Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
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- Chainman
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:25 am
- Location: Oak Island NC USA
Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
I am a novice motorcycle mechanic.
This is Donna You probably see her like this: I brought her home last Tuesday and begin soaking the stubborn plugs for removal, see, she seems to have a stuck piston. Probably on the right side as it took two days to get those plugs out. Then three days of PPB and MMO down the plug holes, I decided to attempt to pull the heads and see what the deal was. I've never pulled a head before and decided the right should go first. I removed the valve covers and they were filthy; fears of high water creeped into my head. Two years ago, hurricane Florence dropped the equivalent of the Chesapeake Bay on us and there was widespread flooding all over North Carolina. I pulled the timing belts and discovered the right side cam wouldn't move; not good. I've got all the bolts removed from the right side head and it won't budge. I've given it a few gentle raps with a wooden block with zero movement. I suspect the frozen piston is keeping the head from pulling away. Unless of course, there's more to removing a head than removing the six interior bolts, the small bolt underneath, the two JIS screws from the top, and the two bolts from the tachometer drive.
Any wisdom you are willing to share is appreciated.
Here are some pictures from along the way:
This is Donna You probably see her like this: I brought her home last Tuesday and begin soaking the stubborn plugs for removal, see, she seems to have a stuck piston. Probably on the right side as it took two days to get those plugs out. Then three days of PPB and MMO down the plug holes, I decided to attempt to pull the heads and see what the deal was. I've never pulled a head before and decided the right should go first. I removed the valve covers and they were filthy; fears of high water creeped into my head. Two years ago, hurricane Florence dropped the equivalent of the Chesapeake Bay on us and there was widespread flooding all over North Carolina. I pulled the timing belts and discovered the right side cam wouldn't move; not good. I've got all the bolts removed from the right side head and it won't budge. I've given it a few gentle raps with a wooden block with zero movement. I suspect the frozen piston is keeping the head from pulling away. Unless of course, there's more to removing a head than removing the six interior bolts, the small bolt underneath, the two JIS screws from the top, and the two bolts from the tachometer drive.
Any wisdom you are willing to share is appreciated.
Here are some pictures from along the way:
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- IMG_20191109_152115.jpg (115.27 KiB) Viewed 832 times
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- IMG_20191110_151750.jpg (65.36 KiB) Viewed 832 times
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- Rusty tank
- IMG_20191109_133638.jpg (121.99 KiB) Viewed 832 times
1975 GL1000
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
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Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
This is an interference engine so to turn the cam with the belts off can damage a valve at the minimum. Best to follow the help section on head removal.
There is at least one secret handshake courtesy of Mama Honda.
There is at least one secret handshake courtesy of Mama Honda.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3724
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 12:15 pm
- Location: Maple Lake, MN USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Welcome! Looks like you have all the bolts out, and being you mentioned the small one from below, it is most likely just stuck. A tad more persuasion should get it off....there are some hollow dowels in the corners of the head that can stick.
Can you lift up on the coolant tubing? No point making stick even more.
Can you lift up on the coolant tubing? No point making stick even more.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- ericheath
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 9580
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
- Location: Winnipeg, Manituba
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Gravity has been pulling the heads down for a long time. Try lifting from below the head. My last few I have had the bike on a jack, supported the head and lowered the jack a bit to lift the head. They pop free easily for me. A few taps or a broom handle in an exhaust port.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
- gltriker
- Honored Life Member
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:11 pm
- Location: central NY State
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Welcome!
Looks like you'll have more than just one stuck piston in that engine.
Looks like you'll have more than just one stuck piston in that engine.
Cliff (74yrs )
Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday.
New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^
RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT Me Too!!
Cliff
'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome
previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday.
New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^
RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT Me Too!!
Cliff
'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome
previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
- pidjones
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3237
- Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
- Location: East TN
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Water in the crankcase is really bad. Still, might be recoverable. Check some of my thread on "the Hunley" to see recovery from water in cylinders. Your tank looks pretty good. I'd vacuum it out and try swishing some acetone around in it. If the white stuff dissolves, it is probably a coating product called Kreem that will fully come out with acetone. If not, vinegar may remove it. Just make sure it doesn't continue flaking off. Lots of great recovery threads on here. Read, learn, be patient.
"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
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
- Chainman
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:25 am
- Location: Oak Island NC USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Thanks for the tips.
Using the search function, I found impeccable instructions for removing the carburetors:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57408&p=629893&hili ... 00#p629893
Some more pics:
Using the search function, I found impeccable instructions for removing the carburetors:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57408&p=629893&hili ... 00#p629893
Some more pics:
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- State of the brake reservoir
- IMG_20191109_133534.jpg (130.4 KiB) Viewed 799 times
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- IMG_20191106_170736.jpg (125.32 KiB) Viewed 799 times
1975 GL1000
- Chainman
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:25 am
- Location: Oak Island NC USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
I got the heads off today and managed to move the pistons one length of the cylinder by rapping it with a hammer and wooden block. To my inexperienced eye, the cylinders look ok. I can't get it to turn over with a wrench on the crank shaft so I guess I'll keep working it back and forth with the hammer and keep it bathed in PPB until it loosens up. That seems to be in my current skill set; beat it with a hammer!
But seriously, now that I've torn Donna down this much it be a shame not to strip her all the way to the ground a do a proper restoration. It'd be my first. My other fixer-upper was more of a "rustoration". The Hawk is a bit of a rat, but I still love it. Got patina.
Any advice is welcome.
Here are some pics:
But seriously, now that I've torn Donna down this much it be a shame not to strip her all the way to the ground a do a proper restoration. It'd be my first. My other fixer-upper was more of a "rustoration". The Hawk is a bit of a rat, but I still love it. Got patina.
Any advice is welcome.
Here are some pics:
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- IMG_20191111_165159.jpg (176.86 KiB) Viewed 775 times
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- IMG_20191111_165400.jpg (144.04 KiB) Viewed 775 times
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- the Hawk
- IMG_20190428_072832.jpg (153.5 KiB) Viewed 775 times
1975 GL1000
- Chris in TN
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 10:24 am
- Location: Maryville TN
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
I'm going to take you at your word here and suggest a website that helps folks just getting started on working on bikes.Chainman wrote:I am a novice motorcycle mechanic.
Dan's online Motorcycle Repair Course at http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm
Dan ran a one man motorcycle repair shop in Idaho for years and decided to pass on what he knows about fixing bikes. So, when you consult his pages, it's basically like having an old timer sitting in the corner of your garage drinking coffee you can turn to and ask, "I dunno man, what the heck do I do about that?".
- Is his stuff sometimes pretty basic? Yep.
- Is he writing in fairly general terms so you have to decide which parts apply to your bike? Always.
- Does he pass on some nuggets that took me years to learn? Oh yeah!
If you liked or admired How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot by John Muir then this is kind of the same idea. Think of it as maintenance skills as folk wisdom.
Chris
Current fleet:
1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
1986 RG500G, 1988 R100RS, 1991 K100RS, 1997 GSF1200
Current fleet:
1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
1986 RG500G, 1988 R100RS, 1991 K100RS, 1997 GSF1200
- JamesPal
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 178
- Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:57 pm
- Location: Bellevue, Waashington USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Chainman, good to see you on NGW. Lots good people over here. Nice progress on the bike. That engine is going to need a lot of love. Just take it one step at a time. Pretty soon you are going to be an expert. BTW, I thought you should have changed your screen name to Shaftman
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti
'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
- Chainman
- Titanium Member
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- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:25 am
- Location: Oak Island NC USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Thanks Chris, Dan's site is exactly what I need.Chris in TN wrote: I'm going to take you at your word here and suggest a website that helps folks just getting started on working on bikes.
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- photostudio_1573526381765.jpg (32.8 KiB) Viewed 756 times
1975 GL1000
- Chris in TN
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 10:24 am
- Location: Maryville TN
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
Sorry, I forgot to add this to my first message. You probably already know about this website but just in case, here's a URL to a webpage offering PDF's of the factory shop manual, the owner's manual. and the Haynes manual for the GL1000.Chainman wrote:Thanks Chris, Dan's site is exactly what I need.
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12806 ... -1000.html
I downloaded them to my computer and just print out the applicable pages I need when I head out to the garage.
Chris
Current fleet:
1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
1986 RG500G, 1988 R100RS, 1991 K100RS, 1997 GSF1200
Current fleet:
1976 GL1000, 1978 GS1000E, 1979 GS1000S, 1981 CM400C,
1986 RG500G, 1988 R100RS, 1991 K100RS, 1997 GSF1200
- Chainman
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 10:25 am
- Location: Oak Island NC USA
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
The pistons seem to be loosening. They still require the use of the block and hammer but definitely less force is required.
Here's what I know I don't know:
-If the pistons loosen up enough to move "easily" in the cylinders, I won't know if I have good compression until I reassemble the bike and perform a compression test.
-If I split the engine and hone the cylinders, do the same size rings go back? Then reassemble the bike to test for compression?
-Splitting the engine and boring the cylinders for larger pistons seems like a last resort and requires a machine shop. I assume this shouldn't be attempted under the shade tree.
Anways, I bought a jack in anticipation of removing the engine. Should I modify the saddle or place a block or something along those lines? I've attached a photo.
As always, any advice or experience you wish to share is welcomed and appreciated.
Here's what I know I don't know:
-If the pistons loosen up enough to move "easily" in the cylinders, I won't know if I have good compression until I reassemble the bike and perform a compression test.
-If I split the engine and hone the cylinders, do the same size rings go back? Then reassemble the bike to test for compression?
-Splitting the engine and boring the cylinders for larger pistons seems like a last resort and requires a machine shop. I assume this shouldn't be attempted under the shade tree.
Anways, I bought a jack in anticipation of removing the engine. Should I modify the saddle or place a block or something along those lines? I've attached a photo.
As always, any advice or experience you wish to share is welcomed and appreciated.
- Attachments
-
- IMG_20191113_104815.jpg (138.07 KiB) Viewed 705 times
1975 GL1000
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
- Posts: 6889
- Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
- Location: Metro Detroit
- Contact:
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
A 2"x4"x2 foot is your friend with that jack, but it will be nice to have 4 hands if you lower it more than 2 inches.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'
You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
- robin1731
- Membership Admin
- Posts: 21724
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: Waking Donna; a '75 GL1000
May want to check in to getting rings before you start taking the engine apart. And bearings. Because why take one down that far and then put old parts back in if you don't have to.
And no, just honing the cylinder will not require larger pistons/rings. Unless you get carried away.
.
And no, just honing the cylinder will not require larger pistons/rings. Unless you get carried away.
.
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
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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