1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

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mwallette
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1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#1

Post by mwallette »

A few of weeks ago, I acquired my second 1978 GL1000 project bike. I (foolishly) sold my original GL1000 project several years ago before ever getting it running, so now I'm looking to redeem myself, lol.

About the Bike:
It looks to be largely original and in reasonably good shape. The previous owner bought it roughly a year ago, intended to remove the Vetter fairing and fix the inoperative front brakes. In the intervening year, the battery died; it's now 100% inop. The original headlight bucket was missing, as were the original turn signals, but he had already acquired replacements. I'm not crazy about the replacement turn signals, but they'll do for now (they are rectangular, black plastic units that look nothing like the OEM blinkers on the rear of the bike.

Design Brief:
I like the lines of the stock bike, and one thing I've learned during the build of my XS750 cafe racer is that it is very important to get the bike running before sinking a lot of money into cosmetic upgrades. Often times, you will find that a design decision that looked good on paper isn't so good in the real world, so spend enough time getting a feel for the bike -- and fixing the real show-stopper maintenance items -- before sinking a lot of time, effort and money into items that would be nice, but aren't strictly necessary. Therefore, phase 1 of this project is minimal changes, just to get the bike operational. Take care of typical maintenance items (fluids, timing belts, etc.), then complete the Vetter removal and install the new headlight bucket and turn signals. Replace the battery. After that, suspension upgrades to make the bike more comfortable for 2-up travel. I'm happy with the Progressive Suspension fork springs and Hagon 2810 TTSA shocks on my cafe racer, so I'll most likely use them on the 'Wing, too (in fact, I've already got the fork springs).

This bike is intended for 2-up riding with my wife in the motorcycle organization (http://www.bacaworld.org) we ride with, so anything that makes this bike more useful in this role is a priority for me. I'll ride solo all over the state -- or beyond -- but 2-up trips will be an hour or less each way, with a reasonably long break between outbound and return legs. My wife rides too, but on any trip longer than that, she'd rather be in a cage <shrug>
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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TNTbefree
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#2

Post by TNTbefree »

Sounds like a fun project. Feel free to post a ton of pictures. Looking forward to it. I'm going to be picking up a 78 soon myself. Plan on building it for my wife. Good luck.
Last edited by TNTbefree on Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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mwallette
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Pictures

#3

Post by mwallette »

This is how the 'Wing looked when I brought it home:
Image

...and because I have issues :lol: I used a tool (http://kanbanflow.com) that we use at work for project tracking and planning to map out the rebuild:
Image

As you can see in the kanban, I've already started on some of the basic maintenance items. I've already changed the timing belts and oil, I've lubed the control cables, adjusted clutch free play (is the clutch adjuster -- not the free play adjustment, but the actual clutch mechanism adjuster -- REALLY in the center of the engine where you can't reach it?!?! confused22 )

On the downside, I found why the front brakes weren't working:
Image

Yeah, that's a crack running the full length of the brake cylinder. There's a replacement in the mail from an E-Bay seller...I hope that one is rebuildable.

On the plus side, I removed the old battery and temporarily plugged in the old one from my V-Strom after completing the oil change to see if I could get the bike to start...or at least turn over. To my great relief, the engine actually started and ran dancr so I at least know that I didn't just buy an expensive piece of artwork.

The complete photo album (a work in progress): https://picasaweb.google.com/1132673829 ... directlink

...to be continued...
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
heraldhamster
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Re: Pictures

#4

Post by heraldhamster »

mwallette wrote: To my great relief, the engine actually started and ran so I at least know that I didn't just buy an expensive piece of artwork.

...to be continued...
AWESOME! good on ya man. keep us updated. I'm kinda partial to the '78 & '79s as well... that's why I have seven in various states sitting around (admittedly, three are parts scavenge bikes, two are runners & two to build)
sorta bulldogged custom 1978 GL1000 - "geekster"
full Vetter dress 1979 GL1000 - "Barge" (currently down)
1986 1200 Aspencade - "Heart of Gold" - daily rider
1990 1500 Aspencade - It's ALIVE! but very, very naked. not in a good way.
1978 for $100 - project in worx
1978 from a previous member here - taking up space
my original '79 bought in '91 - replacing engine (eventually, maybe someday)

H2G2=42

A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity. ~ Robert A. Heinlein

The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson
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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#5

Post by mwallette »

So I think I may have figured out why the battery was inop when I bought the 'Wing...is it a bad thing to read 16.7V at 2000 RPM? :shock: Guess I'll be buying a battery AND a new voltage regulator for the bike!
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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rcmatt007
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#6

Post by rcmatt007 »

a 78.... now this a resto thread that interests me anim-cheers1 dancr
-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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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#7

Post by mwallette »

After waiting several days for brake pads, brake line fittings, etc. to arrive, I finally was able to hook up the new, braided stainless steel brake lines that the previous owner had bought.

...or try to, anyway:
Image

The brake line is about one, maybe one and a half inches too short!

I eventually wanted to put on lower handlebars, anyway -- something like the ones on my V-Strom, or a Triumph Speed Triple:
Image

...but not as radical as the bars on my XS750 "Rat Cafe" bike:
Image

Since this is the brake line from the master cylinder to the splitter, I'll make the handlebars a priority, which should lower the master cylinder enough to make the brake line reach the splitter.

On an unrelated note, I also received all the parts I need to rebuild the front forks, and install the Progressive Suspension springs. w00t!
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#8

Post by mwallette »

So what am I doing wrong?

I opened up the forks to install new seals and Progressive Suspension springs, just like I did on my Yamaha. Getting all of the seals out was...fun :IDTS: ...but I got there. I installed the new seals, new springs, etc., then tried to figure out how much of the Honda 10w fork oil to add. I've got a 16 oz. bottle. Progressive says don't fill more than 140mm from the top of the collapsed fork without having installed the springs, but the manual gives capacities only (roughly 6 oz.), so I set my fork oil measuring tool to 180mm...and ran out of oil before topping off the second fork. I'm close, but does it *REALLY* take more than 8 oz. of oil for a complete refill?!?! I had oil left over from the 16 oz. bottle of Yamalube on my XS750 (although it does have slightly smaller fork tubes -- 36mm, IIRC, as opposed to 37 on the GL1000.

I guess I can always fill it how I think I should, and adjust later, but advice would be appreciated!

Edit: fixed a couple of typos and grammar mistakes. I had typed the post above on my cell phone, lol.
Last edited by mwallette on Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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ritalz
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#9

Post by ritalz »

If I remember correctly, the gl1000 only takes 7.2 ounces per side.
Al

2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#10

Post by mwallette »

Thanks! I thought north of 8 oz. seemed a little high.
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#11

Post by mwallette »

I finished up the fork rebuild the other night, then, not having enough common sense to quit, I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. (even though I had an obligation at 8:30, lol) reinstalling the freshly rebuilt brake calipers, the new Dime City Cycles fork ears (for mounting the headlight bucket), the new headlight and the temporary turn signals.

Image
Image

I'm not really happy with the turn signals, since they don't match the OEM turn signals on the rear of the bike, but I've got my eye on a set at Dime City Cycles. That's a cosmetic fix, however, so it's a lower priority.

Unfortunately, that pretty much catches me up with all the work I can do until I get more parts. However, there was one easy, low-priority item on my to-do list that I could knock out tonight. On my bike, the shelters on the faux tank are only held in place by the thumb wheels inside the storage compartment; the hinge pins are completely missing. I drove to Lowe's a few days ago to see if they had any hinge pins in 1/4" diameter (what I measured with my calipers) and 2 3/4" long (IIRC). They didn't, but they did have a length of 1/4" steel rod.

Hmmm...if I cut the steel rod to the right length with my angle grinder, then VEEEERRRRYYYY carefully drill out a hole at each end with my drill press and a vise, I should be able to fabricate a good-enough hinge pin relatively easily.

My first attempt ALMOST worked. I cut the hinge pin properly, but put too much pressure on the drill bit, causing it to deflect off to the side, carving a semi-circle in the edge of the hinge pin instead of a neat hole through the center of the pin. Fortunately, the pin was long enough for me to cut off the bad end and try again, and this time: success. I fabricated three more hinge pins the same way, then reinstalled the shelters on the 'Wing.

Any machinist worth the name would roll his eyes at my hinge pins. They are simple and crude, but they work and cost less than the shipping for a Honda hinge pin on E-Bay, so I'm happy with them.
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#12

Post by rcmatt007 »

mine are only held by the "thumb nobs" since 78, as I have a vetter fairing and it allows me to pull them off, and the fairing would not allow them to open. Randakk has replacements. Also, back in the day with vetter fairings, some people used a steel knitting needle slide through both back to front. When you wanted to get in, you pulled back the needle and undid the nobs.
-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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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#13

Post by mwallette »

Ahhh...that explains it, then. My bike had the Vetter fairing too, until the previous owner started removing it (thus the aftermarket headlight bucket and turn signals). It still had the Vetter mounting bracket installed when I bought the bike.
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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mwallette
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#14

Post by mwallette »

Quick question for the forum technical gurus: what is the correct way to measure the rear shock length? I'm starting the search for replacements, and want to make sure I get the right length. On a forum search, I've found 13 inches eye-to eye, just a hair over 13 inches, 13 1/2 inches, so I figured I could just go measure what's already on the bike...but since the length will vary as weight is applied (that's kind of the point...), is that length with the shock installed, or removed from the bike? If installed, then is it measured with the rear wheel raised on the center stand, or not?

Thanks!
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650
1977 Yamaha XS750 cafe racer project
1978 GL1000 "new" resto-mod project
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
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Re: 1978 GL1000 Resto-mod

#15

Post by robin1731 »

Removed from the bike.
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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