$200 1979 GL1000 barn find

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!

Moderators: Brant, Sagebrush, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#31

Post by pidjones »

Loosen the radiator mount bolts and wedge it out as far as you can. Then use a 10mm ratchet-head wrench (GearWrench) to get the cover bolts. I've done brakes now on three GL1000s. I still hate brakes.
"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
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#32

Post by CYBORG »

there is a special wrench that allows you to remove the covers without moving the radiator. Randakk sells them. I have one, and it works well
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
ritalz
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4090
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:22 am
Location: St Louis, MO

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#33

Post by ritalz »

One trick that has been documented somewhere on this site. Once you have the covers off, put a short bolt and nut in the two inner holes and simply use the two outer bolts to hold the covers in place. Makes the next time you remove the covers super easy.
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
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#34

Post by CYBORG »

I have seen that. And I admit, it seems to work well. But the first time, before that, the inner bolt has to be taken out
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#35

Post by desertrefugee »

I havent run inner bolts since Ive had mine.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#36

Post by ejedmond »

Well ill probably pull the radiator to flush it and change rubbers once its running anyway so I may do that, not a bad idea. Those ratcheting wrenches would probably be a good enough fix for me, its really only the one bolt on the starboard side that's a struggle there's more room on the other side.
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#37

Post by ejedmond »

Long time no update anyways got the carbs all reassembled, polished the covers a bit as well. Checked cold compression all cylinders about 75-80 psi. But discovered no spark on 2 cylinders. (Same coil)

I believe this is why this bike was parked the owner included a prestolite ignition model 70-45. I ordered a new coil from saber cycle because the secondaries measured 2kohm more on that coil vs the other.

I’ve read that a lot of people change these to electronic ignitions. Is it worth it, I don’t have a problem setting points but if anyone has experience would love to hear.

Updated photos too cause why not.
Attachments
2D6DBB42-8292-4F89-809C-124FB30C01D6.jpeg
2D6DBB42-8292-4F89-809C-124FB30C01D6.jpeg (286.13 KiB) Viewed 199 times
6D2BEC11-A626-4230-9632-BB752AD84258.jpeg
6D2BEC11-A626-4230-9632-BB752AD84258.jpeg (267.26 KiB) Viewed 199 times
D4294D1A-881B-4449-83A6-3BB0E9CB7A16.jpeg
D4294D1A-881B-4449-83A6-3BB0E9CB7A16.jpeg (135.5 KiB) Viewed 199 times
C984EC4B-B7D0-40E5-99AC-9802D8C86275.jpeg
C984EC4B-B7D0-40E5-99AC-9802D8C86275.jpeg (166.53 KiB) Viewed 199 times
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#38

Post by pidjones »

Compression 75-80 psi is not going to run, but cranking over a lot more may break rings free. Make sure 1) test with throttle open WIDE an choke OFF 2) check with fully charged battery 3) adjust valves properly before testing. Put a shot of motor oil fown each cylinder and check again.
"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
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#39

Post by ejedmond »

I’ve never got in the 100’s with a cold engine 75 (cold) is more than enough. Have checked cold compression on many bikes I’ve had before they’ve ran. Throttle was not WOT and garage temp was 35 F. Ignore that part purely focused on the ignition question
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#40

Post by robin1731 »

ejedmond wrote:snip...….. Ignore that part purely focused on the ignition question
I have no issues with points. But I like the idea of setting electronic ignition one time and not touching it again. I do switch all my bikes over to electronic. Well, all but the 1966 CA160 I have right now. ;)

.
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
User avatar
pidjones
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3237
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 4:06 pm
Location: East TN

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#41

Post by pidjones »

The only problem with points IMHO is the poor quality replacement points and condensers available now. I converted my '79 to points-actuated electronic. Still has points for timing, but very little current (causing errosion) goes through them, and a Ford TFI module fires the coils and controls dwell. Dynas are the main system used on GL1000s these days, and I've heard good things about them. Coils do fail, but more are replaced due to poor wiring or incorrect points setting, just because folks don't know points ignitions anymore. 2k difference is not causing no-fire. Check (unscrew from the leads and check individually) your plug caps - should be ~5k Ohm each. Then check the coil secondarys without the caps. Check all primary connections and wires (GL1000 easy to short a lead in the points area) and condensers.
"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
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#42

Post by ejedmond »

Thanks pidjones. I’ll try getting the coils off so I can measure the primaries. I did have one failed cap. Since replaced. I’ll check the points side of things too haven’t take the time but since I have an electronic ignition too I may try it. May just need to clean them, could be corrosion on the points.
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#43

Post by ejedmond »

results, with caps removed getting 14.22 kohm other 14.4 kohm on secondaries. Primaries I’m getting 2 and 2.3 which I believe is fine. Caps are 4.6, 6.25, 4.6, 5.26 (this explains that resistance difference. So I believe this proves the coils are probably good.

Following the manual, I checked the ballast resistor and got the expected 3 ohm. (I’d expect no spark if this was failed)

Next is the capacitor(condenser) and here’s where I got an interesting result. 2 circuits on it, one for each coil. First measured 262 nano Fahrrads and the other 2.8 micro Fahrrads. This seems like it could be the problem... thoughts?
Last edited by ejedmond on Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
ejedmond
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:57 pm

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#44

Post by ejedmond »

Oh and just found this.... big crack in the coil.
Attachments
EAAAE156-AE99-4F5A-8D2D-B96CF168236D.jpeg
EAAAE156-AE99-4F5A-8D2D-B96CF168236D.jpeg (184.53 KiB) Viewed 138 times
Last edited by ejedmond on Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1979 GL1000
1980 CB650C
1981 KZ1000K
1989 KX250
2004 R1
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: $200 1979 GL1000 barn find

#45

Post by robin1731 »

ejedmond wrote:Oh and just found this.... big crack in the coil.

That is never good.

.
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
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Members Restorations and Projects”