'79 Wing and a Prayer

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NotSoLilCrippseys
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'79 Wing and a Prayer

#1

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

I pulled the trigger on a '79 GL1000 today.

I couldn't say back out when he immediately agreed to my offer.

I drove out on a bone-chilling, pouring, freezing-rain day for what I had been told was a '78.

Not knowing how to differentiate from just a few internet photos, I figured he was right. But the bike says she's a '79.

She'll need the motor pulled, as the PO reports that the starter chain broke sometime after he replaced the starter. If the story can be believed, he inherited the bike when his brother passed, rode 'er for about a year, had a starter issue, and... Since then, she sat in a buddy's shed until a couple months back, when the bike got evicted.
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I have yet to haul her out of the PO's yard, and I expect I won't do much of anything to her before the new year. She'll be the winter project I had thought Cabernet would be.

Quick hands-on report: The exhaust looks good, felt solid as I groped around underneath, etc. No rust on the frame under the battery area, at the removable crossmember, or down near the swingarm. No-holes/tears on the Corbin king/queen. No fork ears or remnants under the Vetter fairing. As there's no key and I didn't want to break/deform the shelter cover, I have not checked the condition of the tank. The missing side panel is apparently somewhere in the PO's garage, along with the key. I bought her on the condition that both would come with the bike. He is sure he has them. There's also a brand new rear tire, apparently. (I'll see what the date code says about "new" before I decide to mount it.)

Owner says it's the original paint. No. But maybe it's the same color code? The paint is in great shape.

Soon, I'll have earned the privilege of printing and hanging a copy of the Anatomy of a Masterpiece poster.
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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pidjones
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#2

Post by pidjones »

Not a '79 tail light. But, so much aftermarket stuff it would be hard to tell otherwise. '79 frames had extra gussets to the cross-member that the center stand mounts to.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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wingrider
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#3

Post by wingrider »

How much did you have to give for it? I would say that the tail light looks like a 78…. If you were looking for a project, you certainly found one! anim-cheers1
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Jonesz
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#4

Post by Jonesz »

wingrider wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:08 am How much did you have to give for it? I would say that the tail light looks like a 78…. If you were looking for a project, you certainly found one! anim-cheers1
Yep the turn signals look round like 78 but the VIN plate should specify year
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#5

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Thanks for the tips on differentiating model years. VIN plate clearly says 1979.

Tail lights are '78 round, which is part of the reason I figured the ad was accurate on the model year. Personally, I like the look of the round ones over the rectangles.

$200 ante for this project. The real money (and time) will come in getting it running and road worthy.

Word this AM is that seller found the keys; side panel is still AWOL in what is undoubtedly a very cluttered garage. He does seem committed to getting me all he has for the bike.
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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pidjones
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#6

Post by pidjones »

You'll need both side panels because the one on it is not a '78/79 right side panel.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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rcmatt007
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#7

Post by rcmatt007 »

that is not an OEM color. I wonder if this bike was pieced together with 78 and 79 stuff. Regardless the engine seriel numbers both start with a 4, And only the early 78's had different carbs. Other than the year, what does the plate say month/year?

I am guessing too that the one side cover is not a 78/9, but pictures can be really deceiving at that angle. And earlier side covers will not mount on a 78-9.

Broke a starter chain.... how the heck do you break a starter chain???? I bet it just has froze up rollers

BTW where abouts are you?
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Whiskerfish
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#8

Post by Whiskerfish »

79 Vin is 41XXXXX 78 is 40XXXXX
Definitely looks to have some 78 parts. Might be a early year 79 build. Have heard of a few that had a mix (78/79) in parts.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#9

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Inquiring minds want to know! I really appreciate the good vibes.

Maybe it is an early '79 with some hodgepodge thing going on. The owner thinks/thought it is a '78. (Maybe he even had it registered as a '78.)

I'm scheduled to pick up the bike on Wednesday morning. After that, I'll be able to provide more details and do a bit more investigating.

The side panel looks like either an earlier or later panel (more roundish/square than rectangle-ish) in the photo. I don't know that anything but a 78 or 79 cover will mount to the bike, so it's hard to think it's the wrong panel. But where there's a will...

There's the owner's story about the starter chain. And there's reality. (I learned this just last summer with Cabernet.) Maybe he's way off. I initially thought he might be confusing a starter clutch issue with a failed starter or broken chain. But he was pretty firm about what he saw.

I'll definitely report what's what - once I find out.

rcmatt007: I'm on the Maine seacoast, up the road a bit from Portsmouth, NH. I'm pulling this 78/9 out of the Maine woods near the New Hampshire line.
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
User avatar
skydog
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#10

Post by skydog »

It does have the 79 square brake master with 79 clutch perch and 79 big button hand controls.My 85 interstate had a blown starter chain when I got it , almost like they couldn't get the starter out and horsed it to far and broke it.I'd say you did good,that grab rail is worth a least half of what you paid.My guess is it had bags that were taken off and p.o. improvised the earlier taillight.
75 naked "Blue Streak" gone
78 fairing bags "Brownie" 4 sale
80 standard project 4 sale
84 Standard, Vetter bags "Horse with no name"
85 Interstate gone
84 aspy
86 aspy
"When the day comes to settle down,who's to blame if you're not around?You took the long way home"
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pidjones
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#11

Post by pidjones »

Looks like maybe the chrome headlight mounting ears have been removed (why didn't they all do that instead of hack-sawing off the signal mounts?) If so, ask if they are around too. They are GOLD!
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
User avatar
NotSoLilCrippseys
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Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2020 8:21 am
Location: York County, Maine

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#12

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

I picked up the '79 today. It's a '79 (41XXXXXX).

He could not produce the left side panel, though he promises to text me when he comes across it in the garage.

Clearly, the PO is overwhelmed by the volume of "stuff" left from his brother's estate. This bike was just one of the many things on his mind. He gave me what he had that he could find.

I didn't get the "slick salesman" vibe from the PO. He seemed genuine in telling me he rode the bike for a few months about a year ago, before the starter went. He said it ran smoothly, shifted easily, and that the right caliper leaked a bit. He changed out the starter, rode it a bit, and then the chain broke. I'm going with that report for now.

I should have had a more jaundiced eye in looking the bike over last weekend:
  • The right side panel is from a '75-77. It has the top tabs but is ziptied to the frame at the bottom.
  • Either the PO or his brother were busy with silver paint at some point in the past, as there's paint on some of the chromed bits - covering rust, no doubt.
  • The timing belt covers are not tightened down, which has me a little nervous about what might be going on behind them. (Here's hoping there ARE belts in there and that the timing is spot on. New belts will be a given, but I'd like not to have bent valves to think about.)
  • Not surprisingly, the tires are cracked, split, and unsafe at any speed. The so-called new - never mounted - tire has an '06 date code. I should have looked at it before tossing it in the bed of the truck.
  • Brakes are unresponsive (but not seized, which is something!). I was told that one caliper leaks. A all-round rebuild was on the initial to-do list.
  • I do have keys, one for the ignition and one for the shelter, so that's good.
  • I have not rolled up my sleeves to dig out the giant pile of mouse nest under the shelter cover, so I don't yet know what the tank looks like.
Initial impressions tell me this GL will require more to get her on the road than either of the first two - and possibly more than both combined.

I'd like to get some modicum of brake at the lever for safety reasons, as I've got some inclines and descents to navigate in order to put the bike away for winter. I'll also vacuum out the shelter. Beyond that, I think this build thread will be pretty idle for a bit.

I can't troubleshoot in the yard with snow and all. I need my son home to help me get it up the ramp and into the workshop. And he has a CB550 project taking up our limited workspace as it awaits his return from college. My best case scenario is that I get him to help me a little in January, after we roll his project aside to make room for me to work on this GL when he's back at school. With luck, we confirm/debunk the "starter chain broke" story and maybe pull the motor before he leaves.
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
User avatar
rcmatt007
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#13

Post by rcmatt007 »

We have a good friend in kennebunk. Will be visiting her in June or july
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#14

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

rcmatt007 wrote: Wed Dec 15, 2021 9:14 pm We have a good friend in kennebunk. Will be visiting her in June or july
That's my neck of the woods!
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
User avatar
rcmatt007
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Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#15

Post by rcmatt007 »

We were up there twice last summer (before delta) once I was on my Morgan three wheeler, and the other our Harleys. Am thinking of taking our boat (17 v-hull) next summer. it looks like there is public launching into Portland bay. Might be fun to catch a stripper (not striper)
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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