Author Topic: 79 GL 1000 el cheapo goldwingo, Sturgis and back at under a grand. (Read 17598 times)

Don R · « **on:** January 21, 2015, 10:04:58 PM »

I just bought one sight unseen except a picture on a facebook site. Needs a start button or solenoid, and the usual battery, carbs cleaned, brakes freshened, unless I fall in love with it I'll offer it here for sale first. It's got a rack, floorboards, backrest and a windjammer. I get it tomorrow at 6pm.

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2015, 09:06:41 AM »

I'm in the middle of too many projects to keep it. Hopefully I can find it a good home.
I got it home tonight, it's a pretty nice one 33,xxx miles. It has compression, shows all the signs of a bad right start switch. Missing the right side cover, has a 750 battery. I'll check it out tomorrow. There's a big ugly vinyl sign on the windshield that says "when I grow up I want to be a harley " Oh my. Blasphemy. I'll post it in the abomination thread just before I destroy it.

Don R · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2015, 12:50:24 PM »

I read where the starter can just be pulled out without removing the exhaust. It's not working for me, has anyone done it?

MoMo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2015, 03:45:24 PM »

don't remember Don but have you put 12v directly to make sure it is the starter? Hope all is well....Larry

Don R · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2015, 08:56:47 PM »

Yes, I checked, it just clicked even on a car battery, the armature bearing at the planetary is toast. I did have to drop the exhaust. I seem to be following a trail of loose bolts. Someone else gave up too soon. The rear manifold stud was already double nutted, the crash bar top bolt was halfway out and the lower one was loose.
There's a guy 25 or so miles from here that parts out goldwings, he's getting a call tomorrow. It seems to have compression, the PO is reportedly a doofus so who knows. At least he kept it inside.

Don R · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2015, 08:59:09 PM »

While I was pulling the starter motor, a big hairy legged spider walked right down my hand. I guess the garage got too warm and he woke up. He then had an unfortunate accident involving a screwdriver.

6adan · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2015, 07:51:31 AM »

Here is what I did to my 79.

Don R · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2015, 04:07:55 PM »

Very nice. I love the look and am thinking about that but I have a couple hot rod bikes, I could use a cruiser. This one needs a starter, has 33,000 miles but is in the best condition of any bike I bought recently. I'm starting to grow fond of it. The floorboards are off already.

I spent this evening searching for info on starters. There's not much out there. The $225 ricks is great if you want to spend that much. No problem if I knew if I was keeping it.

dhall57 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2015, 01:32:16 AM »

Pictures please

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2015, 11:27:50 AM »

Check www.motolane.com. I know Clint has at least one GL1000 (a '75). He is over near Bloomington/Normal I think. He will pull and ship, or you can go get it yourself if so inclined.

Don R · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2015, 11:27:18 PM »

Thanks Danny, I dropped it off at a local rebuilder, they're going to have a look and call me. All the segments check OK and the gaps looked good as did the brushes, just the bearing at the inside drive gear is shot.

I still can't get over the chrome, it's the best I've owned on one this old. I'm pulling off the floorboards and the tall backrest but leaving the rack and maybe the windjammer. She sure would look good naked.

Don R · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2015, 05:36:14 PM »

The pics don't do it justice. Except for the windshield, that really sucks.

Don R · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2015, 05:37:28 PM »

Don R · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2015, 05:43:45 PM »

I'm going to drain the oil and see what's in it, I'm thinking it's the same filter as a 750. I only have wet clutch 20/50 valvoline. Maybe a water pumper should have 10/40?

It's another filter housing/filter/no washer/spring/engine. It seems like they're all that way recently. I'm running out of washers again too. L0L.
The oil looks new.

Don R · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2015, 09:01:33 PM »

Update, I did the old lawn tractor relay swap and it cranks over like a new one. I got the headlight on, the connector at the fairing was loose. It pops on at least one cylinder. I need to put the exhaust back on now that it appears to be a sound engine.
I had to stop trying to start it, I didn't want to smoke in the shop when we had work to do on a chassis job.

dhall57 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2015, 02:00:07 AM »

I like the design change in the tank panels and the tank mounted gauge cluster and comstar wheels. Didn't Honda in 1978 and 79 make some engine mods that hurt overall performance.

05c50 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2015, 08:15:36 AM »

The early 78 wings were detuned slightly to even out performance. Cam profile, timing and carbs were changed to allow for a smoother power curve transition. The earlier wings were kinda peaky and low end performance was not nearly as smooth. Later model 78s suffered from the onset of emission controls and lost a little over all performance because of it.
Still a very nice running bike.

..................Paul

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2015, 12:19:22 PM »

Starting in '78 Honda started tuning the Wing more for mid-rang performance as a long distance cruiser rather the superbike performance they targeted with the 75-77 WW bikes.

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2015, 04:11:39 PM »

The brake pedal is frozen solid, I took off the cotter pin and washer and soaked it with penn, oil. I can now rotate it with a plastic mallet. The M/C seems fine. PO left the bleeder off the caliper. I'm glad there was one laying in the parts bin.

Don R · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2015, 07:33:05 PM »

After soaking, heating, forcing in multiple cycles of each. I finally got the pedal off. I honed it out and sanded the mount tube. It'll go back on with plenty of anti sieze, I drilled a hole to apply penetrating oil just in case. It appears all 3 calipers need attention. They work but drag after working.

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2015, 09:21:56 PM »

I got the calipers rebuilt, the rear was a treat, i had to drop the luggge rack, shocks and wheel. The rear M/C is still not connected and it's not completely bled yet but it appears I'm ready to ride when it the salt and ice is gone. Still need a black/gold left sidecover. I'm too cheap to pay $150 for one.

6adan · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2015, 07:02:38 AM »

You will like the 79, it seems to be a smoother running engine than my 75. Anyone who has not tried a early GL should. This is the 75 and I have a 76 LTD that I need to get going.

78 k550 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2015, 07:19:54 AM »

6adan, nice 75 so that is a 6 hole Lester up front? I just scored a 78 bike with front Lester. was going to part it out. friend who wanted the frame then didn't. He wanted to go with with a 1200. So I might just swap out the 78 front and put it on the 75. I scored a rear Lester from the local yard for 75.00

Paul

dhall57 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2015, 10:21:31 AM »

Quote from: 6adan on February 22, 2015, 07:02:38 AM

Anyone who has not tried a early GL should.

Agreed. I know I really like my 1977 GL 1000. Good looking 75 6adan.

Don R · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2015, 04:36:06 PM »

Nice wings, thanks for the pics!

When static timing the light comes on dim before the timing mark, then bright when it gets to the mark. I wonder if the condensers are fading? Has anyone seen this before? It's the same with old and new points. With the old ones there was a misfire, it seems to still be there and the static timing light still acts strange.
It starts on the first turn,that's great.

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Author Topic: 79 GL 1000 el cheapo goldwingo, Sturgis and back at under a grand. (Read 17598 times)