Author Topic: 1975 GL1000 purchased from original owner (Read 4032 times)

markreimer · « **on:** September 06, 2019, 09:09:36 AM »

Just had my first ride on the new to me Honda. I’ve missed this forum after selling my cb750 and 350f last year!

The GL got new timing belts, valve adjustment, carb rebuild (and I thought CB carbs were a pain...), rebuilt seized advance unit and points, static timing, fluid flush, and off I went for a test ride. 50km return ride and barely a hiccup. Just smooth power. The shaft effect is fun, brakes and suspension need work, and some minor carb tweaks. I think I’ll really enjoy this bike.

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seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2019, 09:28:32 AM »

Really beautiful!

markreimer · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2019, 09:32:33 AM »

Thanks! I have the stock mufflers but the baffles rotted out, making a nasty metallic rattle when getting on the gas. I have some long Staintunes on now which sound and look excellent. I'd love to keep it original if possible though, so I'll look at fixing up the pipes in winter if it's possible.

The headers are good, but someone painted them with poor paint at some point. It's just blowing off in the wind lol.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2019, 02:26:48 PM »

Beautiful. I am very happy with my 750F, but I do miss my Wing.

I would give those valve covers a polish over the winter too. Not a mirror, just a good shine.

dhall57 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2019, 03:15:04 AM »

Super nice first year naked Wing Mark. How many miles. I have a 77 black naked Wing and love it. Need a new water pump for mine so I can get it back on the road. These early wangs are quite, smooth and have plenty of power. I know you will enjoy it

markreimer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2019, 08:23:00 AM »

29,800km! Barely broken in. Or maybe it’s 129,000 haha how would I tell!

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MauiK3 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2019, 09:47:27 AM »

Very nice bike!
You can get repop exhaust from David Silver Spares

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2019, 06:01:27 PM »

Don’t be afraid to wind it up a bit! The early ones do go!

MauiK3 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2019, 03:16:03 PM »

They really sing, I actually had mine semi airborne once. I used to commute from Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, Ca. To Sonoma Ca. The normal route was west on Highway 37 across the top of San Pablo Bay to highway 121 and then north to town. I sometimes took a shortcut through Skaggs Island which was a military communications installation. There was a little bridge over a slough that I could speed up some just before and it was a nice gentle rise to wheels almost off the ground and then a gentle landing. Loads of fun.
Great bike, under appreciated because it was so smooth. Iron fist in a velvet glove.

tdskip · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2019, 12:32:01 PM »

Fantastic

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2019, 07:47:01 AM »

Nice. I miss my Wing. I wouldn't want one as an only bike, which is why I sold it. But as one of several I would definitely like another one.

6adan · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2019, 12:23:15 PM »

You have a very nice bike there. I have one almost just like it except I have a set of Lester wheels. The only problem I have with mine is the stock seat is like setting in a board after a few miles, the seat looks like almost new but is very hard. Anyway ride it and enjoy it.

markreimer · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2019, 06:33:09 AM »

Thanks everyone! Now it’s time for routine repairs and maintenance, like fork seals, seat cover is ripped, cables etc. too bad the snow is a few weeks away

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Can550 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2019, 01:26:25 PM »

It’s great looking bike
Seat is 78/79, if you put a stock seat, it will change the looks of bike big time

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markreimer · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2019, 09:07:49 AM »

Quote from: Can550 on October 01, 2019, 01:26:25 PM

It’s great looking bike
Seat is 78/79, if you put a stock seat, it will change the looks of bike big time

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I thought this might be an incorrect seat! The 75 is more of a flat profile right? I do need to replace as this one is ripped.

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Can550 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2019, 09:09:39 AM »

This is correct seat for 75/76

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Calif Wingnut · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2019, 03:22:39 PM »

I paid $2,650 otd in 76 for my new 75 candy blue :<)

Can550 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2019, 03:59:08 PM »

Good to see you hear
Welcome
But how many guys could pay that much back in the day
Probably less than who can pay 27,000$ for a gold wing today
What say ya

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Calif Wingnut · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2019, 06:20:54 PM »

Thanks cam550. I paid $1,500 for my 74 750 with 8,800 miles on it. Buddy paid $1,300 for his new 72. One test ride on a 75 gl and life has never been the same 9 wings later :<)

Calif Wingnut · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2019, 06:30:35 PM »

Mark. I have a pair of carb stays for shipping if you need them until you can find a better set.

markreimer · « **Reply #20 on:** July 27, 2020, 12:51:53 PM »

Little update on the wing since last year. Much has happened over the winter.

- Built an exhaust system using Harley sportster take-offs and some short elbows a local muffler shop bent up for $10.
- Dyna ignition
- Cleaned and repaired a bunch of wiring, now all the electrical stuff and gauges work
- Fresh tires and tubes
- rebuilt swing arm bearings and lubed drive splines
- Sourced some Hondaline racks and bags
- Synced carbs
- Bought some second hand forks, repaired a few tiny pits in the chrome, polished and rebuilt front end. No leaks!
- Passed safety inspection, got it registered, then acquired my first speeding ticket on a bike. All on the same day!

I have about 1,000km on the bike since registering it. It's pulling good and hard. Very smooth. I have a slight 'clunk' as the clutch stops slipping and grabs when starting from a stop, so I'd like to rebuilt the clutch over winter. I've had other SOHC4's do this with old worn plates.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2020, 10:04:07 AM »

A beauty!!

low-side · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2020, 07:39:09 AM »

Are you sure that the clunk is from the clutch? The reason I ask is that a failure in the clutch is usually a grinding noise with rough engagement ("B" plate coming apart) while a clunk as the clutch engages is ofter an indicator of a worn u joint in the drive shaft (under the rubber boots on right side of engine).

markreimer · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2020, 07:43:22 AM »

Quote from: low-side on July 31, 2020, 07:39:09 AM

Are you sure that the clunk is from the clutch? The reason I ask is that a failure in the clutch is usually a grinding noise with rough engagement ("B" plate coming apart) while a clunk as the clutch engages is ofter an indicator of a worn u joint in the drive shaft (under the rubber boots on right side of engine).

Pretty confident, but not 100% sure. I had the drive shaft removed two weeks ago to inspect the u-joint. Seemed fine to me. A worn u-joint should create a repeatable clunk when rolling on/off the throttle in any gear. I only have a clunk when slipping the clutch in 1st from a stop. I can significantly reduce it with some subtle clutch lever action. And the fact my CB350F and CB400 both did it makes me feel pretty confident it's a clutch issue. But we shall see!!

Had the bike out on a ride last night and discovered my fuel pump is squirting gas out the weep hole periodically. Looks like the diaphragm has rotted and it's time to hunt down a new one.

markreimer · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2020, 02:32:33 PM »

Much work since I last posted in July.

I replaced the clutch with a new EBC kit, friction discs only. In the process I measured all the discs and springs. Every single part of the clutch measured in spec, so i was a bit discouraged, thinking I just wasted money on parts I didn't need, and would still have my clutch clunk/lurch.

It's tricky business replacing the clutch with the engine in-frame on these GLs, but it can be done. Long story short, got it swapped out and my clutch is now siiiiilky smooth. There is no clunk or lurch what so ever. It feels like a new bike honestly.

I also replaced the clutch cable with a new Motion Pro unit, taking the opportunity to clean and lube the lever pivot bolt at the same time. I now have a nice clutch pull for city riding.

Next up was checking the carb balance. I had done this last year but on a cold-ish engine. I re-checked after it was at full temp and found my #1 cylinder a bit low on the gauges. I brought it into equilibrium with the left-rear cylinder, which then showed the left pair low compared to the right pair. One more little adjustment to bring both sides into equilibrium and then....ahhhhhhh. The engine smoothed right out! The idle clutch rattle disappeared and the idle came up a hair.

My off-idle throttle response it much better now. Combined with the smooth clutch, parking lots, u-turns etc are no longer difficult to navigate. Couldn't be happier!

Few days later I used some spare time to replace the drive shaft. I had a spare with a perfect u-joint. The old shaft was good, but had just the tiniest play in it. May as well nip that before it becomes a problem. Cleaned and lubed all the splines with moly paste and went for a ride. No noticeable difference, but just happy to know I have a healthy drive-train.

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Author Topic: 1975 GL1000 purchased from original owner (Read 4032 times)