'78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

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pidjones
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'78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#1

Post by pidjones »

Picked up this smelly pile in a Kentucky fence row for a Winter project (appropriate that I should pick it up on the first day of winter). GL1000s I've had are a '77 back in '04, a '78 with '75 motor (the Hunley), a junker '79 that I salvaged a few parts from and still have a few, a '79 that is set up for being my DD next summer when it is too hot for the GL1800, and now..... Johnny 5! (my fifth GL1000).
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It is a '78. Came with the usual Vetter fairing and trunk, rotted-out K&Q seat, ancient tires. Last ran 9 years ago when his dad parked it in a barn. It turns over (with a ratchet on the alternator bolt). Present plan is to get it half-way complete and running, then sell for what I have spent (hopefully). Will need carb and brake rebuild, tires and belts replaced, seat re-foamed and recovered, frame and tins repainted. Fenders look Ok after straightening the kink in the rear. Need to find someone to swap the rear tail light with me - it has a '79 light on it now.
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Last edited by pidjones on Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
"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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Jonesz
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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#2

Post by Jonesz »

I will be watching with bated breath! I am thinking that with your ability she will be soon crowned "the queen of the silver dollar". At least you have the headlight ears and a bucket. The rest can all be bought with $ :)
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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#3

Post by pidjones »

Jonesz wrote:I will be watching with bated breath! I am thinking that with your ability she will be soon crowned "the queen of the silver dollar". At least you have the headlight ears and a bucket. The rest can all be bought with $ :)
Or, dug out of a bucket in the shed. Not sure, but I think all that is needed for the headlight is in my "stash". There are a couple turn signals and stems for the front too, I think.
"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#4

Post by Fred Camper »

All voting for Queen of the Silver Dollar.
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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#5

Post by Track T 2411 »

Fred Camper wrote:All voting for Queen of the Silver Dollar.
Yep! Like it or not, she's been named! lolol lolol lolol

Just curious, is your trailer a harbor freight special? I really should pop for one at some point...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#6

Post by pidjones »

Track T 2411 wrote:
Fred Camper wrote:All voting for Queen of the Silver Dollar.
Yep! Like it or not, she's been named! lolol lolol lolol

Just curious, is your trailer a harbor freight special? I really should pop for one at some point...
Yes, bought it at the perfect time - they had corrected the wheels, sent out coupons for free LED replacement lighting. Then, they stopped selling them for a couple years. When they did resume, the price had increased by ~ $100! It sat in a shed still in boxes for most of that time until completion of the Hunley drew near. I put it together with the axle on top of the springs to lower it a bit, and the tongue moved out just a bit to make it a bit easier to handle and back (still very hard to back being so short). I added HF steel loading ramps upside-down as carry rail and treated decking lumber for walk boards on either side as I had seen too many Youtube videos of folks dumping their bikes and themselves while loading with nothing to brace their feet. This one loads nice. I can ride the Hunley onto it, put the kickstand down, climb off and strap down all by my self. Unload unaided too. The trailer will get a new paint job this Spring.
"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#7

Post by pidjones »

Started stripping her down today. Looks like the center stand mount will need rewelded when I get it stripped down. It goes over so far that the foot lever part hits the floor and causes the bike to lean to the right. Discovered an electronic ignition module in it. Turns out it is a Prestolite module. Will probably be pulling this down to the frame and repainting that as there is surface rust where things like crash bars were added. Bottom of the frame looks good, though. Front brakes off. Controls stripped. Intake manifolds unbolted. Noticed a broken off water manifold bolt, but that's pretty common. Penetrant soaking the crash bar U bolts overnight. A quick look in the tank shows minimal rust on first glance. Removed the speedometer cluster and key switch as the guy had lost the key (along with the key to his CB900 Custom) and this one has obviously been operated on. Ordered a replacement switch already. I'll re-key the shelter lock to match. Electrical interface box disconnected, unmounted, and a couple nuts located to hold it together.

Tomorrow I'll take the title down to the courthouse and get it transferred. Then on to stripping more down. I'd like to keep it on wheels until I can get it outside and pump the remaining gas out of the tank, then roll a dolly under the engine, take both wheels and the front end off before pulling the tank out. After removing the rack, I'll leave the engine strapped to the dolly and unbolt the frame from it and pull it off of the engine - probably pulling the swing arm/rear drive off to make it easier.
"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#8

Post by Track T 2411 »

Sounds like you're making good progress on the bike. Thanks for the info on the trailer, as well!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#9

Post by pidjones »

The rack is off - flipped it over and there are at least 5 different screws out of the 16 bowl screws. Shelter frame removed and most of the electrical system disconnected/unbolted. Very poor 3 yellow wire connector replacement. I just cut the mess out and will use my RC hobby power connectors. Measured continuity between all three and none to ground so, that's good. Besides the missing three-wire, the eight position connector to the rectifier is toast. One connector melted, and one end on both male and female disintegrated. I'm convinced the proximity to the battery fumes causes this. All of the other connectors look Ok, so I hope they clean up well. I'm stalled until after Christmas as I have to do an oil change tomorrow and a few pre-Christmas chores. Hopefully after the holidays I can move the '79 back to the other side of the basement along with the Hunley so I have more room to work. I'll need that room to pull the engine. Also ordered a new 10L US cleaner tonight. And ordered a new(used) petcock - the outlet barb came off with the rubber line.
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"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#10

Post by robin1731 »

The outlet barb can be put back in. Those are just pushed in. Nothing special holding them. If you pull one of the elbows off the carbs where the idle air jet is it is the same way. Don't need any sealer or anything else. Just push it back in all the way.

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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#11

Post by Oldewing »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV5ztdWx56I



Vintage Dr. Hook, love it


Nice work so far, this will be fun.
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Other times we just hug.......

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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#12

Post by pidjones »

robin1731 wrote:The outlet barb can be put back in. Those are just pushed in. Nothing special holding them. If you pull one of the elbows off the carbs where the idle air jet is it is the same way. Don't need any sealer or anything else. Just push it back in all the way.

.
I wish, but it broke part of the body out with the barb.
"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#13

Post by pidjones »

While waiting for it to warm up so I could change the oil in the Equinox, I pulled the exhaust, wiring harness, front brake lines (trash), crash bars (also trash) and inner rear fender.
"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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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#14

Post by rcmatt007 »

:popcornx2
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Re: '78 - pinched another loaf - Johnny 5!

#15

Post by pidjones »

Not much to add until after the holidays and sweet talking the wife into letting me put the '79 in the other side of the basement (so I have room to work). I did go out to the shed this morning and rifled through the spares from the junker '79. Brought back in some useful items like right controls (kill switch broken on the '78) and all eight intake runner bolts (a PO had replaced them with SS Allen heads on the '78). Also noted that I have all four intake runners in good shape from the '79 junker - the ones on the '78 don't look very good. There are two more big plastic storage boxes out there that still need to be gone through, but it might be best to just swap some from the garage with them. Once I get some room to work around it, I'll change the belts and then do a quick compression check. Even barring over with the alternator bolt it seemed to be pretty good, but I'd like numbers.
"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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