Lucky Find, (I hope), 77GL1000

[leonardhcross]

I have a good feeling about this one. The bike has not been ridden in 23 years, (or even started probably) but, it was garage stored. Initial probing reveals that the engine turns over easily with the plugs out using the manual crank starter, (I fogged heavily into the spark plug holes before even trying). Very mild rust on the frame. Something resembling gasoline dripped out of the fuel bowl drain plugs. The engine was filled with clean oil. No mouse nests in the air box. It has never had a fairing mounted or wired. As in the past, I will move slowly and carefully. One question......I will fill the float bowls to let them soak. What fluid is recommended?

77 GL1000, right side.jpeg

77 GL1000, left side.jpeg

[leonardhcross]

I forgot to mention the purchase price and the mileage. $200 for the bike. He trailered it 20 miles to me for an additional $40.
27K miles. The tank seems to have a uniform, light coating of rust.

[Fred Camper]

Should be a nice bike after much work. The tank can be cleaned by electrolysis, Did mine that way. Carbs most likely will need a Randakk kit and rebuild. Not a bad job.

[pidjones]

23k is barely a demo ride. I'd consider pulling the carbs and at a minimum soaking the float bowls in acetone to cut the varnish. Then, CHANGE THE BELTS. And, the tires.

[gltriker]

[Rat]

Great find … another one saved !!

Gord

[NotSoLilCrippseys]

Bravo! 2 bills, with a grab bar and what looks to be a really nice muffler. (Hopefully, you got side panels as well, with matching patina. If not, you're still in a good place.)

I'll second the suggestion that you pull and rebuild the carbs instead of trying to get them to work without a good clean. (And order up some belts soon.)

I try to confirm some basics before opening my wallet on 3-figure items like a rebuild kit - timing is ok, electrics/lights ok, belts not broken, compression. If I get yeses, I start spending money. If electrics are an issue, I try to decide how much seems amiss. If it's a no-power situation, I might not drop $ on mechanicals until I get some electrics sorted. But that's me.

[leonardhcross]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Funny thing....the skins were missing but, I have a complete set of reds with matching patina. I'm thinking of giving myself a little treat. The gas tank is going to need to come off for cleaning and de-rusting. So....I'll wait to remove the carbs until I have the tank out. It is nice to have all that extra room when disconnecting the throttle cables and pulling the carbs.

[leonardhcross]

Beginning the disassembly. I just removed the exhaust system. The headers are beautiful. Here is a shot of the muffler.(Still unable to post pictures correctly).

77 Exhaust.jpeg

[Fred Camper]

Muffler looks great, hard to find one like that. Worth more than the price you paid for the bike.

[jimbonaut]

Howdy Len, I'll be following along watching your progress happily. Great find

[robin1731]

Could just be the picture but it looks like that muffler has had some repair done on the inlet side.

Looks like some welding was done on it.

[leonardhcross]

Carb Linkage Exposed.jpeg

For me, one of the trickier parts of removing and installing the carbs is disconnecting and re-connecting the throttle linkages. Maybe some of you know some tricks but getting the cable ends re-attached is always frustrating for me. So, here's one work-around. If you know that you have to remove the gas tank for cleaning, wait until you have the tank out to remove and re-install the carbs. Here is a photo showing the access to the throttle cables with the tank out.

[gltriker]

[leonardhcross]

Good catch Cliff. By now,I should have noticed that the linkage arms were tubular, not flat. I wonder what other stories this bike has to tell. So far, it has been easy to work on. Everything is coming apart easily. I am looking forward to opening the carbs. The engine serial number is: GL1E-3018330. Can you tell me from that number what year it is?