And then I noticed this!

[Wildfire1]

Hi guys. Well I picked up a naked 1980 GL1100 yesterday. It was a round trip of three hours but it was a fun day. The bike works and runs like a Rolex watch. Nothing wrong with the carbs which was a real surprise. Checked the time ping belts and they even look new. Dry rot on the tires and a couple of caliber kits will do the old guy good. That being said when I took the faux tank and seat off looking for trouble I noticed the two CDI units. They looked as if they got a bit warm at some point because I could see the insulation running on the frame. As I said. The bike runs perfectly so I suspect this was an issue from another time that was rectified. Here's a few photos. Tell e what you think. Maybe grounds?
https://flic.kr/p/X7F2TQ
https://flic.kr/p/XMqMKu
https://flic.kr/p/Yb5Eyt
https://flic.kr/p/Xa67PR
https://flic.kr/p/XMqMAS
https://flic.kr/p/X7ELzy

[desertrefugee]

Welcome!

Looks like a nice one. But, as folks here will always tell you, do the timing belts. They might look "fine" but still be 20 years old. If it runs as well as you say, keep it that way by doing the belts. Tires are dry rotted? Think about the potential age of those belts.

If you don't know when they were done, they should be done.

<<Preach mode off>>

[Sagebrush]

The CDI units on the 80-81 melt. The 82-83s do not. It looks a mess but does not hinder the function of them. Some folks repot them with epoxy.

[TNTbefree]

Welcome to the club.First thing to do... As stated... The belts. Congrats!

[Wildfire1]

Welcome!

Looks like a nice one. But, as folks here will always tell you, do the timing belts. They might look "fine" but still be 20 years old. If it runs as well as you say, keep it that way by doing the belts. Tires are dry rotted? Think about the potential age of those belts.

If you don't know when they were done, they should be done.

<<Preach mode off>>

Thanks. Will do them when I pull the motor in a week or so.

[Wildfire1]

The CDI units on the 80-81 melt. The 82-83s do not. It looks a mess but does not hinder the function of them. Some folks repot them with epoxy.

Thanks I didn't know that. I'll do the epoxy thingy as well. I got doing some more sniffing around the area and found this with one coil
https://flic.kr/p/Y8tRg3

[Track T 2411]

IMHO, I think bad grounds do have something to do with the CDI units melting. That said, they mostly seem to survive. Regarding the coils, there are a few options, but if you go with used 1100 coils, 80-81's are different than 82-83. Just an FYI... Nice looking bike!

[Wildfire1]

IMHO, I think bad grounds do have something to do with the CDI units melting. That said, they mostly seem to survive. Regarding the coils, there are a few options, but if you go with used 1100 coils, 80-81's are different than 82-83. Just an FYI... Nice looking bike!

Thanks. Yup your right. They are differant. I guess I'll just order two new ones and that should do it.

http://www.saber-cycle.com/store/product1053.html#1053

[CYBORG]

your new here, so I will mention that a lot of folks here have had bad luck with that company

[Wildfire1]

your new here, so I will mention that a lot of folks here have had bad luck with that company

Oh. I've never ordered from them before. Hey seem to have some good stock.

[robin1731]

Just don't ask them any questions.

.

[CYBORG]

Real problem seems to be with their customer service....or so it has been reported by a lot of other members

[Wildfire1]

Just don't ask them any questions.

.

Where ever I place an order I never get to talk to anyone. It's all online, place the order and pay via PayPal. I take it they arnt the sharpest tool in the shed

[CYBORG]

like he said, don't ask them any questions

[ericheath]

I'll add that they advertise parts for a particular year, but send parts from earlier or later years and expect you to adapt it. Throttle cables, clutch cables, brake lines are specific to some years. Sometimes the ends are different. Trying to explain it to SaberCycle is a waste of time. Everything is what it says in "their" book. Maybe they've changed, but I won't mess with them anymore.