Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

Moderators: Brant, Sagebrush, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
maintainer
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 163
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2015 2:41 pm

Re: Found this nice '78 today...

#31

Post by maintainer »

At least the good deal on a clean bike went to someone in desperate need of a motorcycle. (seething with sarcasm) :P

Seriously, congrats you don't find 'em cosmetically in that nice of condition often. I know that sometimes pictures actually camouflage true condition sometimes. It does look like a nice starting point for a restoration at a good price. Sometimes it's better to pay a little more up front (not that that is high)than spending so much for a massive list of restoration parts. Don't ask me how I know. ;)
User avatar
Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15457
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Found this nice '78 today...

#32

Post by Rat »

Major DEAL !!!!

Gord action1 :mrgreen: action1
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: Found this nice '78 today...

#33

Post by rcmatt007 »

next time I expect TOM to tell my wife it is okay to bring home another project shakehands
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
duke182
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3375
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:33 pm
My Album: http://ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/duke182/
Location: hope,ark

Re: Found this nice '78 today...

#34

Post by duke182 »

Glad to see it worked out in your favor.
God bless those who protect our freedom, at every level

Knees in the breeze makes miles of smiles

"Strive for progress, not perfection"-a wise man

1984 1200 standard
Image
click pic to see my gallery

vote in my poll
User avatar
tomk1960
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1001
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:54 am
Location: Worcester, MA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#35

Post by tomk1960 »

Brought the bike into my shop this afternoon and got it up on the lift. I spent a fair amount of time just walking around, taking it all in.

Image
The first thing I will do is pull the radiator and prepare for belt replacement. New Gates belts are due to arrive Sunday (Free Sunday shipping - thanks Amazon Prime!) and if they arrive early enough, I hope to install them.

I'll drain what little gas is left in there and pour in some fresh gas. In the meantime, once those new belts are in place, I just might try to start it.
Last edited by tomk1960 on Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#36

Post by rcmatt007 »

looks like air shocks on the rear
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#37

Post by Track T 2411 »

That light, powdery rust can be just as much of a PITA... you might consider a good soak with vinegar or CLR solution before using the tank. If you're really intent on starting it, just hook up a remote tank and go for it!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
tomk1960
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1001
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:54 am
Location: Worcester, MA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#38

Post by tomk1960 »

Now that my '77 is gone, I can focus my efforts on this one. It will be going on the lift soon for some surgery. Just sitting in my shop, the tank developed a leak over the summer. I have a nice one on the shelf that will go in, along with a spare swingarm that I already powder coated. New braided brake lines will be installed when I rebuild the entire brake system. I already powder coated the calipers and master cylinders. Carbs will be going out to Mike Nixon for a full overhaul. The front end will come off for new seals and powder, and I think I'm going to switch the bars over to a set that came off of a CB1100F. I'm thinking that I might replace the steering stem races and bearings since they're pretty easy to do. While the wheels are off for new tires, I will install new AllBalls bearings. That's routine for every resurrection that I do now. I would love to find a nice set of Lester mags to replace the Comstars, but that could be a challenge.

One question - I have a nice OEM exhaust for the bike, but I also have a nice set of Sportster mufflers. I understand that that the sporty mufflers have more of a growl and I like how they look on these bikes. Should I go with those instead? The bike will be mostly stock, but why not give it a couple of nice little mods? I think the lower bars will make a difference in how it looks too.

Tom
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#39

Post by desertrefugee »

I always thought the original GL mufflers were too quiet. I have been very happy with my decision to go with the Sportster pipes - even though a lowered, slightly customized naked GL1000 DOES look really nice with the factory pipes out back. Just not enough of an exhaust note for my taste.

I especially like the sound of the Sportster mufflers on the GL at idle.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24538
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#40

Post by CYBORG »

I agree about the sportster mufflers. I'm putting a set on my 1200, with no cross over pipe. But I do love the sound of "off the headers". I have to make some custom connector pipes so the ends of the mufflers extend a couple of inches beyond the bags
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
tomk1960
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1001
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:54 am
Location: Worcester, MA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#41

Post by tomk1960 »

Back in August, the tank in this bike started leaking without warning. Somewhere there's a rusted-through spot. The swingarm is going to be coming off anyway, so replacing the tank won't be an issue. I was given what was supposed a "solid" tank by a local Harley shop, with the plan to provide some powder coating services in exchange. I media blasted the tank the other night and was surprised to find a number of small holes where it rusted through just below one of the pickup screens. The inside of the tank is virtually rust free, so this was unexpected. Anyway, a patch was welded on and it was leak tested to make sure it would hold fuel. I brought it home and after blasting and washing, powder coated it in gloss black.

Next up will be the wheels. I plan to PC them in metallic gold to go with the original gold pinstriping. I think they'll look really good with the burgundy bodywork.
Last edited by tomk1960 on Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#42

Post by rcmatt007 »

that will almost make it a 78 LTD!
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
sunnbobb
Facebook Admin
Facebook Admin
Posts: 21272
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:09 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/sunnbobb/
Location: LaConner, WA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#43

Post by sunnbobb »

Old style Munro airshocks are interesting. I would say it's worth between 800 and 1200, maybe. The rotten muffler joint might mean you need a new muffler, and they aren't cheap. That said, with your skills, the repair labor is going to be reduced. I don't think I would find a cheaper one in that condition here. The OEM seat would not be that nice if the odometer had turned over. I'd say if it speaks to you, go for it. No profit to be made in a flip, but if you keep it, you will be riding it for years.
I found the end of the internet

---- Bradshaw Bikes custom polishing for your wing. Visit us on facebook!

1978 Learning Experience
1980 County Road Hauler "Brain Damage"
1978 Cafe Custom Gl1000 "Vyper"
1977 Bulldog Inspired "Vaincre"
1981 Street Fighter GL1100 "No Quarter"
1983 Supercharged Street Drag "Anubis" (in worx)
1983 gl1100 mint restoration "Kristen"
1985 Aspencade..pondering.
User avatar
tomk1960
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1001
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:54 am
Location: Worcester, MA

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#44

Post by tomk1960 »

I thought that the Comstars would look a lot nicer in metallic gold, so I powder coated the rear wheel this morning. My girlfriend (the color expert) thought it was a great idea and we both really like the look of the gold wheels with the gold pinstriping. Too bad that huge rotor hides so much of my hard work!

Image

I'll do the front wheel in the next week or two, install new bearings, and then they'll be ready for new tubes and tires.
Last edited by tomk1960 on Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
User avatar
Sugs
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1069
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:12 pm
Location: Springfield, MO

Re: Found this nice '78 and now the resurrection begins...

#45

Post by Sugs »

Yeah, looks good but the rotors kinda ruin it. Maybe getting them drilled would help.
_______________________

'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Members Restorations and Projects”