Topic: 78 GL1000 20 year sleeper! Old Blue.

[Lostboy Steve]

 I like it Don. Very nice color too. Some boards out there are tough. Who cares? Stay here. Everyone here seems pretty tolerant. Good bunch we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Don R]

I like it Don. Very nice color too. Some boards out there are tough. Who cares? Stay here. Everyone here seems pretty tolerant. Good bunch we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a fact. I wandered over there to get some info and help some too. This is home to me.

[Lostboy Steve]

I like it Don. Very nice color too. Some boards out there are tough. Who cares? Stay here. Everyone here seems pretty tolerant. Good bunch we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a fact. I wandered over there to get some info and help some too. This is home to me.

Don, did you rebuild the carbs yourself? I have a set of 79 carbs and a set of 83 carbs that are both in terrible condition but if I can't get my single carb setup to work on my 82 I may try one of these sets. Probably the 79 because as I understand it the older carbs are actually better due to their smaller diameter? Don't quote me on that. I also have a set of 75 carbs that might be garbage. There's a broken piece on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Don R]

 I did clean them but not good enough. I'm on the verge of hiring a pro.  I had 83 carbs on my 79, they used to think it was a speed secret. Now days not so much.

[Bankerdanny]

I like it Don. Very nice color too. Some boards out there are tough. Who cares? Stay here. Everyone here seems pretty tolerant. Good bunch we are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a fact. I wandered over there to get some info and help some too. This is home to me.

Don, did you rebuild the carbs yourself? I have a set of 79 carbs and a set of 83 carbs that are both in terrible condition but if I can't get my single carb setup to work on my 82 I may try one of these sets. Probably the 79 because as I understand it the older carbs are actually better due to their smaller diameter? Don't quote me on that. I also have a set of 75 carbs that might be garbage. There's a broken piece on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you visited Randaak's Cycle Shack? He's a GL specialist and sells a comprehensive kit and a video about how to properly clean and set up the carbs. He also has a repair kit for broken float towers that I have personally used.

[Don R]

 I have Thanks, I haven't seen the video however.

[Don R]

 I discovered I need a new fan switch. I'm thinking the 80 accord one is the best choice. I'm hoping the temp is correct for my thermostat though.

[RAFster122s]

Thermo switch to attach to radiator or screw in type for block ?
cx500 owners convert to electric fans and put an 80C thermo switch on bottom of radiator to activate the fan.  Fan out of ducati, gsx, or other bike works well, mechanical fans on cx & gl can grenade from cracks taking out the radiator.

[Don R]

 It screws into the block and runs the stock fan. I jumpered the switch and the fan came on, the engine was HOT and it should have been running. I noticed while cruising at the Hot Rod power tour the fan never came on so today I checked it.

[RAFster122s]

If it is the same as the CX500 and drives the gauge I have a spare I thought mine had gone bad, it was the voltage regulator for the gauges was bad...
mine is not a switch, so odds are it is something different.

Good luck with it.

Dropping my motor to change stator this week...

David

[Don R]

 Thanks, I ordered a similar switch for an 80 Honda accord/civic this morning. It has a similar appearance and two bullet connectors also. I found the part number on a gl, cx and 1300 kawi site. Worth a try.

 Edit, not worth a try, bad info.  The threads are 2mm smaller. Cheap one off ebay on the way and I may install a parade switch in case of cheap fan switch failure.

[Lostboy Steve]

It screws into the block and runs the stock fan. I jumpered the switch and the fan came on, the engine was HOT and it should have been running. I noticed while cruising at the Hot Rod power tour the fan never came on so today I checked it.

Strange Don, when mine failed (just recently) the fan got stuck on.

In other news now I'm battling this:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Don R]

 EEwwww, mine looks rusty but I'm hoping it's just the red color of the Japanese vehicle antifreeze I used.

 It also had coolant leaking off the top of the radiator during the test. The new cap was wet so I'm hoping I had the cap a wee bit loose and it ran out under the cap then dripped off the radiator. Hoping at least. No more leaking since I shut it off.

[Don R]

 The ebay switch installed and works fine so far. I need to try to make it come on, so I'd guess the temp is correct.

[RAFster122s]

EEwwww, mine looks rusty but I'm hoping it's just the red color of the Japanese vehicle antifreeze I used.

 It also had coolant leaking off the top of the radiator during the test. The new cap was wet so I'm hoping I had the cap a wee bit loose and it ran out under the cap then dripped off the radiator. Hoping at least. No more leaking since I shut it off.

Let's hope for a fluke on the cap issue, likely a cheap auto replacement available...if you need it.  The CXs have a couple.

I have same issue on Ford Crown Vic, aluminum block and heads so there are not a lot of ferrous metals in the system...not the water pump as it was looking fine when I changed it.  Could it just be massively dirty?

David

[RAFster122s]

May wish to flush block with vinegar solution, several on CX forum did that with a small electric pump running it for many hours to get things thoroughlt flushed with a high volume pump and a bucket to serve as transfer collection in the loop.  The scale that can build up in the block is freed by the vinegar attacking it  to disolve it.

David

[Don R]

 It was just the red coolant in the black catch pan. When I poured it back into it's original container it was a pretty red and mostly clear. I bought the Prestone for Asian vehicles, it was a pre mix which was a surprise but was enough to fill the bike and it had distilled water already in it. The cap is a new automotive replacement and it performed well today with no leakage. I did some in town and 85 mph riding and it appears to be ready for a trip.
 I rode through town and into the driveway the fan wasn't on but after a minute of idling, it came on. Perfect. My Harley buddy loves the exhaust note on the highway. I noticed the sound is now equal on both sides so the mouse nest must be totally burned out.
 Next up, test the big and ugly saddle seat to see if I prefer it for a long ride. 15 hours the first day.

[Don R]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SiRGuCeTZ1bbZJym2

USB port and voltmeter from ebay. I disliked enlarging the lighter outlet hole though.  It's losing a good part of a volt through all the connections and switches.

 Edit, that voltage drop was with the headlight draw. key on but headlight off, 12.7 V through all the factory wiring, ignition switch and windjammer harness.  With the Headlight on, 11.7, with the engine running 14.3. I didn't check it with the fan running.

 I added two drag specialties red lights beside the plate while the turn signals were off. Now that the yellow turn signals are back on I wired the brake light to the extra lights and may also hook up the running lights. It was easy with the trunk wiring harness already there. I made it all plug in with bullet connectors. Anything to make it visible from behind.

[Don R]

 I put on the saddle seat and don't think I like it. It carries my weight more evenly but I can't move back where I like to sit and with the sheep skin on it it's even tighter. Either option will be better than the POS seat that was on the 79 when I got it. It also keeps the sissy bar farther back so I can't slide it forward and lean back on my gear bag, I'll need a thicker pack to lean back on.
 Someone had the plastic liners for the saddle bags on ebay, I should have grabbed them.
 

[RAFster122s]

They make a reflective sign shop material that is stealthy during the day because it is in the same color as the paintwork, if they carry your color, but at night it lights up like a christmas tree like the 3M highly reflective sparkly white vinyl.  If you are close you can make out the designs in daylight but not from any distance.  Could see if they have a color that would be ok on your trunk or saddlebags/panniers and at night would make the visibility even better.
I use a Helmet Halo on all my helmets. Stretch band of silvery cloth neoprene like that goes around bottom of full face helmet.  It is like a glowing ring around your helmet, you cannot miss.  I have had a couple stops or been followed by police to get a better look at it.
It is around $12-15 the last time I bought one, worth every penny!

Your seat placement is same issue I run into because of being tall.  The controls are way up under me it feels like because of having to bring my feet further back from my knees than a shorter person would.  The CX seat had to get cut to remove most of the step up for a passenger.  Haven't decided if I am going to totally redo the seat on it but likely will.  My aunt has a commercial machine that can handle marine vinyl and lighter weights of leather that would be used for seats...I would have to design the pattern but she has been trained in upholstery so she would be able to help with that aspect.
Too bad we don't have seat adjustment slider rails like a car seat to get that custom fit.
David

[Don R]

 Thanks for the tips on reflector material. I bought the red/white truck tape for my enclosed car trailer down the sides. A guy backed out of a driveway as my truck was passing he apparently didn't see the trailer even though it has clearance lights.

 There's not much worse than being trapped in traffic and hearing squealing tires behind you. I'm always setting up an exit strategy.

[grcamna2]

Those words they say, "I didn't see you" actually means that they weren't paying proper attention to their driving..  they can almost make it seem like it was a sneaky thing I did toward them w/ my motorcycle in 'stealth mode' somehow 
I was tempted to ask them once "Are you sure you had your eyes open" ? !

[Don R]

 A friend hit a 90 year old lady's car that didn't see him. Skull fracture and brain bleeding, not good. My brother survived one in the early 60's. Today, going to my brothers house I wore my helmet, had the high beam on, daylight, running lights on, big blue Goldwing, big safety orange shirt, A young soccer mom type in a Toyota pulled out of the credit union right in front of me, slowed and just kept coming. I saw her, expected it and when I knew I was safe locked up the back wheel and laid on the dual horns.  She climbed halfway out the window at the next stop sign to say she was so sorry.
 Fcuk, it's ok, I ain't dead yet.

[grcamna2]

A friend hit a 90 year old lady's car that didn't see him. Skull fracture and brain bleeding, not good. My brother survived one in the early 60's. Today, going to my brothers house I wore my helmet, had the high beam on, daylight, running lights on, big blue Goldwing, big safety orange shirt, A young soccer mom type in a Toyota pulled out of the credit union right in front of me, slowed and just kept coming. I saw her, expected it and when I knew I was safe locked up the back wheel and laid on the dual horns.  She climbed halfway out the window at the next stop sign to say she was so sorry.
 Fcuk, it's ok, I ain't dead yet.

That's nice when she apologized;I used to get the opposite back where I lived in PA. Folks would actually get mad at Me when it was them.

[jgger]

When I drive my 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip home I count Motorcycles to keep me observant. Bikes can split lanes here in Calif. so they can sneak up on you. That game keeps me alert to Bikes, if more people played it there would be a lot less "I didn't see you's"!

The record count is 125 Bikes all going my way, I don't count the ones on the other side of the freeway.