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1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:14 pm
by CaseyH
Found a new winter project
1976 GL1000 - 18000 miles
This is the start point
This was originally a yellow bike and I hope to make it as original as possible.
It sat for to long and will not idle so I have my work cut out for myself.
Other wise it runs well once it get up into the higher rpm's
Transmission and clutch are good.
Front brakes are sticking.
Tank is clean - the old gas was probably a year old so hence the carb issues
Tires are less than 5 years old so they are in good shape and usable.
Found a seat and grab bar - Proper headlight components
Its a start
I will update as i go along
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Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:46 pm
by pidjones
Fun!
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:55 pm
by ritalz
Welcome. Looks like a good starting point. Please don't trust the tires after sitting and 5 years old. Change the belts asap.
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:08 pm
by CaseyH
The front tire was installed new three years ago
The back tire will be replaced
I will be changing the belts
Thanks for the advice
Casey
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:16 pm
by ericheath
A grab bar! The holy grail. Looks like a good start.
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 2:57 pm
by CaseyH
I did score on the seat from a guy in Kingston Ontario. also the grab bar which had the proper nubs for lack of a better word attached with good rubbers and chrome off of a supplier - Gentlemans Agreement Used Vintage Japanese Motorcycle parts.
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:06 pm
by CaseyH
The head light
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The PO made do with the Vetter ring and some hardware
Sourced the OEM parts - just awaiting a few of the screws and hardware to mount properly.
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Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:08 pm
by CaseyH
From this
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To this
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Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:26 pm
by CaseyH
Had the carbs off and rebuilt.
The bike had sat for a long time and would run but not idle.
Got them back and now I know it is a runner and it is shifted to the work zone where I hope to return it to it's yellowness
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As you can see by the inside of the side fake tank cover this was a yellow bike originally.
This bike has 18000 miles on it and was owned by an older gentleman in Sudbury Ontario
I bought it off his grandson
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:30 pm
by CaseyH
The cool thing is the kickstart lever and hardware for the cable that stops the cover from flopping down was all there.
I had to manufacture the actual cable out of aircraft wire and the the swivel bits out of some bolt stock which I cut to length with a dremel. Fine drill bit and a propane torch and solder and it looks pretty good.
The kickstart lever was tie wrapped in place. Ebay is my friend sometimes. Rubber strap looks way better.
I am close to the border and can save a fortune on shipping to Niagara Falls New York.
Time to start on the major things like brakes - timing belts - tires and so on.
Its a long winter and they are forecasting an early winter snow tomorrow. Up to 20 cm - (8 inches in English)
I have heat and tunes and a beer fridge
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 11:23 am
by Graham Cracker
Heat, tunes, beer and a bike...you've got it made! Congrats
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:17 pm
by CaseyH
The headlight is looking way better
The front brakes were sticking
Rebuilt them - working great
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 10:49 pm
by CaseyH
Had a slight leak in the rear master cylinder
Ready for new parts.
Removed the back tire
It was 8 years old
Looked good but once you looked close it was cracking
Listen to the great advice on this site
Replace old tires
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Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 12:16 pm
by JohnnyNumbers
Welcome to the forum. I'm looking forward to seeing the bike in all it's original glory.
Re: 1976 gl1000 restoration
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 4:54 pm
by Liam
That's a super project. You did good to find that seat and extra good to find that grab rail. I will be following this build closely. Looking forward to following.