1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

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FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#46

Post by FrontRunner »

I'm still around, been a busy couple of months so the GL hasn't made major progress, but it is making some. I had forgotten how when you start a project, life likes to throw you some things to impede your progress. I may even add another bike or 2 to the fleet as time moves along. Today I was getting ready to take off from a rest area along the interstate when a nice older couple stopped to chat. One thing led to another and by the time they left they had given me an address and phone number to contact them about 2 84 Aspencades 1 running and 1 not (head gasket) for a fair price as a package deal.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#47

Post by FrontRunner »

Tomorrow I'm going to see a man about a set of Honda Bags and a Vetter Fairing. Progress will soon start on my project. I may not make my goal of riding it next spring. I've decided to go ahead and buy a gasket set for the motor and to order Randakks carb kit and video. I know the fairing covers up the nakedness of the bike but it also answers the questions I had about what head light and turn signal combo I'll run on the front. That leaves the matter of what to run on the rear. I have the stock tail light but not the signals.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#48

Post by FrontRunner »

Small steps forward, got the fairing, the bags and the brackets home. The fairing is missing its lowers but the ones off of my other Windjammer appear to fit and I'm going to try moving the radio box over as well. This fairing is a windjammer 4 and the other one is a 5 i believe. Also picked up a new set of bars and grips that are more to my liking.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
heraldhamster
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#49

Post by heraldhamster »

nice!
so you can keep the matching blue Windjammer?
sorta bulldogged custom 1978 GL1000 - "geekster"
full Vetter dress 1979 GL1000 - "Barge" (currently down)
1986 1200 Aspencade - "Heart of Gold" - daily rider
1990 1500 Aspencade - It's ALIVE! but very, very naked. not in a good way.
1978 for $100 - project in worx
1978 from a previous member here - taking up space
my original '79 bought in '91 - replacing engine (eventually, maybe someday)

H2G2=42

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FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#50

Post by FrontRunner »

heraldhamster wrote:nice!
so you can keep the matching blue Windjammer?
I decided to scavenge all the usable parts off the blue one and dispose of the main body of the fairing The lowers will be saved and moved over to the other fairing and at some point the whole thing will get a matching paint job. The Blue fairing was in pretty rough shape. The lowers and the radio box did make the cut. I saved all the hardware and even pulled the wiring all out of it. The fairing body itself was bad enough that I trashed it. The other one is in much better condition and is worth saving.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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CrazyJerry
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#51

Post by CrazyJerry »

A build in progress is like a really great movie! Keep up the good work!
-
~CrazyJerry~
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#52

Post by FrontRunner »

Right now we are at the part of the movie where things slow down. I'm working a lot of overtime and if it keeps up I may just find enough cash to get moving forward again soon. I'm planning to work about 4x12 hour days of my 8 day break this time around. I may keep doing overtime through March. Not getting rich but I'm going to be a lot less broke next year than I have for awhile. We may even see a vacation at some point.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#53

Post by FrontRunner »

Life decided to throw a few curves at me for awhile but it is time to get back on track and start working on the Wing some more. Just ordered a complete gasket set and a few small items from Randakk's and am ready to start moving forward. I have the luxury of time and have my Kawasaki to ride in the mean time. The Wing most likely wont see the road this season. I don't have to rush. I'm still working at the same place but I've seen the 5th out of the 6 people I've trained move on to better paying jobs. The 6th got himself fired. I couldn't help him. I'm doing my best to move on to a better paying job myself before I train another person who leaves for more money. Had an interview last week for a job paying $15 more an hour than my current pay. I'm very interested in that job.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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Track T 2411
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#54

Post by Track T 2411 »

Good luck with the potential job! And keep plugging away at the wing. As you say, it isn't going anywhere, and will be waiting for you. I seem to run into the same problems with every bike project I start, lol!
"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.
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#55

Post by FrontRunner »

Well my employment hasn't changed, but I have gotten to spend some time in the garage recently. I've made some progress, Took the motor out of the frame,pulled the heads off, changed the water pump, removed stator/clutch cover, cleaned and painted all the covers and the block. Got some more work to do. Planning on digging a little deeper into the heads, it's been about 20 years since I've done a valve job on anything but I still remember how. I'll get some pictures posted soon. Replacing a lot of hardware as I go, I'm not going to put any of the JIS screws back. Still in no hurry but at least I've got my hands dirty and am enjoying the work, that's what projects are for.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#56

Post by FrontRunner »

Fast forward. As with a lot of projects life had plenty of curves to throw at us since my last post. Not much happened with the bike for a long period of time due to many things. Medical bills pile up, deaths in the family, and then as things started to settle down. I had just started getting back to normal life when Covid became a thing. Any way here we are in 2021 and my situation is much better than it's been for a few years.

I move several things from my want list to my, went ahead and bought it list. The GL got the green light financially a couple of months back and we are now waiting on me to get the work done. As of now I have the wheels off and am preparing to dismantle the forks for the final time. I have decided what lights I'm going to use and mocked them up. Need to finish the carbs, 3 done and my new float for the 4th is here on my desk as of this morning. Carbs need finished and put on. All new cables except the tach. Brakes need rebuilt but I have the kits and just gotta do the work, New Front master cylinder from David Silver Spares with the new pressure activated brake light switch, Galfer stainless braided lines. Exhaust is on. Wiring cleanup has begun. Tires will be bought this week, Battery still needs bought but I'm ready for it. Por 15 kit for fuel tank is ready. New Progressive shocks are on. Considering buying new fork springs. Lots of work to do and the main hold up right now is me getting the work done.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#57

Post by FrontRunner »

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1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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Rat
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#58

Post by Rat »

July 22 ... bbq at Greg’s ... then 23,24 and a bit of 25 ...

Gord
"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
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#59

Post by FrontRunner »

Tires..........Went to pick up my wheels from the local shop today only to find out that the tires they ordered me were not right, The got 2 fronts and no rear. The rear wasn't available in the right size to match the front. Ended up going with Bridgestone BT-46's I had originally asked for the BT-45's Randakk's blog recommended. I don't know anything about the BT-46's except they are the replacement for the bt-45's. Atleast I'm not stuck settling for the Dunlops they wanted to sell me.
So it's a good thing I'm not ready to put them on yet. I spent 6.5 hours last Friday on the inside finish of the gas tank. I had previously derusted my tank with muriatic acid and oiled it to prevent it from flash rusting. flushed the oil out with plenty of solvent. Then used the Por-15 Fuel tank cleaner, then the prep, then the sealer. Now to finish the outside of it and get it in the frame.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#60

Post by FrontRunner »

Had a busy week, Got a little work done but never as much as I'd like. Gas tank is now in place. Rear fender is on. Tail light wiring is sorted (had been hacked up for add on lighting). Charging system wiring is cleaned up and stator wires are now connected. The Regulator/Rectifier set up is not stock, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, It worked before so I'm gonna run it. Starter solenoid wiring will need sorted. I never realized how busy my life is before I had a project bike again to work on. Of course if I would quit going riding on my other bike long enough to finish the GL. I'd be still going to pick up the tires finally tomorrow.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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