I wanted to go with an 1983 to get to the aluminum wheels instead of buying switching later. I learned a lot on the first one and wound up doing some items twice. I had set a budget of $1500 for this one - if I do tires, I more than likely will go over a little but it is a goal. Will keep track as I go.
As I found it - 1983 Interstate - $500 clean title
Losing some weight and assessing any damage - so far it is only fork tubes that are bent and the instrument cluster is busted up.
Last edited by isualum on Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:34 am, edited 3 times in total.
New AGM battery and the old one leaked out when the bike was laid down. Turned the engine over by hand first to make sure it was free. Oil level OK. Fired right up.
Once I verified no strange noises etc the first thing is timing belts and idlers.
I used the 42105 with a 10mm wheel stud. I welded them in and used a spacer
Gates T274 belts and the new idlers installed.
Covers ready for powder - harbor freight powder gun and dedicated old kitchen oven
Lol. I was thinking the same thing. Gives you a chance to go back and chastise yourself for bad decisions and pat yourself on the back for the good ones. Of course you include negative numbers for Parts that get sold from the original machine.
<EDIT: It helps when you start out with a reasonably comfortable number like $500! >
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
Spreadsheets? I don't need no spreadsheets! SAMBO would then have more ammo for argument! If I still have money to fill 'er up and go for a ride, I done good, lol! Seriously, making good progress!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
First one looks great, I am sure this one will as well.
Bikes at present:
80 GL1100 Interstate: Now a Cafe Racer called DRAGON WING.
75 XL 250 just for fun
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a couple of older BMW GS adventure bikes (keep hoping for an adventure!)
A fleet of parts bikes awaiting resuscitation or customization or abandonment
Did not get much done this week finished up the timing belt covers and powdered a few other parts.
My eBay forks and triple trees came in so I cleaned them up and put new seals and dust covers on them. Went to install and that is where I got off track. The used forks are from an Aspencade so the brakes/calipers/rotors will not mate up. Since I already re-sealed the forks I went back on eBay to find rotors and calipers. Will also need an Interstate upper triple tree as my original is tweaked.
I haven't messed with any '83 stuff, but I was under the impression that the forks/lowers were all the same, and the brackets, calipers and discs were different on the Aspencade. I'm curious what the differences might be?
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
From what I can gather the 1983 Aspencades are unique (model and year). The Interstate caliper bracket mounting holes are about 1/4 inch different and the offset for the pivot is different as well.
At least for 1983 the wheel and lower triple tree are the same. To swap between Aspencade and Interstate you have to change everything else - brakes, calipers, caliper brackets, fork, upper triple tree.
Got the front end sorted out to put 1983 Aspencade forks on the Interstate. Have rotor spacers coming yet from eBay. 1983 Aspencade is all by itself. I learned that the hard ($) way.
Front fairing mocked up
Also got some powder coating done
My original budget of $1,500 is shot due to the extra front end parts. I also decided to rebuild the front caliper with new seals and all the pin boots etc. and order the new boots for the trac actuator. I will get an updated total posted.
SAMBO would then have more ammo for argument! If I still have money to fill 'er up and go for a ride, I done good, lol! Seriously, making good progress!
