BugHunter Takes on the GL1000 -78

[BugHunter]

Welcome to a GL1000 -78 restoration project where I hope to share some experiences and of course get some hints and recommendations and heap of greetings.


I will introduce the project in a few adds under this topic soon.

//BugHunter

[BugHunter]

OK let’s get started!
Spring is all ready here but I would not bet to have my GL1000 on the roads for this year.
History way back in -93:
Well it did not turn out better than my car took fire in the garage in the middle of the night. It was an Opel Berlina Diesel that got an electrical problem ending up in a disaster. It was total damaged by the fire.

So here it begins like an old love story.
Early in February in -93 I found an advertisement in the local news paper that an Honda GL1000 -78. That was not in the best condition but we got the price done to a bargain price.

It was well equipped for touring that was our goal to take some longer trips.
All ready at that time it was rusty. I remember that I fixed the rust on the rear mudguard that still today looks good on the inside.
Also the console for the rear light and battery console repainted.

We also put on an electrical ignition system that made the engine to run much better.

After some trips, the farest to Rome in Italy almost 2000Km (1200miles) one way it was put put of duty in a barn.

Now after approximate 15 year I started to look after it in my new build garage that hop fully will be the home location for most part of the renovation.

It was not many nice surprises I discovered but first I got hold of Haynes 309 Owners Workshop Manual over the intranet.

My first inspection found following:
- Rust in petrol tank
- Not working start engine
Also I found out that the right rear exhaust port looked strange.
When removed the exhaust pipe I discovered crystal buildups in rusty brown color.
After I removed the spark plug I found the same thing.

This does not look good to me!
Is the exhaust piston port damaged and has it been caused by a broken gasket leading to the water channels.

Well some ideas has come to my mind but to get the engine running would probably not make it worse. That would give me the opportunity to hear how it runs and the possibility to take a compression test.

[BugHunter]

Found a new start engine to good price that is ordered.
Also new oil and air filter is on its way.

I have taken the decision to try to start the engine and see what the status of the cylinders as soon I have received the start engine.
A compression test might be valuable to see the condition of each cylinder.

Well that the core part and there is need for body work for the rest.
Will see as son the gear arrives.

//BugHunter

[sunnbobb]

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out there Bug.

[BugHunter]

Hi Finally alive again after several years of rest!

Let's take it from the beginning.
New start engine arrived that I got in place after opening the frame on left side. After putting back some vital parts and arranging for a temporary petrol tank and external battery we were ready.

We where most concerned of right back cylinder top that I told you had a severe corrosion of roust.

With a few tries clearing out the old petrol and getting new fresh into each cylinder it soon gave response on all cylinders. Only having exhaust pipes mounted we could monitor each cylinder. By pulling the R.P.M. to a couple of thousen suddenly my right leg standing on the left side of the engine just behind the exhaust pipe, a blast of fire touched my pants.
Wow what an action, I just wish I got it with a camera.

Well it is probably a throttle problem with a needle hanging so petrol is overflowing the cylinder spitting it out.

So I guess a next thing is to go through the carburetors.
Looking at each spark plug the where dry and clean at the head that proves that each cylinder has been working.

Nice to see that the replaced electronic ignition still works after many years.

Feels good to pass this stage verifying the basic engine seems to be OK!


//BugHunter

[rcmatt007]

sounds great... I still think the 78 is the best looking 1000

[BugHunter]

Thanks for your greetings to my project,I need them.

Well I managed to get over some good parts for my project here in Sweden at Spinning Wheel MC dissembler company.

The shopping list looked like this in the end:
Tank Console with vinyl top (no side covers) 800:-
Air box Filter Case ~500:-
Comstar Rear wheel rim 1200:-
New Side mirrors 370:-
New Front direction indicators 400:-
New Brake pads 2x2 front and 2 back 400:-

25% Discount
2850:-

It was a one stop shopping that was nice and the part was in good condition.
He said he had have bidders from Finland so it seems to be high attraction for GL1000 parts here in Scandinavia.

Hope now when fall comes more time will be spent in the garage but it has to wait some more weeks as it get darker in the evening and it nicer to be inside.

Keep you updated!

//BugHunter

[Whiskerfish]

WOW that is a lot of money! Keep us informed on your progress!!

[sunnbobb]

Maybe in Kroners?

[Cookie]

66 US dollars to 400K.

[BugHunter]

Sorry for not posting currency but yes it is SEK, Kronor.

That makes 2850SEK to 387,40 USD today.

Would you judge the price level to be radical diffrent in US?

//BugHunter

[starket]

yes it is higher than the US. I would guess 50-100% higher if you shop around in the US. Based on Old Fogey's experience in the UK, I would say you are not doing to bad for Europe and the rarity of these bikes there.

[Cookie]

If things aren't very large so the shipping cost kills the advantage, sometimes you can save by having a US friend but and ship to you.

[BugHunter]

Yeah thanks’ I am planning to come over to the US in a just in a few weeks to Illinois and US west most of my stay. Love to visit Randakk’s in Chapel Hill , NC if I got the chance.

I will of course look for parts to my restoration project while I am there to better prices that I can get back home. Later this summer when I get back from the US the plan is to get things rolling again, haven’t been so active on the forum as planned, among other things I got a job change in December last year that’s changed my project schedule once again.

Any way the goal is to get the frame clean to get it in for powder coating before the winter.

So the down mounting has started and goes smooth it will be a different story to get all parts back in renovated condition.

So things I need to get hold of are:
- Clutch Cover to the back of the engine including gasket an rubber bushing and the metal cylinders for mounting screw.
- Sealing washer 2 -off to each exhaust port, total six.
- Fuel filter with reinforced rubber hoses from fuel tank to filter and from filter fuel pump to fuel pump and hose clamp for each end, total 4
- Reinforced rubber house from fuel pump to carburetor
- Head lam rear cover called head lamp shell
- Flashing indicator mounting screw attachments to front fork, left and right side
- Spark plugs NGK D8EA or equal ND X 24ES-U, 4-off
- Exhaust system silencer left and right with balance pipe.
- Honda Bandage on cylinder head cover, blue of black
- Trye front 3.50 -19 57 H Tubeless
- Tyre back 130/90-17 74 H

Well this list can be made longer the more I dig into this restoration project but hope to get some good advice from you all where I can find needed parts. My biggest concern is the exhaust system if I will get it in original to a decent price. So more than welcome to help ......

My is a 1978 1000K3 to find correct fitting parts.

That's all for now, thanks!

//BugHunter

[Whiskerfish]

Randakk does not have a store front as such. When are you coming over exactly? 20-30 of us will be getting together in Ohio on the weekend of 10-11 July at a Giant bike gathering/ swap meet.