Steven UK’s GL1100

[Steven UK]

Thought shearing this would be a good idea to keep track of progress... basically I bought a 1981 GL1100 for 1600usd and now I’m starting to think I overpaid... I have plenty of time to get things ‘ship shape’ as I can’t get my learners permit till mid May. I’ll add some more details soon but now heading back to the shop...

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Also what’s the consensus on twin round headlamps...?

This is going to be a naked bike... all the boxes were buggered anyway.

Best Regards Steven

[gltriker]

[Goboy]

Hi Steven, it looks like a good base to start with. One headlight get my vote, I like the stock old round look.

[Track T 2411]

Purchase price aside, you're going to have a great riding, dependable, ride it anywhere cycle when you're done. As you're probably finding out, neglect and naughty po's are the bane of buying any used bike. Take your time, do it right, and get miles and miles of smiles!

[Fred Camper]

You will be fine, important to go through the brakes on any "new to you" bike as they are, um, really important. Should work out to be a fine custom or standard.

[Steven UK]

So a lot of progress this week, I ‘disassembled’ the rear caliper with the aid of a special home made fitting that converted zerk to the m12 fine thread (I think) of the master cylinder then forced it out with the grease gun. I thought it would explode, it took all my strength. Then when it came out it looked like new... I managed to disassemble the ‘faux tank’ easier said than done! Trimmed the rear fender, found an earlier GW steel fender and trimmed that. I re-configured the monstrosity that was the front tubular thing that went around the front fender. This became a front luggage rack. Now some questions:-
1. Are my head bearings brinelled or is there a detent in the straight ahead position, there is a strange looking device on the head bearing area (head bearing = steering)?
2. There looks to be a indicator buzzer hanging in the headlight area, where should it go?
Also am I missing something from inside my faux tank, like some kind of insert or tool kit...?

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[Steven UK]

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[Track T 2411]

There's a tool tray that fits over the air box.
The buzzer sounds when your directional is on, it makes a clicking sound, and a fairly loud buzzing if you're going over 40 MPH with a directional on. The Interstates have a bracket on the top of the fork leg that the buzzer attaches to. Not sure exactly where it attaches on a Standard. Probably to the headlight ear?
The black plastic 'box' simply covers the steering stops so that cables or wiring won't get pinched.

[Rat]

Could you post a pic of your new front luggage rack in action please ?

Sounds like a nice idea ....

Gord

[sparkyrasmus]

Keep at it. And post lots of pictures. We love pictures.

[Steven UK]

I’ve just lost all my typing, now I have to do it all again but angry...! Grrrr! Yesterday was painting, sanding, painting and more sanding. Today after work was sanding and painting then mechanical. Belts, tappets, radiator hoses... so if there is no detent in the steering (stupid thing to think) then the head bearings are shot.... bugger! Tomorrow I hope to have some color and clear on the panels. By the way the faux tank is a SOB to dismantle...! Hope I can get it back together without too much paint damage. While the paint is drying I’ll be rebuilding the brakes and making the twin headlight fabrications...

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[Steven UK]

I also have no idea what I’m going to do for a paint scheme....! I have some silver, white, black, red, fawn, some candys, some metal flake... but no artistic flair at all. I need help. I lake the red and white of the Honda MX bikes but I can’t come up with a tasteful design. Silver and black has potential... silver and black base with metal flake over everything. Or red and black. I was using these to sketch my ideas on... please feel free to add suggestions..

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Best Regards Steve

[Rednaxs60]

Nice work. Are you putting the rad cover back on? Blocks a lot of rad area for cooling. Metal flake in the paint scheme or even a pearl, think the pearl is more subtle.

[Track T 2411]

Concerning the steering head bearings, there should be no detent/ notch feeling, so it's probably time to replace them. Sometimes the notchy feeling is caused by hardened grease, but to do a thorough job of cleaning and repacking them, you're 80% on the way to replacing them anyway. I like the AllBalls kit; it has everything needed and is readily available from numerous vendors.
Nice work on the paint prep. That's one thing that I have yet to try my hand at in any serious way.

[Steven UK]

Concerning the steering head bearings, there should be no detent/ notch feeling, so it's probably time to replace them. Sometimes the notchy feeling is caused by hardened grease, but to do a thorough job of cleaning and repacking them, you're 80% on the way to replacing them anyway. I like the AllBalls kit; it has everything needed and is readily available from numerous vendors.
Nice work on the paint prep. That's one thing that I have yet to try my hand at in any serious way.

The painting is definitely easier said than done, this is the most complicated paint job I’ve undertaken and it’s not going well. I’ll plan to swap out the steering bearings. But I have got too much on right now to even think about it.