Found a '79 to restore as my next project - "Freedom"

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pidjones
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Found a '79 to restore as my next project - "Freedom"

#1

Post by pidjones »

As the subject sez. Thought I had one lined up last week, but it sold the day before I was to go pick it up. I'm watching Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. One in Minnesota is just too far to consider right now. Really want a '79 - they are just not that abundant.

I bought a parts bike a few weeks ago, but the engine is full of water and rust, only ~35% of the carb parts reclaimable (all pulled, disassembled, cleaned and boxed/bagged up). The stator measures good, and parts are coming off of the block pretty easily, but the cams are rusty so I doubt any bearing surface is useful. I plan to continue stripping the engine down to learn (never had one down all of the way) and see if there is anything else usable inside.

When (not if) I find the project bike, I'll continue the build thread here. I do have some parts saved from other projects and such - side covers, mufflers, and I think the forks and front wheel from the parts bike are rebuild-able.
Last edited by pidjones on Fri Sep 27, 2019 2:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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pidjones
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#2

Post by pidjones »

Third 'wing is aboard! Monday, I drove over 600 miles RT to pick up a '79 that seems to be in fairly good shape and fairly complete. Although the odometer shows <78 k miles, the 2017 registration only shows a little over 41 k. Tires less than two years old (Dunlops), it is largely rust-free. AGM battery. Wouldn't start, but it's about out of gas - I'm not realky worried about that, I'll get it running right. Compression checks good.

It had been "turned into a cafe racer" by removing the handlebars and replacing them with a couple straight pieces of 7/8" tubing. Seat replaced with a chunk of carved foam rubber. Tail light replaced with a plastic unit zip-tied on. No mufflers but clean shiny headers. It came with a complete set of Vetters including the key to the bags and covers. Stock headlight and ears are in place, but I'll need to cleanly remove the Vetter connector from the harness. Trying to find a local that wants them. It also came with the original handlebars and taillight mounting bracket including rear signals.

Needs: seat, grab bar, taillight, tool tray, front signals, front brake reservoir, clutch lever(broken). I have a pretty good muffler set and hangers for it from a previous build. It also needs a good refurb by tearing it down, polish and paint, rebuild. Also the left side cover is pretty trashed and poorly glued back together. I have a spare for each side however. I will no doubt find a ton of special fasteners (like the shelter hinge pins) missing. Planning to take my time on it, and get it really right. Looks like haunting ebay is once again a thing for me. Not my first show, new belts are on order as well as filter, carbs o-rings. I have (just in case) things like head gaskets on hand.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#3

Post by Track T 2411 »

Congrats! Now get out there and take a few pics, lol!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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Under Construction:
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In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#4

Post by Jonesz »

Need pics for sure. Sometimes I think that the fun part of a restore is searching and finding the right part at a decent price. The hunt is part of the thrill. Looking forward to seeing your bike.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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pidjones
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#5

Post by pidjones »

Pics will come, but probably in a week or so. Only room for two bikes in the garage, and right now the Hunley and 1800 (Black Pearl) have it (along with remaining parts of the parts '79 that I'm still disassembling). The new '79 is on the other side of the basement (supposed to be family room, but mainly junk now). Parked between the Uni-go trailer and a mountain of "stuff" that I'm not permitted to throw out. I'll have to back it outside, but it's a tight squeeze. Even more so now that I've remounted the correct bars. Three shows coming over the next two weeks, then I'll get time to work on it. I've already discovered quite a few screws stripped by not using JIS screwdrivers. I'll have to drill heads off, disassemble, vice grip the studs out, and reassemble with new JIS screws. Luckily my local Ace hardware carries them.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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pidjones
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#6

Post by pidjones »

Spent the morning splitting the cases of the "parts" bike. Actually beating, crowbarring, sledgehammering, and using select language. Any engine that you have to do that to is a useless lump, but it was instructive for me as I had never split cases before. Would have been pretty easy save for the rusted ring-to-cylinder gap on #4 piston.
rusty 79.jpg
rusty 79.jpg (115.58 KiB) Viewed 444 times
Meanwhile, the target will remain in the other side of the basement nestled in "stuff" until I get time to move it into the garage. Three shows in the next two weeks for the Hunley, so I'll be busy with that.
20190625_145900.jpg
20190625_145900.jpg (79.95 KiB) Viewed 444 times
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#7

Post by bigscheaf »

pidjones wrote:Spent the morning splitting the cases of the "parts" bike. Actually beating, crowbarring, sledgehammering, and using select language. Any engine that you have to do that to is a useless lump, but it was instructive for me as I had never split cases before. Would have been pretty easy save for the rusted ring-to-cylinder gap on #4 piston.
Coercive and threatening language, when used correctly, increases chances of success by 50%, although I do have a 16 lb sledge when all else fails.

The '79 looks like a pretty nice sample to start work off of. Going to need to do much with the paint or is it pretty much good to go?
1983 GL1100 viewtopic.php?f=16&t=67673#
1981 CB900F (Resto-mod Project)
1979 CB750F (Wiseco 823)
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#8

Post by pidjones »

bigscheaf wrote:
pidjones wrote:Spent the morning splitting the cases of the "parts" bike. Actually beating, crowbarring, sledgehammering, and using select language. Any engine that you have to do that to is a useless lump, but it was instructive for me as I had never split cases before. Would have been pretty easy save for the rusted ring-to-cylinder gap on #4 piston.
Coercive and threatening language, when used correctly, increases chances of success by 50%, although I do have a 16 lb sledge when all else fails.

The '79 looks like a pretty nice sample to start work off of. Going to need to do much with the paint or is it pretty much good to go?
Over-all not too bad, but there are some chips that might force an entire repaint. Left side cover is badly broken, but I have a spare. Just haven't checked to make sure it is black. Tail light on order. Watching for better prices on front signals. Might just swap the tool tray from my '78 back and forth until I find one cheap. Not in a hurry, though. This project is back-burner until after Barber Vintage Fest.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#9

Post by bigscheaf »

pidjones wrote:Over-all not too bad, but there are some chips that might force an entire repaint. Left side cover is badly broken, but I have a spare. Just haven't checked to make sure it is black. Tail light on order. Watching for better prices on front signals. Might just swap the tool tray from my '78 back and forth until I find one cheap. Not in a hurry, though. This project is back-burner until after Barber Vintage Fest.
Sounds about how the my 1100 is overall. Got a used "tank" on eBay that has great paint overall, but a few chips that would require a full repaint. At least you can take it out once you get it pieced back together and not worry too much.

And I know how it goes with throwing a project on the back burner. Well, technically two on the back burner at the moment.
1983 GL1100 viewtopic.php?f=16&t=67673#
1981 CB900F (Resto-mod Project)
1979 CB750F (Wiseco 823)
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#10

Post by pidjones »

A nice surprise today. Decided to do some looking around on this new '79 and found a wire leading from one of the fuses to.... a Dyna 3 module! It will come out and be replaced with stock points for my true restore, but might go in the Hunley if my planned Ford TFI module experiment fails.

Also, I've bought a taillight and located a seat (needs a new cover, but otherwise looks OK). Just need the unobtainium passenger grab bar and front HONDA emblem that goes over the brake spliter (I have the rest, just need the emblem). Of course, that is until I get into the brakes and engine/drivetrain details.

The left side cover was busted in four pieces (I have another) so I glued it back together with ABS plumbing cement. Still a couple small chunks missing, but it mounts Ok and with those chunks patched and some filling/sanding, it should do well for a spare.

I still need to get into the headlight housing and remove the spiced-in Vetter connection. Hope it isn't a hack job.
Last edited by pidjones on Thu Jul 11, 2019 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#11

Post by rcmatt007 »

nasty rust on the transmission gears as well
-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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pidjones
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#12

Post by pidjones »

rcmatt007 wrote:nasty rust on the transmission gears as well
That trany and case is history - I gave it to a friend that gets a little cash from recycle. The valves from the left head are getting ready to go to Joe Drum.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#13

Post by Rat »

There's a name from our past ....

Gord anim-cheers1
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#14

Post by pidjones »

Today, Judy and I drove to Covington, GA and picked up a seat for the '79 GL1000 (I found it on Marketplace). Judy also found a side table for my bed to replace the one that I busted with my head a couple years ago. Both need restored, and I'll order a cover for the seat tonight.
new seat.jpg
new seat.jpg (58.51 KiB) Viewed 345 times
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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Re: Looking for a '79 to restore as my next project

#15

Post by rcmatt007 »

busted with your head? ouch!
-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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