resurrecting a 81 standard

[nakedall]

I picked up 1981 gl1100 standard for $400.00, not to bad shape but needed some carb work. When I looked at it it would start but not stay running. It came with the original carbs,a Honda service manual. The bike has 30k on it and for a 81 it was very complete. So I started to work today, I drained the oil out or should I say gas! The crankcase had gas in it so the oil was very thin.I guess the float needles are NG. The PO bought a set of used carbs for this bike and put them on they are worse than the original I am thinking.The gas tank needs to be cleaned,front master cylinder needs replacing. And a bunch of other stuff. But its a start.This is a pic of where I picked it up.

1981 gl1100 007.jpg

[cmonSTART]

Excellent! Sounds like a great project. I just finished up my '81.

[Pony Ruiz]

80-81 carbs can be fun: for me that was the short version.....

If they are them - the idle jets are pressed in and can be a bugger to get clear.
82-83 were removable...

get a randakk carb kit and do it up right.

the other thing: aftermarket float needle valves can be suspect. that said the honda part/assembly does not co$t what you think it might for such a small part.

there is a writeup in shop talk re: rebuilding 1100 carbs.

setting the float level proper is key as you might expect...

oh and don't loose any washers....or where they go....

I am doing my second set....

Congrats on the bike!

I bought an 83 a couple wks ago and it had similar symptoms- ran but wouldn't stay running. When I took the carbs off and looked at the float settings - way off.

[Roady]

So, you have a new project. Congrats.

Cruise by our ShopTalk page and you'll find lots of help.

Don't hesitate to ask questions either (and do post lots of pictures ... we like pics).

[nakedall]

So I pulled tank tonight so I can clean the rust out of it tomorrow, Dumped some super clean in it tonight and let it sit until tomorrow I have a steam jenny pressure washer to get the crap/varnish out. Tomorrow I will try "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner on the rust inside. It's not a huge amount but enough to make a mess of the new rebuilt carbs. After I clean it and baking soda it I will do the rust mort treatment,it will turn anything left to a hard black coating on any rust left.

[nakedall]

I did not get to the tank today,life got in the way. But I was up at the barn today at the stash of parts I have, and found a couple of steel fenders that I like and nice little taillight,I have a bunch of handbars that I am going to take to the shop to play with. Will keep at it, I will get pics up as soon as I remember to charge up the camera.

[nakedall]

I got to the tank today, I washed it with the super clean first and dumped the crap,there was clumps of 1 inch sand and rust balls, I duck taped the sender hole annd plugged petcock holes. I dumped 2 bottles of "THE WORKS" toilet bowl cleaner in the tank. The tank started smoking after a minute or so. I left it sitting on the bottom, sides,back, upside down for five minutes on each side. I dumped it out into a pan and steam cleaned the inside of the tank after checking it with a light and a mirror it looked good but the top of the tank still had a little rust on it so I taped it up and dumped the works back in. I turned the tank upside down an let it sit for five more minutes.then did the regimen again then dumped it in the pan. Steam cleaned it again checked it with the light and mirror, It was spanky clean inside! I did a baking soda wash, steam cleaned again and again, then dumped it and poured a couple cups of lacquer thinner wash into the tank dumped that and blew out the tank with compressed air until the tank was dry. Sanded the outside of the tank and painted it, by the end of the day it was dry so I dumped some Marvel into it and rolled it around.

I cleaned the engine taped it off and primed and painted it with de1615 . I cleaned some other radiator sheet metal and brackets, primed and painted those black. So all and all I got alot done today!

[cmonSTART]

Sounds good so far! These GL tank are actually fairly easy to steam clean with the sender unit being where it is. Easy peasy!

[nakedall]

Ok,! Ok,! I have been very lax on the pics, I will post some soon!

[1967mustang]

Hi, sounds like you know 81's,, I have a carb. problem, if you would read the subject (1981 GL 1100 #3 carb problem) in this forum and might could help me I'ed kiss you right on the mouth!!!

[Jetubet]

I had to do my carbs multiple times and switch my fuel tank out too. Sounds like you had great success with your tank. Your carbs should have small nylon screens on the back sides of the needle seats. It's good you got your tank so clean as they can plug up pretty easily. An extra carb set is a good thing. Good luck!

[nakedall]

Hi, sounds like you know 81's,, I have a carb. problem, if you would read the subject (1981 GL 1100 #3 carb problem) in this forum and might could help me I'ed kiss you right on the mouth!!!

You need to follow the advice given to you in your thread, It sounds like no.3 carb float is out of ajustment or something is loose inside the carb. Take the carbs off and send them off to be repaired. And for kissing me thanks but I don't need a kiss.

[nakedall]

I worked a little today,I sanded the front frame around the engine, wrapped the engine with alum foil,sanded and primed,painted it. I did get all the 82 calipers/brackets for the brakes, waiting on 83 wheels from rebel, new tires. Still need a 82-83 swing arm.

[nakedall]

Had some time today so I worked on the 82 calipers that I got for the bike, I did the grease gun method to push out the pistons the 82 calipers,I Since they have 2,I had to hold one in with a clamp until the other one pushed out. Then I cleaned the first piston then pushed it in a little put the clamp on it,then pushed the other one out. I washed it out then stuck it in the ultrasonic cleaner for 1 hour then washed it down dryed it out. Now the the seals sit in a groove they were nasty even after sitting in the ultrasonic cleaner I scraped the grooves but I wasn't happy with the result so I went looking in the shop,I had a box of red scotch brite pads and a dremel tool,I cut small circles of it and put it on a spin on arbor with a small washer, Tryed it out inside of the grooves and it worked really well it also buffed out the inside of the caliper beautifully. Now to by some kits!

[cmonSTART]

That scotch brite idea is a good one! Thanks!