1975 GL1000

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Rednaxs60
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Re: New Project

#16

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Paola - I'm with cfairweather regarding this issue. I grew up in a service garage, father and brother were mechanics, I was a marine engineering artificer in our Navy, lots of large diesels, gas turbines and such to work on, and yet was intimidated by the Goldwing when I first bought it. Lots of stuff crammed into a very small space. Read lots of forum threads about these engines and the mechanical systems, don't do something unless you have to.

The more I worked on and maintained my GWs, the less intimidating these became. Have the manuals, watch videos, read forum threads, and research what I want to do. After this it's confidence and just get at it. Patience and time are the key ingredients to doing any of the work on a GW or anything else.

I'm 66 and have learned to ask for help, don't recover from aches and pains like I used to.

You are more than capable to do the same work. Man/woman no difference in ability. Pictures, labeling of parts/pieces, and taking notes are are some of the key elements to a successful job. You also have to want to do the work.

There are a lot of recommendations and opinions in this forum thread as there is in all forum threads whenever work is being done or contemplated. It's up to you to sift through the information and use what is good for you.

Remember that the people who put these engines and motorcycles together are just like us. Not necessarily certified trades people, but people on an assembly line. They learned how to do their specific task in the build process, and got good at that aspect.

Has taken me 5 years to be comfortable with the electrical, electronics and mechanical workings of my '85 Limited Edition.

As cfairweather mentions, if you want to do something, go for it. It's like scuba diving, plan your dive - dive your plan. Try to stay away from the snowball effect.

I'm enjoying this thread, always learn something from the various posts.

Cheers
"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)
cfairweather
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Re: 1975 GL1000 Project

#17

Post by cfairweather »

I am going to start putting the engine back together tomorrow, so today, I made ring compressors. I think these will work better than clamps, but we shall see tomorrow. There is a slight taper to make it easier to get the rings into the tool. Made with a 3D printer and PLA filament.

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Rednaxs60
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Re: 1975 GL1000 Project

#18

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Very nice. Should work fine. The only issue you may have is getting these out from between the engine case and around the con rods - not a lot of room. The ring compressors from Honda are made up of two halves joined together.
"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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Re: 1975 GL1000

#19

Post by cfairweather »

Good news, bad news... The bad news is my homemade clamps didn't work as good as clamps. The problem is they slid too easily. The good news is I used large hose clamps and got the job done. I actually did it twice just to practice. Here is my advice on using clamps:
1. Tighten the clamps on the rings until they are tight and then back the screw off 1 turn. Notice how I positioned the clamp in the picture.
2. Position the clamp just barely above the top ring so you can get some of the piston into the cylinder before starting to press on the clamp.
3. Look through the cylinders as you lower the cylinders onto the pistons and get both pistons centered before pressing straight down. After you get about 1/4" of the piston into the cylinder, visually look at the alignment of the cases and slightly twist the case to align the top half of the case to the bottom, then continue pressing down.
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CYBORG
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#20

Post by CYBORG »

Hope you put oil on the rings t help the pistons slide in. If I recall, the bottom of the cyl bore has a chamfer on it to pull the pistons past the bottom of the cyl. No ring compressor needed on the engine half you drop on.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#21

Post by cfairweather »

Yes, I put lots of oil on the rings. The taper on the bottom of the cylinder helps get the rings in and some people might be able to do it without using clamps, but not me. I wouldn't even attempt it without compressing the rings.
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CYBORG
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#22

Post by CYBORG »

I always follow the advice in the Honda manual. Both pistons up, wood blocks under each piston to hold it straight, and up. Block has always slid right on. But your way works too.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
cfairweather
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#23

Post by cfairweather »

About how many have you done without using clamps? Have you broken any rings?
Last edited by cfairweather on Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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CYBORG
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#24

Post by CYBORG »

cfairweather wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:23 pm About haw many have you done without using clamps? Have you broken any rings?
I stopped doing 1000's ten years ago, when bearings got hard to get. But had done, up to that point, 8 or 9 as I recall. Never broke a ring. I'm not saying your way is wrong, just offering a different way, that has worked well for me
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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gltriker
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#25

Post by gltriker »

tumb2
Last edited by gltriker on Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

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cfairweather
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#26

Post by cfairweather »

Maybe I will try it next time. Even if you don't do anything to the bottom end, replacing the rings is a plus on old bikes that sit for many years. Several rings in this engine were frozen in the grooves and were very difficult to remove. I think the newer rings may be improved over the old rings that were originally installed.
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CYBORG
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#27

Post by CYBORG »

cfairweather wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:42 pm Maybe I will try it next time. Even if you don't do anything to the bottom end, a the rings is a plus on old bikes that sit for many years. Several rings in this engine were frozen in the grooves and were very difficult to remove. I think the newer rings may be improved over the old rings that were originally installed.
That may be true. Newer technology and all. I'm just concentrating on 1200,s right now. I do have a 1000 bare block, and a 1200 block with pistons etc. I might get them someday :lol: :lol: :roll:
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Liam
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#28

Post by Liam »

This is interesting. When I was putting together my LTD engine I did a ton of studying on how to do this. I have the Honda manual and it does not mention ring compressors but to rely on the tapers at the bottom of the boxes to do the job while mating the 2 halves together. I asked on here about it just to be sure and I did use lots of oil and blocks like you did and everything slid together easily. I have not fired the engine up yet but I am hoping it is ok . I now have something new to worry about.
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CYBORG
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#29

Post by CYBORG »

Liam wrote: Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:36 am This is interesting. When I was putting together my LTD engine I did a ton of studying on how to do this. I have the Honda manual and it does not mention ring compressors but to rely on the tapers at the bottom of the boxes to do the job while mating the 2 halves together. I asked on here about it just to be sure and I did use lots of oil and blocks like you did and everything slid together easily. I have not fired the engine up yet but I am hoping it is ok . I now have something new to worry about.
As you said, they go together easy. Mine always did as well, and I never had a failed ring
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
cfairweather
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Re: 1975 GL1000

#30

Post by cfairweather »

Looks like clamps are a waste of time. Thanks for sharing.
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