Topic: I bought a 1975 GL1000 with a title for 150$ (Teardown and Rebuild?)

[Lostboy Steve]

How  bad is tge rust on the motor mount to right of oil filter.
 To be honest as I viewed the last pics, I thought you were maybe thinking of not going ahead.
Not saying you should not,but clearly will be a lot of work..

The rust isn't that bad at all most of that is just residual from the radiator mount. I need to get the frame off the engine and see what's really going on downstairs.

[Lostboy Steve]

The frame damage appears pretty substantial.  Are you sure the thing is straight?
Seem likely caused by lack of a steering damper 

It appears straight. It's not so much bent but dented. If the bottom isn't super rusty I'll probably get a roller going until I can afford to rebuild the engine. Or, maybe I'll pull the heads and see how bad the inside is. I have a relatively expensive inspection camera that I'll probably snake in at some point. I hate to rebuild an engine with 10k on it just because someone decided to permanently park it outside. If the rust is limited to the back side of the valves and seats I might be able to get away with just top end work. Here's to wishful thinking. Pretty sure at least one cylinder is going to look like crap though.

[eigenvector]

The frame looks pretty banged up - but it won't affect its strength.  Only if you have significant rust damage would it be a concern - even then that would be easy to fix by a competent welder, assuming you want to spend the money that is.

From the pics, I don't see any issues other than you have a lot of work to do scouring that rust off.

[Lostboy Steve]

The frame looks pretty banged up - but it won't affect its strength.  Only if you have significant rust damage would it be a concern - even then that would be easy to fix by a competent welder, assuming you want to spend the money that is.

From the pics, I don't see any issues other than you have a lot of work to do scouring that rust off.

This #$%* is getting blasted and powder coated. Blasted... then repaired whatever areas need it. Then Powdercoating.

[Lostboy Steve]

Here ya go fellas. Frame is fine rust wise. I hit anything that looked bad with a wire brush. At this point I'm way more concerned with the rusted valves and seats.

[Bodi]

It's a year one GL, and it has a kickstarter! (I do not advise trying to use it)
Should be nice when you're done!

[Lostboy Steve]

I'm trying to video these dents as best as possible. I don't want to start investing big time if the frame isn't salvageable. If it is... then let the spending begin.

[eigenvector]

I really wouldn't worry about it.

Those downtubes are tension members and a dent like that won't affect them.

[drumstyx]

You shoulda seen the chrome on bloo the day i brought her back.

It wasn't as bad as that wing, but with some elbow grease much of it wiped away.

Fun Fact; Metal Rescue is safe on chrome!  Fill a rubbermaid bucket with that and you'll be able to dip the rust away!

Yeah, if I had $500 to spare...that stuff is insanely expensive!

[Lostboy Steve]

I really wouldn't worry about it.

Those downtubes are tension members and a dent like that won't affect them.

You think braze and grind? I don't need it to be perfect. I've weld filled similar. If I'm doing this, it's going to be a rider. Not so much a show bike.

[eigenvector]

Someone else knows better than I do about that - maybe 754 or Cal will chime in.

[Lostboy Steve]

Someone else knows better than I do about that - maybe 754 or Cal will chime in.

Yeah. I am a welder but I can't justify weld filling and then grinding. I'd rather braze and file or even just leave it.

[Lostboy Steve]

lol I get the feeling no one wants to make that call. It's ok. Hey while I'm here... if you've never taken a good hard look at the gl lineup, it's worth a second glance. Remember, it's 1974 and the engineering, simplicity, and cleverness of it is amazing. You get a very clear view of why they did so well in the automotive industry here. Very cool and a pleasure to disassemble. Hope I can say the same for the rest.

[Lostboy Steve]

The cylinders, well at least the ones that the spark plugs came out of look like a cast iron sewer pipe.

[Lucien Harpress]

Ooof.  Best of luck to you.  As an owner of a GL1000, they are in a different league when compare to the 750.  Everyone goes on about their reliability, which isn't wrong.  But it takes a LOT to get them to that point.

The good news is that any top end work is pretty simple.  Heads are plentiful and any valve work is dead simple.  The bad news is that any stator or clutch work means you have to pull the motor.

Also, removing the fuel tank means taking it out through the back.  Rear fender off, rear tire off, rear brake off, etc. 

Just wait until you get to the carbs.  ABSOLUTE nightmare. 

If you have any big questions, I recommend ngwclub.com.  Bunch of knowledgeable individuals more than willing to help out.

(Looking back through this thread, I can shed some light on why the craigslist ad for the yellow GL1000 was so expensive.  The yellow '76 was a one-year only model, and many were repainted due to lack of sales.  Current estimates state a production number of 500 models, so they're pretty collectable.  That, and they look dang cool!)

[Lostboy Steve]

Not as bad as I expected.



Pretty stained but they don't seem to be pitted. They don't feel different to the touch.

[Mantree]

I'd say take it down and soak all combustion chamber parts and scrub them out.  Posible hone befor doing rings

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[Lostboy Steve]

Well back to buying junk anonymous...

3 more wings for 400$. One has a title.

2 of the tanks are spotless. The third has a bit of rust inside by nothing crazy.

What the #$%* am I doing??? No idea yet.


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[BomberMann650]

Well back to buying junk anonymous...

3 more wings for 400$. One has a title.

2 of the tanks are spotless. The third has a bit of rust inside by nothing crazy.

What the #$%* am I doing??? No idea yet.

Thank you for sharing Steve   That was really brave of you.
Does anyone else having something to share with the group?

[Lostboy Steve]

Well back to buying junk anonymous...

3 more wings for 400$. One has a title.

2 of the tanks are spotless. The third has a bit of rust inside by nothing crazy.

What the #$%* am I doing??? No idea yet.

Thank you for sharing Steve   That was really brave of you.
Does anyone else having something to share with the group?

Lol my whole family thinks I'm crazy anyway. May as well prove them right.


Does anyone know if the air forks come apart and get rebuilt the same way as my regular 550 forks?


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