1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

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
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#1

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

In the fall came across a 1981 GL1100. It had been dressed up with Hondaline fairing with CD, Cassette and all the goodies, along with Vetter bags and trunk. It had an attached sidecar, and that was all the PO wanted, so I secured the bike for next to nothing. Spent a little time cleaning up and got it start. Compression is good, and it all seems to be in good order. So decided to do a naked resto-mod. Nothing drastic, but new seat, bars, exhaust, lights and paint. So the winter project is now underway.
Attachments
Found her abandoned in a yard.
Found her abandoned in a yard.
IMG_2776.jpg (421.06 KiB) Viewed 653 times
Starting the teardown process
Starting the teardown process
IMG_3088.JPG (296.17 KiB) Viewed 653 times
Down to the frame
Down to the frame
IMG_0677.jpg (187.65 KiB) Viewed 653 times
Yes, I am doing the belts!
Yes, I am doing the belts!
IMG_0671.jpg (156.66 KiB) Viewed 653 times
User avatar
Fred Camper
Vice President
Vice President
Posts: 6890
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
Location: Metro Detroit
Contact:

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#2

Post by Fred Camper »

Seems like good bones, is the removable frame section intact? Teardown looks to be complete!
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#3

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

Fred, Yes the frame section is intact. Looks like everything is there and working. Of course I will need to find headlight and arms, and I will replacing tail lights and signals. After clean up all electronics were working, and the transmission moved thru the gears smoothly, but we will be going over all of that. Since compression is good, probably won't crack the case though.
User avatar
Fred Camper
Vice President
Vice President
Posts: 6890
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
Location: Metro Detroit
Contact:

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#4

Post by Fred Camper »

No cracking the case, usually the gaskets cost similar to a known good engine so stick with what you have. Good call on your part.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#5

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin. Looks like you jumped right in! From the pics, it looks like a nice solid bike. Enjoy the ride!
"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.
User avatar
JamesPal
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:57 pm
Location: Bellevue, Waashington USA

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#6

Post by JamesPal »

Nice to see another '81 being saved. The headlights are not that hard to find, they were used on several Hondas in those years. The headlight ears might be a little harder.
"If everything is under control you are not going fast enough" - Mairo Andretti

'85 GL1200I
'81 GL1100 STD
'72 CB450
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#7

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

JamesPal wrote:Nice to see another '81 being saved. The headlights are not that hard to find, they were used on several Hondas in those years. The headlight ears might be a little harder.
There seems to be plenty of aftermarket options for headlight buckets and ears. I think a Euro style 7" is probably the direction I'll go. Leaves a little extra room to hide wiring.

The "81 was the first year they were assembled at the Marysville, OH plant that is right up the road from me. I thought it was a nice added touch of trivia. Thanks for the feedback.
User avatar
LastMohawk
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 236
Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:57 am
Location: Eifel, Germany
Contact:

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#8

Post by LastMohawk »

Hello Kirkj1s2,
you'r a good man. You save an old wing from falling apart on the roadside. And you do it just in the right time. the technique still seems to be in good shape. I'm curious how she looks when your work is done.
Have fun and a save journey

Greetings
Harald
"Sometimes it takes more than luck to keep the wheels spinning just right."

77 GL1000 "Uschi"
User avatar
Liam
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2066
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:23 am
Location: Ireland

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#9

Post by Liam »

Zooming in on the frame it looks really rust free for one left outside to the elements. It amazes me about the different climates. Over here after a year outside it would be riddled with rust. You have the makings of a really nice machine.
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#10

Post by rcmatt007 »

looks like it was a vetter sidecar
-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
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#11

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

Everything cleaned up, new gaskets, seals, bits and pieces, real for reassembly.
Engine cleaned up and back in the frame
Engine cleaned up and back in the frame
IMG_3396.jpg (263.26 KiB) Viewed 541 times
Coming together
Coming together
IMG_3409.jpg (285.79 KiB) Viewed 541 times
User avatar
ritalz
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4090
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:22 am
Location: St Louis, MO

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#12

Post by ritalz »

Lookin good.
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
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#13

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

There are a lot of fiddly bits that need to be done. Carbs are cleaned and rebuilt and assembled, Radiator was flushed tests and repainted, wiring is coming together, and controls are getting installed. I have a seat on order and coming in next couple weeks, exhaust is new and in house, i have brakes and tires and wheels to get cleaned up and installed. New paint needs to be applied to plastics and finishing touches. Hoping for a great summer! (sorry about the side ways pics, not sure what I did wrong there)
Attachments
Radiator In Place
Radiator In Place
IMG_3410.JPG (284.02 KiB) Viewed 540 times
Controls getting sorted.
Controls getting sorted.
IMG_3427.JPG (270.31 KiB) Viewed 540 times
Wiring is coming together.
Wiring is coming together.
IMG_3429.JPG (281.72 KiB) Viewed 540 times
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#14

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

Fred Camper wrote:Seems like good bones, is the removable frame section intact? Teardown looks to be complete!
Yes it is in surprisingly good shape. The frame section was still connected to the engine at the point of that pic. It has gone together pretty well. I am excited by its progress.
Kirkj1s2
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Re: 1981 GL1100 Saved from becoming yard art.

#15

Post by Kirkj1s2 »

Track T 2411 wrote:Welcome from Wisconsin. Looks like you jumped right in! From the pics, it looks like a nice solid bike. Enjoy the ride!
Thanks. I lived in Wisconsin for a short time after college in the greater Green Bay area. Beautiful and the people were fantastic. Looking forward to the finished ride.
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Members Restorations and Projects”