Topic: Johnie's 76 GL1000 Sulfur Yellow Build

[Johnie]

Couple more pics…

[grcamna2]

She's looking real Good Johnie.
Do you plan a long ride of more than 20 miles soon ? 

[BenelliSEI]

Couple more pics…

Looking really lovely. Nice work, it’s come a long way from when you started!

[Johnie]

Bill I have had a couple rides of 100+ miles. Really love the handling and smooth ride. She shifts so easy and smooth. No gear jumping or chatter. Thanks...

[Lucien Harpress]

You get them dialed in, they are a sweetheart of a bike.  Glad to see it getting some sun!

[grcamna2]

Bill I have had a couple rides of 100+ miles. Really love the handling and smooth ride. She shifts so easy and smooth. No gear jumping or chatter. Thanks...

Johnie,you may have brought this up earlier:what size/model Avon? tires are fitted to it? tubeless ?

[bek1966]

Fantastic outcome Johnie! It sounds like you have it running well and it sure looks fine.  Nice work.

Brad

[Johnie]

Thanks for the comments guys.

[grcamna2]

Bill I have had a couple rides of 100+ miles. Really love the handling and smooth ride. She shifts so easy and smooth. No gear jumping or chatter. Thanks...

Johnie,you may have brought this up earlier:what size/model Avon? tires are fitted to it? tubeless ?

? ?

[Stev-o]

Nice job Johnie!

[MauiK3]

That is a beautiful bike. The yellow with all the black with some chrome here and there is great.
Wonderful

[Johnie]

Bill there is Dunlop Elite II on the back and Dunlop Gold Seal on the front. The tires on there are old, but I checked therm over with a magnifying glass and absolutely no weather checking. What are you GL guys running? I need to get some on order.

[grcamna2]

Johnie,I just began running Shinko(formerly Yokohama)brand tires;the quality is good and so are the prices.

[Johnie]

Since I do plan to keep the bike for a while I do want good tires. I am not an aggressive rider and don't plan any expressway speeds. Don't really care about the cost, but want a very good tire. No cheapies. Let's see what the other GL guys are running.

[BenelliSEI]

I have Kendas on the Gary’s bike.they work well and are priced right too.

[Lucien Harpress]

Shinkos are probably the best bang for your buck with these bikes.  I ran a pair for a while and they worked fine.  They might wear a bit faster than some brands, but the cheaper cost balances it out.  I swapped my front for one with a tread pattern similar to what yours has, but a modern equivalent.  I'm not a fan.  She looks better, but doesn't ride as nice.

Plenty of selection for the front, but the rear is a bit of a goofy size.  You still get options, just not as many.

[grcamna2]

I think it depends on how many long journeys and the amount you use the bike;a more expensive tire will be good for long miles.
I had a customer who ran a Metzeler Marathon rear tire on his,although that's quite a heavy tire.

[Johnie]

My 2000 Wing 1500 I usually replaced with the Dunlop Elite II, but a seasoned Wing person I know said most of the guys were now going to Bridgestone tires. Where do the Avons or the Dunlops come in the ratings? My 750's have the Conti's which I like.

[RAFster122s]

Bridgestone are good tires as long as your storage conditions keep them cool. Hs
Had a set of A40s on my VStrom and storage building had no ventilation and was cooking things at 140-160 in the heat and the tires took a marked high wear rate after the summer and didn't last 4k miles.
It was upon reflection I realized the heat did them in...

[Stev-o]

...a more expensive tire will be will be good for long miles.

Thats not necessarily true Bill. It really depends on the tire's compound, a "soft" tire will grip better but not last as long as a "hard" tire. And a hard compound wont grip as good but last longer...

Johnie - arent you a Continental guy?  Dont think you can get a better tire, just depends if they are available in those sizes.

I sometimes Google the size and see what's available...

[grcamna2]

A quality 'Touring oriented' set of tires..

[Johnie]

...a more expensive tire will be will be good for long miles.

Thats not necessarily true Bill. It really depends on the tire's compound, a "soft" tire will grip better but not last as long as a "hard" tire. And a hard compound wont grip as good but last longer...

Johnie - arent you a Continental guy?  Dont think you can get a better tire, just depends if they are available in those sizes.

I sometimes Google the size and see what's available...

You are correct Stev-o...my other bikes all have Conti's. I'll have to see if they are offered for a touring bike.

[scottly]

I have Kendas on the Gary’s bike.they work well and are priced right too.

Kenda Challengers are "not recommended for high load carrying vehicles".

[BenelliSEI]

I have Kendas on the Gary’s bike.they work well and are priced right too.

Kenda Challengers are "not recommended for high load carrying vehicles".

Never get close to their load rating…..

[Don R]

 I went with Michelin pilots on my 78 GL1000. So far so good. I'd guess they are old enough some guys would replace them. Not me.