1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

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FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#16

Post by FrontRunner »

https://www.amavintagemotorcycledays.com/I'll be looking forward to seeing you there. I'm only going to get to go on Friday this year. I've got a family thing going on Saturday afternoon.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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robin1731
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#17

Post by robin1731 »

rcmatt007 wrote:when is that? I need to get out on two-wheels.... even if it is on Beth's bike

I would answer but I see you already found it. ;)

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
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Liam
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#18

Post by Liam »

I like that blue. At some point I will be looking for a 78 and that blue is my colour.
I do have a 78 for restoration but it is in very poor shape. It may end up being a donor.
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#19

Post by FrontRunner »

I've always had a thing for blue and this is close to the shade I like but I just happened to buy a blue one. It would have still got bought in almost any color. My Kawasaki was the color scheme I liked better of the 2 offered that year, but The deciding factor was that of the 2 bikes on the showroom floor it was the fuel injected one and the black one was carbed. So I got the Red/Silver one. I'll probably end up painting this one back to a similar shade of blue but for now it's all about getting it running and riding right and finding all the pieces I need. Then I'll get the paint squared away. I've never done automotive style paint work but I did a lot of painting on an assembly line. I'm tempted to do it myself but then again I know a couple of good painters and they would probably do a better job. That won't need to happen for awhile. I've got 2 broken side covers that I need to replace.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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rcmatt007
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#20

Post by rcmatt007 »

I would have much preferred the blue when I bought my 78. However, Honda was still reacting to a glut on the MC market in the mid 70's and so choices were limited. A lot of dealers were only getting one GL at a time. The 78's came in black (which mine was), blue, and what I always called "root beer". Blues were snatched up!
-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
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#21

Post by FrontRunner »

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Started on the timing belts today but stopped due to a heavy thunderstorm. Too dark and hot in the garage without power for lights and fans. I did get a couple of pics once the covers came off and I also made it as far as checking the water pump and replacing the thermostat. It looks better under those covers than I had expected. Nice shiny springs on the tensioners and what look to be not terribly old belts. I'm in there so they are outta there but at least I see signs of former maintenance instead of total neglect.
I also pulled all 4 spark plugs and from what they showed cylinders 1,2 and 3 look rich, #4 looks good. Carb rebuild was on the list anyway.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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Liam
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#22

Post by Liam »

Great stuff. Looks good, very little in the lines of corrosion.
Generally when I am doing timing belts on any of these 4 cylinder wings
I open the 2 bolts and split the water pump inlet instead of wrestling with or disturbing the hose.
It is easier to get the radiator off then or just swing it out of the way slightly leaving the top hose connected.
It then provides access to the water pump impeller so it can be checked.
There is just a simple o ring seal there.
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rcmatt007
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#23

Post by rcmatt007 »

on the first couple of years the timing belt covers did not have the little drainage areas that the later ones had. When I picked up my LTD there were rust lines across the timing belt pulleys.... fortunately not as high as the tensioners.
-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
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desertrefugee
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#24

Post by desertrefugee »

Sometimes it's good to be in Arizona, where rust is rare. Even stuff left outside uncovered takes decades to really rust. Rubber and plastic stuff is another story.

It's always nice to get into a machine that's 40+ years old and be pleasantly surprised with its state of preservation and (if you're lucky) the signs of tender care it might have received. I was very lucky with my '78 - and more recently the CBX.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#25

Post by FrontRunner »

Well The belts are done, Still trying to free up the pin for the fan switch. Then it's time to put the radiator back in, which has to be done prior to filling the oil due to aftermarket dipstick tube needing to be out of the way to get the radiator in. I don't see the dipstick hanging around long before I get rid of it. For today I may be done other than cleaning up the garage and gassing up the Kawasaki for a ride tomorrow. Gonna go do some demo rides on the Yamaha's. Then take the long way home.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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desertrefugee
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#26

Post by desertrefugee »

Supertramp!

Speaking of which, why not put your home in your profile so we can get a bearing on your locale? Kinda nice to know where folks are...
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#27

Post by FrontRunner »

Just hadn't gotten it done. I took care of that.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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desertrefugee
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#28

Post by desertrefugee »

Dang. Now I'm jealous. Great rides to be had in WV.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
FrontRunner
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#29

Post by FrontRunner »

Southeastern Ohio has some good roads too. There's not too many bad choices around this area. I've been wrestling a heavy Kawasaki Nomad around this area for years so this Wing is a much lighter bike and hopefully a lot more nimble. I have 2 bikes on my list I'd like to demo this year and tomorrow I'll try out the Venture. Now to find a new GL1800 to try out.
1978 GL1000 My 1st GL Learning experience
2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500
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rcmatt007
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Re: 1978 GL1000 My 1st GL

#30

Post by rcmatt007 »

I was going to say you are close to me.... but once I google Belmont.... no, not very close
-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
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