New to the GL from Canada

[Hanslehoff]

Hi everyone!

I've been browsing the site off and on over the last couple months in preparation for my bike being on the road...now that it is I figured I should register and get involved.

A little bit of history: my father was a Honda dealer in BC Canada for many years and a motorcycle mechanic for his entire adult life. His favourite bike has always been the '75-77' GL's. After he retired he continued to work on and collect them. He passed away 4 years ago and at the time he had 5 GL's in various stages of assembly / restoration.

Long story short, I ended up with a completely original '75 with 23,000 miles that he purchased from the original owner in '98 (have all the maintenance records back to purchase). Last time it was insured and on the road was 2003 but it was correctly stored and has been sitting in my dad's old workshop ever since. I finally got around to picking it up about a month ago and took it to my local shop for a top to bottom check and tune up. Ended up doing the timing belt, carb rebuild, sync, timing (points ignition), new battery, rebuilt front brake master cylinder and calipers, new tires and changed the bars. I had only ever ridden a GL once before getting this one on the road this past Saturday...and I'm in love. Runs and rides like a dream and still turns heads after nearly 40 years, especially with a younger guy aboard.

Bike.JPG (55.34 KiB) Viewed 383 times

Bike2.JPG (50.57 KiB) Viewed 383 times

(not the greatest pictures I know)

I changed the seat out because I understand the original flat seat from these early models are getting increasingly rare and mine was in fantastic shape so I wanted to preserve that. Also think the cafe style and superbike bars give the bike a nice stance and look. The only piece missing from the bike that I have not been able to track down is the Honda emblem and cover that goes over the front brake splitter below the headlight, but I am going to keep looking - I have a valve cover emblem on the way already. I think my Dad would be happy to see one of these old bikes back on the road and me continuing to ride it, and with the help of this site I plan on keeping it that way for years to come

[chewy999]

Welcome from the motherland, you have found the best forum for GL's and a great brotherhood to boot. Looks like you have a fantastic start and hope all goes well for you.

[oldwings 78]

A beautiful bike and a great story. welcome.
Terry

[Sandy]

[quote="Hanslehoff"]The only piece missing from the bike that I have not been able to track down is the Honda emblem and cover that goes over the front brake splitter below the headlight, but I am going to keep looking

I don't think Honda covered the front brake splitter until "78".

[Rat]

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Always good to see another Canuck.

Gord

[rcmatt007]

welcome to NGW.... sweet bike and yes, as Sandy says, the emblem did not show up till 78.... and I must have tossed mine when I put the fairing on

[Casper]

Howdy from Calgary, welcome to the club. Actually, I am writing this from BC, at my Cabin near Nelson. Great looking bike, I love the seat. Also a super story about your dad and the bikes history.

Cheers,

[Hanslehoff]

Thanks for the input guys, I guess I can stop looking for that "missing" piece! I've been riding the bike lots the last week and a bit and it's an absolute pleasure. A few of my friends ride cafe'd bikes so my basically stock ride stands out in our little group and gets some attention. It's in need of a thorough clean / polish and some fresh paint on a few parts - but it's been too nice where I live to do anything but ride it.

Better pic I took after I removed the crash bars this past weekend:

bike_New.JPG (72.92 KiB) Viewed 292 times

[Placerville]

What a terrific story and a beautiful bike. Your bike is coming up to the mileage where the water pump and fuel pump decide to give out. If the weep hole under your fuel pump isn't leaking (it will look like oil but, it's fuel and dirt) you're OK for now. Your water pump is a different issue. Even if it's not leaking from the weep hole, the impeller shaft could be worn and vibrating. When I got my '76, the mileage was just at 20K. The water pump wasn't leaking but, when I took the impeller cover off and pushed back and forth on the impeller head, it had so much play that I was surprised that the blades hadn't contacted the housing wall.

[HOTT]

Welcome from Texas.
Good looking Wing!
Smart thinking on that seat too

HOTT

[duke182]

Welcome