1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

[robin1731]

"and the crankcase breather opening was plugged"

I hope you mean the hose connection at the air filter housing. You don't want to plug the vent coming out of the engine case. That has to be open for ventilation. You can just run a hose down toward the ground from that vent tube.

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[kermit]

The crankcase at the filter housing...the engine is getting a two inch by one inch breather element...
I see that you have a KZ900 the only year built...my friend just finished up his...goes great too.

[Buli]

Graet. I just love to see these pics. Kleen bikes.( mine is covered whit mud dust and dirt after 2 days riding in rain 2h sun) Best itertainment when lying in boring hotelroom .

[ericheath]

Looks nice, Kermit.

[kermit]

This morning I went for a 10 km ride to the corner gas store to fill up the tank and try out the machine. After putting the new plugs in she ran beautifully however it was a weird ride. In my haste to go for a ride, I did not check the tire pressures and realized during the ride. When I got home and checked the tires they were 10 lbs low...what an idiot....that's what you get for being in a hurry....good thing it is a 60 km limit down the road. The rear brake started to leak so I have a full kit on order. This unit was rebuilt by the PO however it sat for 5 years and again due to old age forgot to order a new one. Fronts are good. All in all just a couple of drain lines, new rear brake kit to install and the crankcase breather filter to install so another week to wait before I can inspected and certified. YAHOOO

I had to install another starter on the 78 so she would not feel left out and I am going to have to start a schedule for what bike to ride on what day, so they don't start fighting and I end up having to do bodywork

[kermit]

I rebuilt the rear brake caliper and bleed the brakes and the next thing looked down and the rear brake master cylinder started to leak. I exercised it for about ten minutes and the leak slowed to almost nothing. This morning I checked it before the 40 minute trip to work and there was about a 1/2 inch drip on the floor. I decided to order another master cylinder kit however I have also ordered a master cylinder from an 1800 and will do the change if I can not seal up the old one. I will try honing the master and see how it goes.

I took the bike and went to work, the ride turned out well and the brakes worked as normal. No drips on the pavement either, which is also good. Hopefully it will hold out for the rest of the summer and then I will address it as a winter project. The bike ran well and it starts up right away...a one second push of the starter and no choke. It is still sluggish above 5000 however there is no jerking, barking or any smoke. This condition was also on my 1978 and after the fourth run and about two full tanks, the condition cleaned up. After 30 minutes the bike was running better as well.

[kermit]

I had to run over to check a friends house about 5 km's away which has a nice straight run so decided to open it up and the bike started to hesitate a little a bit at just over 5000 rpm, then she snapped and bolted right through the revs and the bike shot up to 160 KM/S. This was the same thing with my 1978.... The bike now cleanly revs through the numbers and goes like she wants to play. Just free reving now she really goes through the short bursts with no smoke or hesitation.

I did not stay at 160 for more than 30 seconds but it was a fun 30 seconds...if you get caught here in Ontario at 50 KM over the speed limit, the price is very high including losing your ride for seven days, your insurance goes through the roof and the ticket is very expensive.....

[kermit]

I have now put a 150 kms on the bike and all is well. It is starting with no choke and no smoke and really pulls well.

One of the guys who works out of our facility just purchased a beautiful 1976 fully restored standard for $1800 Canadian which is around $1250 for the folks south of the border. The bike runs like it looks and he is a very happy camper....

Another 1980 which is a running bike, is for sale locally for $400 Canadian ($300 US) and I am really tempted, however I am trying to behave and it is hard....

[CYBORG]

Go for it!!!!

[Easter]

MBS (multiple bike syndrome ) is very contagious.

[ericheath]

It is complicated significantly by frequenting this site.

[Easter]

It is complicated significantly by frequenting this site.

And spending way too much time on Craigslist!!

[kermit]

I got a quick sms from a friend that owns a bar and he had his 1973 Honda CB350 twin outside and one of the patrons says "Hey I have a couple of those sitting around" so the next thing I know he calls me about them....well these machines have been in a closed garage since 1986....I have been looking for my wife for something cool to learn on and thought I would go look at them.....the very next night the owner shows up and drops them off at my place for $400 cash. Both have titles and sellers packages....
A brief description would be rough...very rough....however they are all there...full of corrosion and oil grim and need a pressure wash...picture a rough garage that has been unheated for 30 years stacked full of junk, type garage...

My wife says they look awful and will need a bit of work....a bit of an understatement really....however I am not going for original, I am going for cool little bike for my wife to learn on and take it around the neighbourhood bike. Something that her friends won't have and we can keep the costs to a dull roar....

The tanks look like new inside and as you can imagine, the chrome will not be chrome as it is pitted, so everything will be blasted and painted. No parts of this build will be farmed out such as powder coating or painting. The idea is to have this machine finished nicely and under $1000 max. This means new tires, brakes, cables, wiring and all the engine work done so I have my job cut out for me.

One bike is a CB and the other is a CL and the CL (1972) is the wife's pick for her ride as she likes the pipes.

[Easter]

Congrats, the perfect bike to learn on.

[kermit]

I friend asked me to go for a ride up north for a short haul and I started thinking about having to ride with a backpack (I am not a fan of riding with one) and wondered about using my Polaris soft bags off my FST. I grabbed them off the sled and put them on the bike. They fit perfect and are the right size for me. The bags look like they were made for the seat, even the seams line up. The only thing needed was the forward strap to be increased and a piece to keep the bags off the shocks. The bags are going to have a stiffener in them so I made up templates in cardboard and used it to mock up the strap system.
I also really needed a handle to lift the bike up on the center stand as I was lifting on the seat...not the best plan.

So working late at night and I want to get it done , I look around at what I had lying around and the rest just fell together. Tonight I will sew up the straps and install the clips on the foot rests...

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