Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

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JamesPal
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Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#1

Post by JamesPal »

Hi, I'm starting to get back to work on my 1100. I bought this bike from the Honda dealer in Lynnwood, Washington back in 1982. the bike had about 3,000 miles on it then. Before the turn of the century it got another 50K of enjoyment. Life changed about that time and it got put away while 10 years passed. Then in 2010 it was time to bring the old girl back to life. On June 9, 2010 she was given the first bath in many years. The engine wouldn't start and it was pretty stiff to turn over. It was pretty clear it would need a through going over to be road worthy. This is what it looked like on that day back in June:
IMG_2172_web.JPG
IMG_2172_web.JPG (156.47 KiB) Viewed 624 times
After a few months of work, it had new tires, wheel bearings, steering stem bearings, the swing arm had been removed and bearings greased, the frame carefully cleaned up and all of the rust remove and painted with Ace Hardware Oil Based Enamel (good stuff). The engine overhaul was started and I decided my skills were a little lacking. I thought the best thing would be to get a simpler bike to restore. The 1100 looked like this at that time:
IMG_2802.JPG
IMG_2802.JPG (131.97 KiB) Viewed 624 times
The simpler bike was a CB450 and it came out like this:
Jim's CB450.jpg
Jim's CB450.jpg (163.65 KiB) Viewed 624 times
Then A nice 1985 GL1200I showed on Craigslist for $500, it had been off the road for 10 years with a bad starter motor. It had to join the stable:
GL1200 Moto Oregon.jpg
GL1200 Moto Oregon.jpg (126.92 KiB) Viewed 624 times
Here is an introduction of me and the project. The brake system overhaul was started on Jan 13, 2019 (Saturday). The last third of the video shows getting started on the brakes. I hope you will share your experiences, as I am sure to learn from this forum.



For some reason I cannot embed the video, here is the link: https://youtu.be/EJj5EB8shlU
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#2

Post by JamesPal »

The rear brake master cylinder reservoir hose is toast (literally). It appears the factory hose are no longer available from Auntie Honda. I have read PVC hose will stand up to brake fluid. Does anyone have experience with a good substitute?
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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robin1731
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#3

Post by robin1731 »

Fuel line works.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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sunnbobb
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#4

Post by sunnbobb »

Ditto what Robin said
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.
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hatchward
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#5

Post by hatchward »

Regular fuel line will degrade over time.The proper brake reservoir line is made from EPDM.It's available from summit racing pretty cheap.(https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/ ... 2/overview)
1982 GL1100 Std - Daily Driver
1982 GS750SZ Katana - Mostly Unmolested
1998 Valkyrie - Latest Aquisition
1984 GL1200 Aspencade - Undecided Project
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OCR
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#6

Post by OCR »

JDA also makes brake lines for motorcycles.
JDA.com
79 CX500custom
76LTD
77Goldwing
2001 Polaris Scrambler 500 4X4

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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#7

Post by JamesPal »

OCR wrote:JDA also makes brake lines for motorcycles.
JDA.com
Thanks, I will check them out.
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#8

Post by JamesPal »

Here is a short video from last weekend's activities. There wasn't much time to work on it, but you need to do something every week. In this video the front and rear master cylinders were disassembled. I got a couple pans of parts rolling around. The castings need to be stripped and painted. Parts are on the way.

"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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flyin900
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#9

Post by flyin900 »

Jim, Looking good so far. Keep up the tutorials.

I recommend the DupliColor engine or caliper enamels to repaint the brake masters and then follow the instructions on curing it at temperature to help it to resist the brake fluid. I usually use my BBQ set to the appropriate temp, as it is outdoors and the smell of the curing paint is not an issue. The oven works too, yet you will get some curing paint fumes in the house which may or may not be an issue.
Duplicolor has everything from gloss black to semi gloss colour wise which are a close match to the original Honda finishes.
Last edited by flyin900 on Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
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chewy999
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#10

Post by chewy999 »

flyin900 wrote:Jim, Looking good so far. Keep up the tutorials.

The oven works too, yet you will get some curing paint fumes in the house which may or may not be an issue.


That means whether or not SWMBO is in the house!!!!!! lolol
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#11

Post by JamesPal »

chewy999 wrote:
flyin900 wrote:Jim, Looking good so far. Keep up the tutorials.

The oven works too, yet you will get some curing paint fumes in the house which may or may not be an issue.


That means whether or not SWMBO is in the house!!!!!! lolol
Very good advice, my SWMBO has a very sensitive nose, I would never get away with it :!: I will use plain caliper paint. It works fine and if it gets a little brake fluid it can be easily touched up.
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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CrazyJerry
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#12

Post by CrazyJerry »

That GL1200 in the photos above is just about a dead-ringer for the one I have!
-
Good luck with the 1100 - nice bike!
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~CrazyJerry~
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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#13

Post by JamesPal »

CrazyJerry wrote:That GL1200 in the photos above is just about a dead-ringer for the one I have!
-
Good luck with the 1100 - nice bike!
-
~CrazyJerry~
THX CJ- I had great luck with the 1100 this last weekend. Check out the next post.
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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JamesPal
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#14

Post by JamesPal »

I got to meet Pony Ruiz (AKA Bob) on Saturday. He had some important parts that he wanted to sell. Namely a GL1100 engine. The serial number is 2122747 which I believe makes it a '81 and that is a match for my 1100. The engine that was in my bike is S/N 2102047 and I believe it is an early '81, about the 2047th engine. When I bought the bike in 1982 I believe it was the dealer demonstrator. I bought it in summer of 1982. The Pony Ruiz engine was made 20,700 engines later. Not exactly assembly line twins, but close enough. Bob also sold me a 1983 gauge set. Happy to get rid of the 85 MPH speedo. Here is a short video showing the MAJOR score! This should get this project going. Pony Ruiz is a great guy- THANKS!

"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
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CrazyJerry
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Re: Jim Palmer's GL1100 Standard

#15

Post by CrazyJerry »

It's January - where's all the snow! lolol
-
Good deal on the engine - looks like you could eat off it!
-
~CrazyJerry~
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