75 GL1000 Restoration progress

[Cookie]

I have a blue one like that i'd like to make that pretty.

[ramjet]

New update. It....is...ALIVE!!!!!!
With the carbs done recently by Pistol Pete and so much other work done I was anxious to get her running again and she does run. She used to like full choke to start now only partial choke does the trick. Can't wait to see how she runs after the carbs are sync'd. I also have an exhaust leak on number 1 but I'm not surprised at all since the MOTAD system was (and still is) a wrestling match. Perhaps Old Fogey could step in with words of wisdom here. I'm still without brake hoses up front so until that is fixed she will not move but there is light at the end of the tunnel. She needs a name, any ideas?

[tedshepherd]

That bike is gorgeous! Nicely put together.

Ted

[RetroRob]

NICE Bike!

[AC/DC]

Great job

[ramjet]

Ok, she is mostly done. Since the last post I have added SS brake hoses (that fit) and bled the brakes (what fun!). I have found and fixed the exhaust leak (for now). I have also put 21 miles on her in the last two days and she runs good but not great. She starts with little choke and idles well right at 1000 rpm (I have not touched the carbs since I go them back from Pistol Pete). The over rich condition is gone and the plugs look good. I have performed the split timing method and I am sure it is correct. There is a hesitation under light acceleration and I am sure it is a carb sync issue (haven't touched the carbs). I have also restored the instrument faces and they look great, but this is not a fun job. I did not cut the crimp ring, there is another (read harder) way that leaves them looking original. Here are the pictures:

[Cookie]

Very nice looking!

[Roady]

Looks really good. Seems the main project now would be to put some serious miles on it. It needs to be broken in again.

[Fred Camper]

Great looking bike, love he exhaust.

[ramjet]

Latest update. The steering bearings have been replaced with tapered roller bearings and the front turn signals operate as position lights again (why do people mess with wiring when they clearly don't know what they are doing) and the five year old battery has been replaced with a new agm model. That's the good news.
The bad news is I am running lean on all four (plugs are tan, rough running at partial throttle, better with the choke on, etc.) The carbs were done by Pistol Pete, the gas tank was boiled and sealed, new fuel filter, and fuel pump cleaned (all this prior to carb install). I've used the propane leak test, changed plugs, re-rebuilt the air valve, set the timing (again), gapped the points, put in a new condenser, adjusted the valves, run without the air filter and scoured this and Randakk's site for any and all ideas. Next thing is to re-check timing belt alignment (long shot), put it yet another new fuel filter and possibly replace the fuel pump.
The irony of all this is that prior to the carb rebuild she was running badly rich...........
I love my miserable life.................

[Fred Camper]

Yes, she is way to good looking to give up. I have a hard time blaming a fuel pump for a lean condition, as it seems that would make it worse than that. Have you synced the carbs, that does not seem spot on for the condition you mention but may need to be done anyway. Any chance the wrong jets were used for a 1975 carb set? Seems very strange as I only hear of excellent results from Pete. How about a vacuum leak, that seems like a maybe?

[ramjet]

Carbs have been syncronized and I tested for leaks with propane. Since the last post I did find that the spark plug caps were 10K ohms vice the stock 5k ohms. I have new 5k's which I'll try tonight. I have to beleive that the carbs are correct from Pete as I need a reference point.

[HOTT]

Ram, Beautiful bike ! Just a thought on 'lean' situation, check gravity flow from tank ie. petcock and feed lines. Mine did the same thing in the first 35-45 miles. I found little bits of flotsam slowin' the flowin'. Never made it to the filter. Good luck. Nice job. Ric

[ramjet]

I have a long list of items that I am checking off one by one in search of the problem. I do appreciate the feedback and I will check what you suggest as they come in. Please note that the bike has not run correctly while in my possession and did sit unused for 14 years.

[ramjet]

Runs better with the correct spark plug caps (XD05F). Still has some hesitation on low throttle response so I will keep working the checklist till it is perfect. Checked cam timing tonight and it was spot on so I am on to replacing the points plate (have a brand new one) and doing the split timing (again).