Steven UK’s GL1100

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Steven UK
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Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#61

Post by Steven UK »

Explorer wrote:That's some awesome paint fella, it's like it's 3 dimensional, well done!
I’m kind of new to painting just experimenting. I have two sets of body work that I’m working on. Once the Red gets fitted I’ll start making the Black even Blacker or go something like this... so you can see I’m ‘experimenting’ on the house furniture... :)
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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Track T 2411
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Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#62

Post by Track T 2411 »

Concerning the rear air sensor... the '83 1100 air shocks are different than earlier years, and doesn't 'require' air unless one is riding two up, or loaded down, or just likes a firmer ride. The splitter on your bike is probably from an '83.
"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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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#63

Post by Steven UK »

Got the new body work on, finally. Still need to dial plenty of parts in though, but getting there. I’ll get the front fender tomorrow. I had the throttle snapping back lovely yesterday now it’s tightened up again. It’s a Constant challenge...
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Explorer
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Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#64

Post by Explorer »

I've got a permanent gauge on mine so I installed the same splitter you've got, 1. It finally got rid of the totally useless low pressure light and 2. It removed another potential leakage point. To stop the light coming on, ground the wire, or just remove the bulb.
Steven UK
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Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#65

Post by Steven UK »

Explorer wrote:I've got a permanent gauge on mine so I installed the same splitter you've got, 1. It finally got rid of the totally useless low pressure light and 2. It removed another potential leakage point. To stop the light coming on, ground the wire, or just remove the bulb.
Now that’s a good idea...!
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#66

Post by Steven UK »

Today’s project was much easier than anticipated... for once! I picked up some rusted out headers from an 82 1100. Not really headers the pipes had just rusted in half. Anyway after trimming them down I was prepared to weld some mandrel bends together and make some super complicated ‘pie cut’ bends but the ‘headers linger up perfectly with my ‘new to me’ sportster tailpipes. Altogether too easy. Along with some very simple 45deg bent pieces of 1/8” flat for rear brackets the whole process including painting the headers took 4 hours.
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#67

Post by Steven UK »

Track T 2411 wrote:Concerning the rear air sensor... the '83 1100 air shocks are different than earlier years, and doesn't 'require' air unless one is riding two up, or loaded down, or just likes a firmer ride. The splitter on your bike is probably from an '83.
Mr. T
Are there any external differences on the shocks, I'm wondering if the bike came with the newer shocks as well as the manifold. I can't understand why someone would change just the manifold... front and rear seem to be holding air so I'm good. just curious.

Regards Steven
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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Track T 2411
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Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#68

Post by Track T 2411 »

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The '83 shocks have this small rectangular sticker with a model number. Earlier units don't, at least from my experience...
"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
Chrome Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#69

Post by Steven UK »

Just completed a 275mile round trip that was mostly uneventful. The fuel pump has developed a small leak which is a bit unfortunate. The front master cylinder which was a bit wet after the last brake bleed has gone frosty after being left out in the rain last night... strange. But the bike ran great and managed 41mpg so pretty happy. Happier and happier... now I really need a fairing and /or a full face helmet...!
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
BIGZILLA
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Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#70

Post by BIGZILLA »

Well I finally got through the entire thread. You need to change the comment in your signature to: "with a builder that is determined to ride it" SWEET BIKE.
Short list of former mistresses;
1976 Yamaha DT400 Enduro
1981 Honda CM400 Hondamatic
1983 V65 Magna
1989 HD Heritage
1992 HD Fatboy
1955 HD Panhead (Ass buster)
2006 Victory Hammer stroker (the one that crippled me)
And a few homemade trikes.
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#71

Post by Steven UK »

BIGZILLA wrote:Well I finally got through the entire thread. You need to change the comment in your signature to: "with a builder that is determined to ride it" SWEET BIKE.
We’re getting there... I’ll give you a shout when I get my boat back to Fort Pierce from the Bahamas, it was battered by Dorian there. I may even ride the bike down there when the weather cools down.

Best Regards Steven
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
BIGZILLA
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Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:42 pm
Location: Florida's Treasure Coast

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#72

Post by BIGZILLA »

Steven UK wrote:We’re getting there... I’ll give you a shout when I get my boat back to Fort Pierce from the Bahamas, it was battered by Dorian there. I may even ride the bike down there when the weather cools down.

Best Regards Steven
sounds good but,
I'm only going to be here a few more weeks before I move to Kentucky permanently. I take it you do a little fishing?
Dorian got me too by the way, the only limb of any size to fall from any tree within miles of my house fell on my fifth wheel tiny house I was building. While it never hit us directly, it certainly churned right off the coast a long time and disturbed our lives. Definitely let me know when you're headed this way.
Short list of former mistresses;
1976 Yamaha DT400 Enduro
1981 Honda CM400 Hondamatic
1983 V65 Magna
1989 HD Heritage
1992 HD Fatboy
1955 HD Panhead (Ass buster)
2006 Victory Hammer stroker (the one that crippled me)
And a few homemade trikes.
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#73

Post by Steven UK »

this is just info... maybe it will help someone.

I'm still trying to get the wing dialed in, today I warmed up the engine then checked the compression. it went from: -
115, 105, 115, 110 respectively to: -
125, 125, 125, 130 respectively.

so making some progress, I think this last weekends highway thrash helped.

then I prepared to put the sync gauges on and it idled like a dream at 1000rpm and the gauges were ridiculously close.

took them off and the rpm increased and it went rough when I brought it back as close to 1000rpm as I could. I think the gauges are garbage.

onwards and upwards...

p.s. what compression are people getting on their gl1100 <30k miles?

Regards Steve...
GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#74

Post by Steven UK »

I took a video and a photo of the vacuum gauges and noticed what it said on the face of the gauge. What reading does everyone else get?
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
Steven UK
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Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Location: Jackson MN

Re: Steven UK’s GL1100

#75

Post by Steven UK »

Just received my new seat... aesthetically I’m pretty happy with it. It’s a bit hard to sit on though. Fit was perfect. It was manufactured in Vietnam and purchased on eBay. This is more of an fyi...
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GL1100 1981 (A bike that is determined not to be ridden...!)
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