'79 Wing and a Prayer

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gltriker
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#226

Post by gltriker »

action1 Very Good 👍
Cliff ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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rcmatt007
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#227

Post by rcmatt007 »

great

electrical gremilans are a bitch trying to figure out where the prblem is. Heck I still haven't figured the neutral light on my
ltd
-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

#228

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

It's really nice when things come back together, as you all know. The electrical gremlin issue is definitely a PITA.

This afternoon, armed with my new-to-me CBR600 regulator, I got busy with some wire strippers, connectors, heat shrink, and liquid electrical tape.

Here's the story in pictures, with words interspersed.

This regulator swap is a well-known fix for the old GL1000 charging system that eliminates the OEM two-part regulator and rectifier set up. It's quite straightforward, which is convenient when it comes to electrical (or mechanical) matters.

First, I removed the battery to pull the battery tray away from the frame enough to remove the old rectifier with my 10mm and mounted the new-to-me regulator/rectifier unit. As you can see my plug is a bit ratty. I guess that's what 45 years of life next to a battery can do for you.
PXL_20231022_181540839.jpg
I ran out to Ace with my old rectifier to get matching female connectors that I could plug individually into the remaining part of the OEM plug. I split the red and green wires off the CBR600 unit each in half, to split the load and match up with what's coming off the wiring harness plug. Using heat shrink, with liquid electrical tape as a goopy sealer of sorts, I put a pretty decent seal on each wire. (Strange fact: there are 3 green wires coming into the plug, but the old rectifier has only two wires. That had me puzzled a bit, but I just left the old dead end as it was.)
PXL_20231022_192420156.jpg
Conveniently, I was able to attach each female to the corresponding male, and it tucked in nice and nice.
PXL_20231022_193923960.jpg
It's not shown in the photos, but I wrapped things up pretty well with electrical tape to help reduce the potential for water incursion. I'd say that I have it about as tight as it was with the old plug, with each connection insulated from the others.

After getting things hooked up, I snipped the 3 wires running to the regulator, taped them off nicely, and fired up the bike. My multimeter shows that I'm getting a nice 14.5v to the battery. Steady.
PXL_20231022_195100853.jpg
And my on-board voltmeter is now safely back in the normal range, way down from up in the 15/16v "white zone" of danger.
s
PXL_20231022_203300759.jpg
What a wonderful hack. I recommend it to ANYONE struggling with a failed regulator/rectifier situation on these bikes. I think I paid $35 for the CBR600 unit, including shipping. It had a couple nicks in the wires near the plugs, which perhaps made it less desirable to eBayers. But I wasn't going to use those plugs anyway.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 GL1100I - son's naked Blue Phoenix
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet (surf bike)
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe
1983 CB550SC - one owner, 5k, great paint & seat/good chrome (will soon sell)
1986 VFR700 - fun throwback in RWB

Active and Semi-active Project(s)
1976 GL1000 - sulphur yellow, original paint (it's now official: winter '24-5 project)
FrankenWing - 1980 GL1100 motor in 1982 or 1983 frame (still deciding, so maybe semi-active).

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
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gltriker
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Posts: 5230
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 9:11 pm
Location: central NY State

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#229

Post by gltriker »

action1 excellent ! tumb2
Cliff ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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pidjones
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#230

Post by pidjones »

I did something similar years ago, but in addition eliminated ~1 meter of unnessesary stator lead going to/from the left handlebar connector. In some countries, one phase is used to power the headlight through that connection. On the US models, there is just a jumper between the two pins. I eliminated that and connected directly the the RR connector.
"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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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Location: York County, Maine

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#231

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

It's always somethin'...

Today, 5 miles into my commute home, the clutch cable broke at the lever. No spare laying around, so Ginger is out of commission for probably another week while I source a new one and await delivery.

The good news is that I was able to manage the 4 left hand stop signs and right at the light without having to cut power to the bike and actually stop. I got really lucky timing the traffic at rush hour, it would seem - including the right turn on red onto one of our semi-busy roads. The first left was dicey, as I was really dragging it to hold back until a massive dump truck came through the intersection. I almost flipped the kill switch.

When I pulled in the driveway and parked the bike, I found this.
PXL_20231023_215132035.MP.jpg
It happens. And I wasn't 100 miles from home and on a back road run.

Even with Ginger's on again/off again temperament, I'm rapidly closing in on 4000 road miles since I backed her out of the shed. That's not bad. I'm getting darned near the break-in point for a GL1000, which I understand to be roughly 50,000 miles. At that point, I think I'll be able to stop nursing her and push her a bit. :)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 GL1100I - son's naked Blue Phoenix
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet (surf bike)
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe
1983 CB550SC - one owner, 5k, great paint & seat/good chrome (will soon sell)
1986 VFR700 - fun throwback in RWB

Active and Semi-active Project(s)
1976 GL1000 - sulphur yellow, original paint (it's now official: winter '24-5 project)
FrankenWing - 1980 GL1100 motor in 1982 or 1983 frame (still deciding, so maybe semi-active).

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

#232

Post by rcmatt007 »

about 10 years ago I got back from a 2000 mile trip, the next day I went out to start the bike and pulled the lever and had that happen. Thankfully it was in my garage, not a 1000 miles from home
-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
LLRelease
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Location: Charleston, SC

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#233

Post by LLRelease »

I spent hours reading through the entire thread, with the last post being 1 year ago. Would love to have an update on Ginger? I am a couple months into my own 79 restoration project.
'79 GL1000 GoldWing (work in progress)
'82 GL500 SilverWing
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#234

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

LLRelease wrote: Fri Aug 30, 2024 2:31 pm I spent hours reading through the entire thread, with the last post being 1 year ago. Would love to have an update on Ginger? I am a couple months into my own 79 restoration project.
LLRelease: I'm honored that you found my build worth your time! Almost everything I know about the old Wings I learned from this forum. I can't seem to find your build thread for your bike. Please start one if it's not already started.

I've been delinquent on NGWClub this summer for reasons that should not be treated as excuses. I have been busy:
  • I put a really sweet winter/spring 79 GL1000 (full Vetter kit) project in beautiful shape back on the road. Then I sold it.
  • I brought a barn find one-owner 83 CB550SC Nighthawk back from the grave in June. Fun, fast ride that really looks good. I'll sell her soon enough.
  • And in July, I took a semi-stripped for parts 86 VFR700, sourced bits from Great Britain, Florida, and Texas, and turned her into a super fun bike. I am having too much fun riding that bike - to the point of asking for trouble with local LEOs.
  • I installed 60' of stockade fence, which required me to also unstack and restack 4 cords of firewood.
  • And then there was my actual job. Oh, that.
About Ginger, she's rockin' it. I absolutely LOVE THAT BIKE! Truly.

The color pops. She presents as a mean machine, even sitting still in the parking lot. People comment all the time and want to know what I'm riding. Folks on this forum know what I mean - and you will too, soon enough.

Last summer, one guy asked, "Did you put a Subaru flat four into a motorcycle?" I laughed. They struggle to believe me when I tell them it's a GoldWing. A Wing is supposed to be something else entirely. And it's a '79, so that's a whole other conversation starter. Kids are always drawn to the toy dinosaur head mounted to the clutch lever, which I enjoy.

I'm now about 150 shy of 50,000 miles, which means I'm oh-so-close to putting 5k on her since I saved her from becoming scrap metal.

I did have really frustrating fuel and spark delivery challenges over much of '24 that kept me from rolling on the miles. But those are now sorted, and she's loading them up again. She'll top 50k in the next week - or two. If I recall correctly, someone on the forum indicated that she needed to have 50k before she was broken in enough for highway use.

Here's an early summer photo of Ginger next to that '79 build. (I documented the build of the bike in the background on a different thread.)
PXL_20240524_130430015 (1).jpg
I recently swapped out the Bridgestone Battleax rear for another tire. I loved the tire, but the Bridgestone didn't even get me 5k, which was disappointing. Maybe I ride too hard? I opted or a Tourmaster, figuring that if I'm going to get 4-5k from a rear I might as well not spend close to $200 for it.

I might try to source a Lester rear, which I think could enable me to run a Michelin Commander II or III. The Michelin's are spendy, but I've had good, long wear experience with them on my GLs. (My son's GL - a bike we dubbed "Blue Phoenix" when we built it in '21 - has 12k miles and still has what might be 4-5k left on the tread.) The Commanders have a sporty look, and I've found them reliable in our conditions in Maine - winters included.

With my '83 front end on Ginger, I could swap on an alloy 83 front wheel (black/silver accents) that would look ok with a Lester rear. Right now, I have a Comstar from an '82 up front and the original silver Comstar rear. Not the match I'd prefer.

The Lester is not as tall as the '79 Comstar, which would affect fuel economy at speed. But I believe I could play a bit with tire size to make up some of the difference. Also, Ginger isn't a superslab tourer; she's really my fun back road twisties bike and commuter.

My left fork seal is blown, so that needs to be done. And I still have a pesky oil seep from the water pump weep hole that manifests only when she's on the center stand. I'm not all that concerned about it. When I do the fork seal, I'll probably install the Progressive springs I have and stiffen up the front a bit.

Good luck with your build!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 GL1100I - son's naked Blue Phoenix
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet (surf bike)
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe
1983 CB550SC - one owner, 5k, great paint & seat/good chrome (will soon sell)
1986 VFR700 - fun throwback in RWB

Active and Semi-active Project(s)
1976 GL1000 - sulphur yellow, original paint (it's now official: winter '24-5 project)
FrankenWing - 1980 GL1100 motor in 1982 or 1983 frame (still deciding, so maybe semi-active).

Sold
Not lookin' back to avoid regrets
User avatar
GalDemSuga
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Posts: 97
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2023 5:27 pm

Re: '79 Wing and a Prayer

#235

Post by GalDemSuga »

This turned out awesome and that seat setup is nice.
I Love My Old Japanese Bikes!! :mrgreen:

Valerie -78 GL1000 (current project)
Dianne -78 XS1100 (next project)
Beauty -82 GS1100G (Complete)
Dawn -83 CB1000C (future project)
Amber -83 KZ1100 LTD (future project)
Rachel -98 R1 (complete and in Germany, where I ride her went visiting my best mate)
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