Steven UK’s GL1100

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Track T 2411
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Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#76

Post by Track T 2411 »

Looks great!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
Steven UK
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Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#77

Post by Steven UK »

OK I must be having a chemical imbalance or some kind of weakness because this thing is starting to get me down. I'm at the crossroads of 'stop throwing good money after bad' and 'I'm in too deep not to follow through'. I have just returned from the bike shop after taking it for a tune up, because I had done everything I could. My motivation was that I have my skill test planned for tomorrow afternoon. The bike maybe runs slightly better (if you'r def) but the noise from the primary is much worse. I can't take my test on that thing now and I have no time to fix it, so I'll have to postpone it now. So I have quickly Googled GL1100 for sale locally and there is an 82 full faired going cheap. My question is what is involved putting an 82 engine in a 81 frame? Or should I just swap my custom bits over? basically its a seat, wheels and tires, handle bars, headlight... I could then strip the 81 down for parts or sell it cheap as a 'fixer upper'. I need a beer!

Unless someone really wants the 81 as it is....?

Regards Steven

p.s. I do want to complete this project one way or another because I have some custom fabricated parts in process right now. Twin headlights and a small rear rack.
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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Track T 2411
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Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#78

Post by Track T 2411 »

Most everything would swap over, one direction or the other. The '82 has some differences, though... wheels/ tires went from 19" front 17" rear to 18" and 16" and are wider (the 82 swing arm is wider as well). The brakes went from single piston to dual piston calipers, different master cylinders, and rotors. There are also some differences in the electrical system, like self cancelling turn signals, etc. I don't recall right off hand if the neutral switch changed from the side of the block to under the trans cover in 82 or 83. IMhO, the brake system on the 82 is a definite upgrade.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
Steven UK
Chrome Member
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#79

Post by Steven UK »

Just following up on this… I did manage to get a set of 81 carbs from a low mileage bike. I need a gasket kit, but Randakk’s is out of stock. But I’ll get by some how. Now to finish the twin headlights and go for a ride. I did find a mouse nest on my bike and a broken ‘O’ ring that may have been the issue before, but I did do the leak test. I’ve added some photos of the donor incase anyone needs any good body work…
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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sparkyrasmus
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Location: Marshall, MN, USA

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#80

Post by sparkyrasmus »

Nasty mouse nest hiding under all that beauty. Be sure to clean that we'll, the scents they leave will hang a vacancy sign out for another tenant if you don't clean everything and wipe it down with a mint essential oil. Mice hate that smell. In the upper Midwest we can buy sachets that repel mice for a couple months for storage over winter. I hide them everywhere a mouse has a potential home. They love airboxes.
Goldwings don't accelerate, they gain inertia.

1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status :cry:
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug. crossy.gif
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#81

Post by Steven UK »

Well I finally sorted the carbs… got a new set. They were not working because the floats were set to 20mm (1000cc) not the 15.5mm for the 1100. Fixed that and now we are running like a top. Now to start work on the twin headlights and rear rack. And get my license…
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Steven UK
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#82

Post by Steven UK »

Well I have been riding a bit recently… I changed the oil and the knocking noise is tolerable. I’m thinking it may just be a normal noise after all. Anyway if it does go bang then I’m in need of a new engine, and as parts are not available a rebuild is not feasible either. So ride it I will… :) I’ll continue with the twin headlight conversion over winter (I’m in Minnesota). The other curious thing was as I was cruising around listing to the whistling timing belts it started to get much worse, I mean terrible…! It turned out to be the tach screaming in the housing. I’ve disconnected it now and I think I’ll go for a Trailtech dash when I fit the twin headlights. I’ll have to come up with a solution for the fuel level though, unless I just use the aux fuel setting… maybe a light can be rigged up to come on at 25% or after 100 miles… the starter was an easy fix that made life much less stressful.
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anyway finally enjoying the bike… :).
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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