New to me 83 GL1100 Aspencade stripping into a naked wing

[abo1787]

I've picked up the bike noted above, and have been lurking / using the search functionality to get my bike back on the road.

I ended up here by picking up a friend's old bike that his friend gave to him when he passed. He didn't know how to work on bikes, and wasn't comfortable doing it, and asked me if I wanted it before he junked it.

I can't pass up a challenge, and started stripping it. I've gotten all the chrome bits off but the engine, and the engine guards (not removing those for safety). I'm trying really hard to get it running again with minimal money invested. I intend for this bike to be fun, and I know at 136k even for an "oldwing" she's still got a little life. I'm trying to pull out that last bit. I plan to keep this bike and enjoy it until the engine / tranny finally goes. Then I'll likely donate this one to someone that could use the parts, or just scrap it if it's too much damage.

Currently I've done:
timing belts
carb clean and rebuild and bench sync
pumped out gas tank, found no leaks, but can't remove the rust, so just riding with it and will be swapping fuel filters frequently
Full oil change and filter, and seals (my oil drain plug was nicely stripped out of the hole by the PO. Going to be getting that rethreaded and put back in. Currently sealing pretty well, but drips a few drops every now and then.)
Air filter
plugs
and then just generally cleaned everything else out.

I went through the oldwing startup guide. Thanks, that guide was awesome, and a lifesaver.
I've got a shop manual


Things I need:
fork seals are toast
running boards were rusted through (looking for pegs to replace them)
"towing" gear was all rusty and pitted. removed to save weight.
Front faring was fully functional but I don't like the way it looked, it's removed along with all the other body panels.
Change oil in rear end
fill tank with gas
change fuel filter after first runthrough
New tires (tires were installed in 2006 when bike was last inspected)
rear brake master is frozen solid. Front was replaced.

Other stuff:
This bike has a ton of old parts that I just don't need anymore. If there is a local winger that could use some of them, I'm sure we could work out a deal. The bike was free to me, I'm not looking to make any money on it. Just get the parts I need to get it on the road.

20190112_160808.jpg (116.76 KiB) Viewed 588 times

Here is my girl after taking the seat off.

[Track T 2411]

Welcome from Wisconsin! Looks pretty solid. Just a thought, if three floorboards have rust issues, you might want to do a thorough check for rust on the frame. There are a few areas that are prone to rust damage. The removable frame section (where the side stand attaches), the frame crossmember that the center stand mounts to, and the half - moon shaped areas where the swing arm bolts on come to mind.
You also might want to add your general location to your profile so we know if we might be 'local'...

[Jonesz]

Here is a bit of the project I did on my 83 Aspencade about a year ago.Was just out in the shop yesterday putting in new brake pads and changing out all the old fluid. You will like your bike when you are done.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=64791

[5speed]

welcome.

[Rat]

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Looks like you have a good start .... put your location in so we know where you are ....

Gord

[Sugs]

Welcome to the site!

[rcmatt007]

welcome to NGW

[abo1787]

Thanks all for the welcomes. I've updated my location, and appreciate the things to look at.

I'm still tearing things apart, and trying to make sure I have a functional wing under all that dust and oil I was able to take it out into the warm air finally and let it come to temperature.

Also got the rear tail light / signals hooked up, and am trying to figure out how to retrofit the old headlight onto a bracket with new signals.

Still can't find a set of pegs ... they're CRAZY expensive for front pegs lol. And I've officially confirmed my rear master cylinder is a gonner

As you can tell I'm not very active just because of time restrictions, but thanks everyone and I'll be lurking more and more. Maybe will catch some locals at a meet if I can get this thing running

[rcmatt007]

there are a lot of us who "time restrictions" mean projects take a lot of time.

[Jonesz]

Still can't find a set of pegs ... they're CRAZY expensive for front pegs lol. And I've officially confirmed my rear master cylinder is a gonner

Amazing how much things cost that used to be thrown in the trash, headlight buckets, ears to mount headlights, turn signals and YES front pegs!! At one time a set of floor boards was the answer. Last year I paid 50 bux Canadian for a set of drivers pegs. Best money I ever spent on "Freki". She is so much nicer to shift and brake without those godawful boards.

[newday777]

Howdy abo1787

I also have an 83 Aspencade. They are a fine ride indeed. I did a total restoration on it in 2009 when I rescued it from a chicken coop de wings(a friend had a coop he rented to store wings in that he purchased for parts and restoration but hadn't gotten to this one).
It had slept for over 13 years. Original owner had layed it down at 35 mph and parked it in his garage here in SoCal. We checked that the motor was free and not locked up, so we loaded on my friend's trailer and put it in my garage and I stripped it down for a total cleaning of the desert dust and grime.
3 1/2 months later I took it for a ride. I rode it for a year and a half and gave it to a pastor when another friend left me his 1500.
3 1/2 years later the pastor asked me if I knew anyone looking for an 83 as he wanted to buy a boat to fish so I bought it back. It's been a slow process this time around as life has had a few bumps since. But I'm hoping to have enough money this winter to bring it back to life again.

[Jonesz]

Welcome back newday777.

[newday777]

Welcome back newday777.

Thanks Jonesz. I pop in every now and then......