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1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:28 pm
by Kirkj1s2
In the fall came across a 1981 GL1100. It had been dressed up with Hondaline fairing with CD, Cassette and all the goodies, along with Vetter bags and trunk. It had an attached sidecar, and that was all the PO wanted, so I secured the bike for next to nothing. Spent a little time cleaning up and got it start. Compression is good, and it all seems to be in good order. So decided to do a naked resto-mod. Nothing drastic, but new seat, bars, exhaust, lights and paint. So the winter project is now underway.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:32 pm
by Fred Camper
Seems like good bones, is the removable frame section intact? Teardown looks to be complete!

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 2:50 pm
by Kirkj1s2
Fred, Yes the frame section is intact. Looks like everything is there and working. Of course I will need to find headlight and arms, and I will replacing tail lights and signals. After clean up all electronics were working, and the transmission moved thru the gears smoothly, but we will be going over all of that. Since compression is good, probably won't crack the case though.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:17 pm
by Fred Camper
No cracking the case, usually the gaskets cost similar to a known good engine so stick with what you have. Good call on your part.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 10:14 pm
by Track T 2411
Welcome from Wisconsin. Looks like you jumped right in! From the pics, it looks like a nice solid bike. Enjoy the ride!

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:00 am
by JamesPal
Nice to see another '81 being saved. The headlights are not that hard to find, they were used on several Hondas in those years. The headlight ears might be a little harder.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:29 pm
by Kirkj1s2
JamesPal wrote:Nice to see another '81 being saved. The headlights are not that hard to find, they were used on several Hondas in those years. The headlight ears might be a little harder.
There seems to be plenty of aftermarket options for headlight buckets and ears. I think a Euro style 7" is probably the direction I'll go. Leaves a little extra room to hide wiring.

The "81 was the first year they were assembled at the Marysville, OH plant that is right up the road from me. I thought it was a nice added touch of trivia. Thanks for the feedback.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:40 pm
by LastMohawk
Hello Kirkj1s2,
you'r a good man. You save an old wing from falling apart on the roadside. And you do it just in the right time. the technique still seems to be in good shape. I'm curious how she looks when your work is done.
Have fun and a save journey

Greetings
Harald

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:35 pm
by Liam
Zooming in on the frame it looks really rust free for one left outside to the elements. It amazes me about the different climates. Over here after a year outside it would be riddled with rust. You have the makings of a really nice machine.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 1:10 pm
by rcmatt007
looks like it was a vetter sidecar

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:26 pm
by Kirkj1s2
Everything cleaned up, new gaskets, seals, bits and pieces, real for reassembly.
Engine cleaned up and back in the frame
Engine cleaned up and back in the frame
IMG_3396.jpg (263.26 KiB) Viewed 549 times
Coming together
Coming together
IMG_3409.jpg (285.79 KiB) Viewed 549 times

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:34 pm
by ritalz
Lookin good.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:37 pm
by Kirkj1s2
There are a lot of fiddly bits that need to be done. Carbs are cleaned and rebuilt and assembled, Radiator was flushed tests and repainted, wiring is coming together, and controls are getting installed. I have a seat on order and coming in next couple weeks, exhaust is new and in house, i have brakes and tires and wheels to get cleaned up and installed. New paint needs to be applied to plastics and finishing touches. Hoping for a great summer! (sorry about the side ways pics, not sure what I did wrong there)

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:45 pm
by Kirkj1s2
Fred Camper wrote:Seems like good bones, is the removable frame section intact? Teardown looks to be complete!
Yes it is in surprisingly good shape. The frame section was still connected to the engine at the point of that pic. It has gone together pretty well. I am excited by its progress.

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:47 pm
by Kirkj1s2
Track T 2411 wrote:Welcome from Wisconsin. Looks like you jumped right in! From the pics, it looks like a nice solid bike. Enjoy the ride!
Thanks. I lived in Wisconsin for a short time after college in the greater Green Bay area. Beautiful and the people were fantastic. Looking forward to the finished ride.