Bringing Back an '81

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Geropat
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#31

Post by Geropat »

I had been looking around for a cheap donor engine without much luck, so I decided to split the case and see if this was going to be something I could repair...It is definitely not going to be worth it.
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'81 GL1100
'85 650sc
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robin1731
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#32

Post by robin1731 »

Geropat wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:09 pm A couple pics on the way to Thunder Bay.... and back :(
Never a good idea to transport a bike on the side stand or the center stand. But at least you got it home.
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
Geropat
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#33

Post by Geropat »

robin1731 wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:40 pm
Geropat wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:09 pm A couple pics on the way to Thunder Bay.... and back :(
Never a good idea to transport a bike on the side stand or the center stand. But at least you got it home.
I didn't know that, but yes glad it is home.
'81 GL1100
'85 650sc
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#34

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Here's a wiring diagram to install a manual rad fan switch. Use mine in the summer while driving in the city/stop and go. Have an indicator light:
Rad switch schematic.jpeg
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"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#35

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Ouch. That's a pretty catastrophic rod failure, it seems. Did you overheat that badly? Oil starvation? Hmm.

Sorry.

Staying positive, I'm sure there'll be an 1100 up for sale at a great price - and somewhere near you. Someone will get tired of looking at that dusty, old, perfectly fine but long-abandoned and oh-so-80s Wing sitting in the corner of the shed or garage. It'll be missing things like the left side cover, probably have some issue with the starter, and the tires will be shot. It's the dead of winter, and the owner will be looking to clear it out before spring. Nobody else will be interested because, well, it's winter. But the motor will come back to life in your hands.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

Active Project(s)
1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
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robin1731
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#36

Post by robin1731 »

NotSoLilCrippseys wrote: Sun Jan 02, 2022 1:29 pm Ouch. That's a pretty catastrophic rod failure, it seems. Did you overheat that badly? Oil starvation? Hmm.
That looks more like it filled the cylinder with coolant. Piston goes up, coolant doesn't compress, next weakest part is the rod. Then a few rotations of the crank and it starts disassembly. Not in a pretty/good/easy way. ;)
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
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Rat
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#37

Post by Rat »

Head gasket ?

Gord :shock:
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#38

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Ouch!
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Geropat
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Re: Bringing Back an '81

#39

Post by Geropat »

I’m not sure what actually caused the failure, but I know it’s smoked and that the easiest solution is a new engine. I’ve had my eye on a few bikes, ended up getting a running 1980 interstate for $500 so I feel good about that.
'81 GL1100
'85 650sc
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