man, that's a coast to coast and back bike.

Congrats guy, sweet ride.

[lostson]

I have been looking at wings in my area as well, nice ride.

[Beekeeper]

I don't have any illusions about this machine being road ready for long trips, and I hope everything doesn't go wrong at once as I try to address the obvious problems.  But the charging system seemed healthy,  the rad fan cycled on and off as I left it parked and running, and no weeping from the water pump.  Fired right up cold, and again hot.  Basic stuff like fork seals, progressive springs, caliper and master cylinder rebuilds will keep me busy for a while, and then we'll see what happens when I start pushing it up the mountain.  I know the worse thing for these old wings is to not run them, and this one has averaged barely 300 miles per year.

[seestheday]

Beekeeper wrote

Still has the original rear tire, original timing belts.  

  Rear tire sounds scary.  I don't know enough about timing belts to know if age is as important as mileage, but I'm guessing you want to replace that as well given the implications of it giving out.

[Beekeeper]

Yes, the tires will be the first thing I change.  I test rode it, but trailering it home.  My neck is worth more than the price of a couple tires. (My ex may disagree with that, but disagreements are a big part of why she's an ex!)

[cdaiscool]

Rubber is rubber. Tires or timing belt, they both get brittle with age.

Beekeeper, I haven't the slightest clue if this is an interference motor or not (valves and pistons share the same space) but if so (their 90's cars are) then replace that timing belt asap. Otherwise, when (not if) it snaps you're going to bend valves and possibly mess up the valve guides.

Nice buy!

[Beekeeper]

Yes, the old wing boxer motor is an interference motor.   Changing the belts out appears to be a time consuming task, as the lowers, radiator, hoses, false tank, all come off.  While your in there, might as well replace the hoses too.  

[sgtslag]

Correct on the timing belts.  These are excellent bikes if properly cared for.  It will last for 100k miles, easily, if all is solid.  It sounds like you have an excellent grasp of what, and how, to restore this fine example of its era.  I would suggest dumping the air-assisted front/rear suspension, as it is a real hassle to deal with maintaining proper air pressure within both systems.

I see it has the OEM Honda luggage, complete with the trunk.  Does it have the snap-on passenger back rest for the trunk?  If any of that stuff needs to be re-upholstered, it can be done.  There are companies in most communities which can do the work for you -- anybody who can upholster car seats, can do the bike's backrest.

If you are interested in a driver's backrest for it, I have a Wing backrest I picked up years ago, hoping to adapt it to my 750 -- then we purchased our Voyager (had a driver's backrest), and the project evaporated.  I would part with it for the cost of shipping (no idea what it will cost, if interested, I will check into it).

There are passenger arm rests (universal, really) available on e-Bay:  brand new, aftermarket, really quite good, and effective.  Just search for "GL1100 Arm Rests".  I bought a pair, mounted them on my 750, then transferred them to my Voyager -- love them!

Don't know if you are a chrome junky, but you can virtually cover that thing, top to bottom, with chrome.  Please, fix the innards first, then go crazy with the chrome...  Had a friend with the same bike.  He developed a near-fatal case of Chrome-itus:  spent all of his money on chrome, ignored maintenance, and something broke, the front wheel locked, and he crashed.  He suffered some cracked ribs, and a concussion (no helmet).  Bike has been sitting in a heap, for nearly three years, while he is still trying to figure out what to do with it.  Cheers!

[shinyribs]

Congrats on the new ride!

That bike looks really clean. Usually I'm all for cutting in to something and modifying it to pieces. But it might be nice to have a big comfy highway cruiser. You could use the 750 for the fun stuff and this big beast can be the highway machine/grocery hauler.














































.....on second thought...CUT IT !!!! Go for the bomber!!!!!! (what the heck was i thinking?????)

[Beekeeper]

Yes, it has the small snap on pad on the trunk.  All the upholstery is intact.  No tears, seams seperating, or anything else going on there.  I probably won't be looking for anything cosmetic or comfort wise for a while.  I appreciate the offer and I'll sure give a yell if I go that direction.

[easyrider12]

BeeKeeper,  My dad has the 83 version of your bike.  It is in such imaculate shape being garaged in NFLD where the summer is short, (he still cranks out the tunes on the tapedeck).  I wandered onto an oldwing site where they are even using VW carbs to feed the cylinders off a manifold.   neet stuff, so many wings out there for sale right now, but many parts to these monsters,   good luck with yours,  you can't go wrong (I want one now)

[Beekeeper]

There are lots of them for sale around here too.  I have been looking at wings and Valkyries for months and finally grabbed one up.  I think being all stove up after a long ride on the F convinced me.  Anyway,  been studying the belt replacement procedure, and looking at the FSM.   Lots to do, and difficult to get started in this 100 degree heat.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Perferated bovine!! How did I miss this?
SHE'S A BEAUTY... and at only 10K miles still a lot of miles to go, barely broke in!
couple tips for ya.
#1. CHANGE THOSE BELTS! I'll post the modern cogged belt cross ref number that you can get at any auto parts store. The 30 year old Honda ones get brittle sitting on the shelf.
2. www.ngwclub.com, best info on the net for these old 4 Cyl 'wings
3. There is also a Napa hose that when cut gets you both radiator hose needed...Cheap!
4. ALWAYS close the petcock when parked... and use the center stand for anything more than a short stop.
5. Although most dresser GL's are loaded with chrome accessories, stay away from the chrome engine covers that go from the valve covers back. They are nicknamed "stator cookers" for a reason.
 
I am sure there is more to come, I'll be back once I get home.

[Beekeeper]

Hey thanks HD.  I've been going through page after page on the goldwingfacts site looking for the information on that hose.  I found the NBH 250274 belt number on the Napa site, but its an order from the warehouse, so was waiting until I found the hose number.  About all I've done so far is flushed the front brakes, and pulled the bags off.  Got some tires on the way, but really kinda jumped the gun on that.  When I pull the tires for mounting, will probably do the seals and progressive springs.  I'd really like to firm that front end up and loose the air.  I'll bookmark the wing site you listed and start reading tonight.  I was looking at the local street bike parts listing site, and someone has listed a new lift table!    Good thing they didn't offer a free case of beer with it, or I'd probably be on my way to pick that dang thing up too!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Here ya go... knew I had it somehwere. Had to dig out my flash stick. The prices listed were at my local Napa 4 years ago so they should be close to current pricing.

Timing Belts for GL1000 & GL1100
Note: x2 on GL1100s
Gates #T274
NAPA #250274  - $26.99
Goodyear Gatorback #40274 (AutoZone & ??)

Radiator Hoses -- Napa #7733 does both top & bottom - $16.33

Radiator Cap -- Standard style with 13 Lbs pressure, any auto supply store
NAPA/Belkamp #703-1445 or STANT #10229.

Thermostat, GL1000 and GL1100
Stant #13868
Napa #101 - $7.29

Oil Filter for GL1000 & GL1100
Napa PS4940 - $5.99

Cam Seals
Note: x2 on GL1100s
Napa #ATM 2117994, Altrom, - $6.09

Signal Flasher
NAPA #552 flasher relay, 2 pole
Tridon EL12 at most autoparts stores ~$10 electronic flasher, stops slow/fast flashing. Try the 552 first.


Spark Plugs - (1000, 1100, 1200) Stock is NGK D8ES.
D7EA or ND X22ES-U for cold climate
D8EA or ND X24ES-U for standard operation - $2.19
D9EA or ND X27ES-U for extended high speed operation


Also, here is a direct link to Naked GoldWing Clubs "Shop Talk" where a wealth of How-to's can be found. Bare in mind, these can be for any 4 cyl wing, not just our 1100, but the earlier 1000 and next generation 1200
http://www.ngwclub.com/shoptalk/

[Hoosier Daddy]

And these are the engine covers I warned you about affectionately known as "Stator Cookers"... I have a set packed away in a box that came on a parts bike I named "Ol Battle Axe", what a beast that thing was! But they do appeal to the unknowing and get good money on e-bay from time to time so I saved them. Just can't bring myself to sell them in good conscience.

 

[Beekeeper]

Great list Hoosier Daddy, thank you.  I'll print it off and hang it in the garage next to my torque values pages for the F.  Maybe one of those guys that did the poor boy conversion will want those covers.  This old girl reminds of a saying from  my bar hopping days.  She's one of "The big old good ones and the good old big ones."   Hell, I haven't even started working on the thing and already daydreaming about throwing the gear on board and heading into the mountains.