First timer

[Rlind177]

Just bought myself a 1981 GL1100I with 45k on it. Never embarked on a journey like this before, but I’m pretty mechanical, and looking forward to customizing something. Going through Roady’s Front Engine Renewal Project. Water pump was already replaced, and there was no thermostat. Maybe there was a problem with overheating before? Rebuilt the brake calipers also, and bled the lines. The bore had this thick clay like stuff in the bottoms, and idea what would cause that? And how to I prevent it in the future?

[Sugs]

Welcome to the site!

[desertrefugee]

Welcome. Timing belts are always job one. Nothing can destroy a motor faster than a broken belt. It happens a lot. Do them.

[delling3]

Gray stuff forms when brake fluid gets contaminated with water. One reason to flush your brake fluid as part of regular maintenance.

Welcome to the club. Post some pictures when you can.

[TNTbefree]

Welcome to the club. Also, Start a build thread with lots of pics. We love it, and so will you, as a record of all that you have done.

[Track T 2411]

Welcome from Wisconsin. I'm kind of partial to 1100's, myself. It has been my experience that if the bike had cooling issues (like a bad water pump), the p.o. often would try to get around the proper fix by removing the thermostat and/or add a switch to the cooling fan circuit to bypass the thermo switch, or hot wire the fan to run all the time. Fix it right, and you should be good to go! Enjoy the ride!

[robin1731]

welcome aboard.
Put a thermostat in it. An engine will run warmer with no thermostat installed. The coolant needs time in the radiator to pull the heat from it. Removing the thermostat doesn't allow that.

[Rat]

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Lots of good stuff here.

Gord

[Rlind177]

Welcome. Timing belts are always job one. Nothing can destroy a motor faster than a broken belt. It happens a lot. Do them.

Definitely doing the timing belts, got the radiator pulled out, and the covers pulled off. Just waiting for the belts to get here on Monday.

[Rlind177]

Welcome from Wisconsin. I'm kind of partial to 1100's, myself. It has been my experience that if the bike had cooling issues (like a bad water pump), the p.o. often would try to get around the proper fix by removing the thermostat and/or add a switch to the cooling fan circuit to bypass the thermo switch, or hot wire the fan to run all the time. Fix it right, and you should be good to go! Enjoy the ride!

I did install a thermostat. I don’t see any switch for the fan, although I suppose it could have been on the fairing. I haven’t ridden it long enough to get the coolant up to temp. Just a quick test ride before I bought it.

[Track T 2411]

Welcome from Wisconsin. I'm kind of partial to 1100's, myself. It has been my experience that if the bike had cooling issues (like a bad water pump), the p.o. often would try to get around the proper fix by removing the thermostat and/or add a switch to the cooling fan circuit to bypass the thermo switch, or hot wire the fan to run all the time. Fix it right, and you should be good to go! Enjoy the ride!

I did install a thermostat. I don’t see any switch for the fan, although I suppose it could have been on the fairing. I haven’t ridden it long enough to get the coolant up to temp. Just a quick test ride before I bought it.

Cool. You might want to test the thermo switch while you've got it all apart. They do go bad, and it's easier to get to it now. I don't remember if that's covered in Roady's write-up, or not.

[Rlind177]

Wondering if anyone knows what this is?

It fell when I was removing the radiator. Can’t tell where it’s supposed to go back. It is threaded inside.

[chewy999]

Not sure, but is it one of the anchor points for one of the bolts holding the radiator in place? What else have you taken off in that area?

[chewy999]

Just clutching at straws, but has it fallen off item 7 here, https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-gl1100-gold ... vdb2eSG99A

[CYBORG]

I think its item #9