1978 GL 1000 "The Tank" Resoration Project

[shieldsm]

Man oh Man!

I took a "small peronal loan" and was able to buy everything I needed while staying within my orginal budget. New tires, all new brake components from the master cyclinder rebuild down to the bleeder screws. New cables, SS brake lines and a bunch of small stuff the quickly adds up. I decided on going with a Barnett Clutch Kit even though the OEM plates looked good. I just feel more comfortable doing this now since the engine is out. I am going with the EBC springs instead of Barnett's because I believe these springs will not be as hard to pull the clutch cable. I also bought Randaak's super fork brace and front master cylinder. I want to upgrade the rear shocks (probably Halon's instead of Progressive's) but may not due to budget constraints. I want to send the carbs out to Pistol Pete's instead of tackling that myself. I have enough to do.

Once I get everything in I can start taking pictures and hopefully see progress. Still torn on what to do with the Comstars. Bike is going to have minimum chrome so I want to maybe paint the fins of the rims but how to get the back of those wheels....

P.S.

I love the look of the duel headlights I have seen within the thread. Wondering where others are getting there's from.

[shieldsm]

Old75_Ratafe,

Thanks for the advice! I sent my dyna ignition to Dynatek for them to test it out. To be honest I am not sure what you mean by "magnetic trigger"

[shieldsm]

Some updates (sorry no pictures at this point yet)

After re-installing my clutch I decided to get a complete Barnett Clutch Kit. I just wanted to upgrade since the engine is already out. Everything went in smooth...until I broke the %$#*@( lifter plate! I was so careful but obviously not careful enough. Luckly CyclePsyco has a spare and I ended up buying two just in case...Lifesaver!

Replaced the water pump and re-installed everything up front. Hopefully I will have no problems with that. Just need that lifter plate and then I should be ready to paint the engine.

Painted all my calipers and decided to strip and paint the final rear drive hub. The silver was actually turning yellow and so decided to use the same black caliper paint. Turned out pretty good.

Still unsure of what to do with the Comstars. Really don't like the chrome but powdercoating may be too expensive. I'll wait until the engine is installed to decide.

[Old75_Ratafe]

Old75_Ratafe,

Thanks for the advice! I sent my dyna ignition to Dynatek for them to test it out. To be honest I am not sure what you mean by "magnetic trigger"

No problem. Dyna is a magnetic trigger style ignition. Points are the mechanical trigger with a opening and closing mechanism to make the contacts and trigger spark. Magnetic trigger has a magnet on the crank that spins with the spring advance and two magnetic pickup switches where the points were, when the magnet passes one of the switches it pulls it triggering spark to that coil and in turn the spark plugs.

There are bonuses to each system. Points are cheap and when in proper calibration are great but they degrade over time and require regular maintainence. Magnetic trigger systems are expensive but are a set and forget system and sealed so corrosion isn't a issue usually.

[rcmatt007]

indeed, I put a prestolite ignition on mine.... 32 years ago

[shieldsm]

I already posted this in a seperate thread but wanted to post here as well,

I was doing some long searching for someone who could drill the rotors on my 1978 Honda GL1000. After some research in these forums I came in contact with John Neiswinger from Horizon Industries. As a toolmaker for the last 35 years and proud owner of a GL he quoted me $70 for my three rotors. I shipped them to him and he went "above and beyond" by measuring my rotor thickness and insuring me that they would meet spec (they are on the thin side). He then tried sourcing a place to grind them and after a couple of calls came in contact with Truedisk who is going to charghe $45 per rotor to get them grinded. John even shipped the rotors to them for me!

I have never experienced such an honest and hard working individual who obviously cares about his customer. I simply wanted my rotors drilled cheap but never expected this level of support. Hats off to John, Truedisk and this forum!

[rcmatt007]

sounds like a great resource. Isn't it great to find people who still take pride in their work!

[shieldsm]

It is nice...especially in these ol' hard times.

[mill-n-weld]

MarK: What you're doing to this bike is awesome! Keep truckin' as a lot of projects like these get stopped and once that happens....
Thanks for the kind words about me. I try to treat people like I want to be treated. Pretty simple. Anxiously awaiting to see the rotors after grind.

John

[shieldsm]

Making some progress!

2011-07-15_06-53-03_110.jpg

2011-07-15_06-52-02_729.jpg

[Roady]

Ohh! Yummy!

It looks like it's 'bleedin' red.

[shieldsm]

I am pleased so far with the results. The engine paint job was so so. I think I waited too long between coats. Hopefully it will fully cure when first started even though its been over 2 weeks since I painted it. The powdercoating looks steller. The pictures don't do enough justice on the beutiful shine of the powdercoating. Too bad Honda used a fine thread on its hardware else I would have done some nice crome acorn nuts on the engine mounts. Working on polishing the front covers. Boy, thank heavens for the grinder my wife bought me for my birthday. I am using #2, than #4 and then #5 paste but removing the oxidation has been tough. Wondering if I should start with the black paste first???

I love the chrome contrasts. I will have limited chrome (exhaust, carb intakes, shocks, valve covers) and that will be it. I bought some black fork gaiters so that should look cool. Hopefully it will work with Randaak's fork brace. Still waiting on my rims which will be black powder coat. I also bought some red pinstripping for the edge of the rims. My newley drilled rotors look awesome! I just hope she runs okay once she is all together. I think either electrical or carboration will be my biggest issues. Torn on getting my carbs rebuilt by Pistol Pete or doing them myself with R's carb kit. I don't think I have the now how to do it myself. Still torn on SS brake hoses. Of course I am doing a complete rebuilt of the brakes but SS is just so spending versus $50 for a compelte OEM brake hose set. Money, money, money...

I plan to do the covers in a nice gray color to balance it all out. Just black and red might be too much.

[shieldsm]

Some progress. Front end done. Swing arm in with new bearings. Been getting some of the controls on. Really would like to upgrade to an adjustable clutch perch. My handle has to much slop. Probably try a new sleeve bolt to see if that works. Cables may be too long with the z bars. Not sure what others are using for size. Still need to rebuild carnal and get my wheels and radiator back from the coating shop. My buddy is doing them on the side but its taking forever. Looking at a white or red for the covers. Its just too red and black right now. I love how the gators and super fork brace look.

[vwfye]

May I ask, "where did you get that wonderful front fender?" What is it from?

[shieldsm]

Funny you ask on the fender. Its the original but I cut about a third off the back in refolded the metal over creating the original lip. Pretty primitive work but turned out good and free!