Fred's 1977 GL1000 -- BADDOG's Chronicle

[Fred Camper]

Engine is back in. Battery at three years old no longer turns her over despite several days on charge. Had to order a longer hydralic hose also as the one supplied was 12 inches short and the banjos were too large. Electric pump is working fine. Looks like she may be ready by the end of the week.

[ritalz]

Progress is progress.

[Fred Camper]

Oops, the reported bad battery was a result of the engine ground being left dangling. No issues with it once connected behind the left triangle hanger. Sad error.

[rcmatt007]

you mean there has to be both positive AND negative?

[Fred Camper]

Yes, it seems the starter likes a big positive and big negative cable. With a big positive cable and no negative engine ground, the starter just moves slowly.

[rcmatt007]

Just be careful not to let the smoke out

[Fred Camper]

No smoke escaped from any wires on BADDOG. She is all buttoned up and ready to ride. The clutch action is perfect with no adjustment needed. Light force to actuate is a nice plus. With the electric fuel pump, she now thinks it is fine to run with just half choke at 2000 rpm instead of full choke and 3000 rpm. Unlike some pumps, mine shuts off when it hits 4 psi, so it is easy to know when the hit the starter. It also lets me know when the petcock is closed, not that I have done that 3 or more times...

[Fred Camper]

Mini ride report today. Only time for 4 miles as many things to do today (Turned 61 today).

1( Hard for me to resolve is that finding neutral is now easy with the bike rolling, stopped at idle, stopped, or any other situation. Before the clutch update finding neutral was easy to select when rolling but difficult once stopped.

2) Launch is perfect, starts to engage as soon as the level is released 5 mm or so. Very smooth launch with minimal throttle needed. No adjustment or breaking in needed. Effort is very reasonable and the same or less than a brand new correctly routed cable. But it will never get worse as the cable wears.

Clutch Perch.jpg

3) With the electric fuel pump, bike starts beautifully. Just wait until the electric pump cycles back off and hit the starter (with the kill switch in run) and she needs very little choke. Photo needs to rotate 90 degrees but I lack that skill.

Fuel Pump.jpg

4) Replaced the brake master as well since they were available as a match set. Both 14mm and cannot tell the difference from my previous 14mm except for the lack of pealing paint. Hope the new one is more impervious to brake fluid.

Brake Perch.jpg

[rcmatt007]

on #1 did you mean finding neutral?

[ritalz]

More miles = more smiles.

[Fred Camper]

on #1 did you mean finding neutral?

Yes, had to edit to fix that. But doctors always know what we are talking about even when we use the wrong words...

[gltriker]

Great News and Happy Birthday, Jeff !

[rcmatt007]

on #1 did you mean finding neutral?

Yes, had to edit to fix that. But doctors always know what we are talking about even when we use the wrong words...

[Irishman1]

Great job! Always nice to freshen up the favorite ride. Fun the read and catch up. There’s also something about riding it enough to need to freshen up! Ruthes yellow 75 ( bike of the month,feb,2020) got a slight freshen-up after she rode it for just over 25,000 miles. Nice feeling

[Fred Camper]

Replaced the Dyna DS-1 with an updated unit. The modules for each two cylinder are smaller now, and there are no longer collars on the wires. After spending too much time getting the timing perfect, took a local ride to a meeting yesterday and she ran very well. Have to take a highway ride to rule out if the fix is solid, as the previous two cylinder issue did not always surface on shorter local rides. Need some dry weather and late October and early November often provide. I did update the Dyna install shop talk with a note on the wire collars being deleted and that a 3/8th 12mm socket can also fit the generator bolt if one does not have an offset spanner.