1986 Aspencade Resurrection
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- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
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- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Carb Cleaning Done?
Last of the parts out of the ultrasonic cleaner. I'll have the cleanest secondary air system around!
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- Fred Camper
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Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
Wow, looks like a surgery room.
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
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
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Carb Assembly
Reassembled the four carbs bodies and attached them to the plenum today. Still need to set the floats before buttoning them all back up and reinstalling.
Of note, I am hopeful the air vent tubes are correctly aligned. I am disappointed that the Halasz book does not clearly illustrate which end the tubes point. Neither does the factory manual, which seems odd. I think someone has been into these carbs before, so the best I could do is put together the same way they came out. If anyone sees an error, please let me know. You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
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- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Benefits of Halasz Book
One key part I found in the rebuild book from Randakk's is the brief section referencing using a water-pik to check all the passages. I've always used compressed air and never would have thought of the water-pik idea on my own. It really came in handy, as during the final inspection before joining with the #2 carb body, I tested the unique vacuum port on the #4. I think this feeds the ignition module, but don't have my notes to confirm. I checked it with my vacuum gauge and it was not allowing air to pass, so clearly blocked despite all the time in the buzz box. Enter our unused water-pik! I purchased it for my daughter while she had braces and I don't think it every got used much. Plus, she has had her braces off for about six months, so I figure I'm good to go for using it to clear a carb passage!
It took a bit of pressure building, which liquid does much better than air, and then a high pressure jet shot out of the middle of the carb body with lots of sediment settling quickly to the bottom. Success! Just providing a method to clear that vacuum passage so I didn't have to pull the carbs again was worth the price of the book. However, if anyone from Randakk's actually reads this post, PLEASE insert a diagram showing the air vent pipe alignment.
It took a bit of pressure building, which liquid does much better than air, and then a high pressure jet shot out of the middle of the carb body with lots of sediment settling quickly to the bottom. Success! Just providing a method to clear that vacuum passage so I didn't have to pull the carbs again was worth the price of the book. However, if anyone from Randakk's actually reads this post, PLEASE insert a diagram showing the air vent pipe alignment.
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- robin1731
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Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
Closest thing is a diagram on page 145 in the Honda repair manual.
If you look on the cover of your carb rebuild book you can see it says "Distributed" by Randakk's.
The author is Howard Halasz.
If you look on the cover of your carb rebuild book you can see it says "Distributed" by Randakk's.
The author is Howard Halasz.

1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
First Start!
Big day today! Carbs were reassembled a few days ago, but I finally got a chance to leak test them on the bench earlier this afternoon. I'd sourced a huge syringe to try and fill the rear shocks (fail), but it worked perfectly as a container hooked into the gas line from the fuel pump. All the float bowls filled then stopped, with no leaks! Let it sit for several minutes checking it all around until I was satisfied. First carb rebuild in a long time, nice when it ends with a success.
With the float bowls filled with fuel, the only thing left to do was to slide the carb assembly back into the bike and test it out. So, on went the top cover (reference post #33 for THAT little issue) and new o-rings sealed up the intake tubes to the head.
Then, engaged the choke lever and hit the starter button. After just a few seconds of cranking, the old gal fired up! Idled smoothly for about a minute before I shut it down as no cooling system installed yet. (I did need to twist the throttle a couple of times, just to make sure the throttle blades were moving smoothly...
)
Video link below, about 20 seconds of it idling immediately after it started up for the first time.
With the float bowls filled with fuel, the only thing left to do was to slide the carb assembly back into the bike and test it out. So, on went the top cover (reference post #33 for THAT little issue) and new o-rings sealed up the intake tubes to the head.
Then, engaged the choke lever and hit the starter button. After just a few seconds of cranking, the old gal fired up! Idled smoothly for about a minute before I shut it down as no cooling system installed yet. (I did need to twist the throttle a couple of times, just to make sure the throttle blades were moving smoothly...

Video link below, about 20 seconds of it idling immediately after it started up for the first time.
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
- Location: Metro Detroit
- Contact:
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
Lots of solid progress for sure. Good luck finding an easy fix for the charging system.
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
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
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Rear Shock Oil
My guess is the "easy fix" will be buying a new alternator! Charging system took a back seat today as I decided to try and fill my rear shocks with oil. I had drained them by leaving them upside down in a pan for a couple weeks. They were mostly out of the way, although I managed to knock them over a couple of times in the interim.Fred Camper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:17 pm Lots of solid progress for sure. Good luck finding an easy fix for the charging system.
My first attempt yesterday was to use my big syringe and push it tight into the air fitting to let allow gravity to feed it into the tube. My fitting wasn't 100% air tight as after about 10 minutes I noticed some fluid starting to exit where the syringe entered the junction block. Time for Plan B.
Having a press sure comes in handy from time to time. I compressed the shock, watched the bubbles come out, then released the pressure from the press to allow the shock to expand. I discovered after a couple of routines that it takes awhile for the ATF to get sucked into the shock, so have to let it sit for a few minutes between cycles. Long process, but it seems to be working.
Typing this out between cycles on the first shock. It has sucked up about 200cc (WAG) so will continue until the bubbles stop.
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- Fred Camper
- Vice President
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
- Location: Metro Detroit
- Contact:
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
Wow, laborious process. Makes me think I would rather buy new ones.
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
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
- ritalz
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4270
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:22 am
- Location: St Louis, MO
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
I was able to fill mine with a syringe. Still it was a slow process. Measured out some fluid into a jar, filled the syringe, pumped it in a little at a time until the jar was empty. Press idea looks like it works but I don't have one.
Al
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1986 Goldwing Aspy 2nd daily rider
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
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1986 Goldwing Aspy 2nd daily rider
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
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
Not too bad, once I figured the cycles out. Probably 10 compressions per shock, maybe 30 minutes total for each one. Usually working on other things while I wait for the fluid to get sucked up. Now I'm just petting the dog between cycles. We are both happier that way!Fred Camper wrote: ↑Tue Apr 01, 2025 4:55 pm Wow, laborious process. Makes me think I would rather buy new ones.
1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Rear Shocks Done
I bought is used probably 6-7 years ago for a car project, think it was $100. It sits and gathers dust 99.95% of the time, but sure comes in handy for pressing bearings in/out, reinstalling brake pistons, and now filling shocks.
After about an hour of cycling the shocks, they are done! I dressed them up with a set of repo boots from eBay as the originals had rotted away. Will set them up on a shelf until the rear end goes back together. I'll be glad to get the oil catch pan off the floor. It's been there catching oil from the shocks for a month or so. Been emptied once, just the slow dregs left. I've only tripped over it a half dozen times or so!
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- ritalz
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4270
- Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:22 am
- Location: St Louis, MO
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
At one time I was considering a pipe bender which could double as a press. I don't have a garage here so it would probably be stored at my sons house. Never could convince him that it was a good idea. Plus the fact that he has one at work that he uses. One more thing I would do is to put in some air and submerse the whole works to check for leaks.
Al
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1986 Goldwing Aspy 2nd daily rider
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
2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1986 Goldwing Aspy 2nd daily rider
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
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Re: 1986 Aspencade Resurrection
That was a good suggestion. Unfortunately, I forgot there were no Schrader valves in my rear suspension system, presumably because it is controlled by the on board air compressor. Gave it one pump and fluid immediately began back flowing into the pumps air tube. Oops.
Looks like I'll get to do a bit more fluid injection tomorrow.
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
- 3KidsinAustin
- Chrome Member
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:04 pm
Charging System Passes!
Didn't have much time in the garage this afternoon as spent time cleaning up my ATF mess and refilling the shock that puked out last night when I added some air to it. However, took a flyer and decided to see if the alternator that was diagnosed as FAILED by O'Reillys tech actually was. Much to my pleasant surprise, it charges up perfectly!
Cooling system will go in tomorrow, then I'll get some longer warm up periods to start synchronizing the carbs and getting it dialed in. Probably find a few surprises as well.
An extra treat was that the bike started totally effortlessly. Engaged the choke, pressed the start button for a couple of seconds and it roared to life. Settled into a nice, smooth idle and kept at it when I disengaged the choke. Happy Days!Cooling system will go in tomorrow, then I'll get some longer warm up periods to start synchronizing the carbs and getting it dialed in. Probably find a few surprises as well.
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1985 Limited (SOLD) - Build Thread Here: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72752
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)
1986 Aspencade (Complete!): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 77#p829477
1986 SE-i (Current Project): https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 25#p831425
1984 Interstate (Future Project)