Topic: the joy of working on a SOHC bike

[CoachDoc]

After 5 months of working on the completed restoration of my '74 550, I was forced to turn my attention to my 12 year old GL1500. It's long overdue for maintenance and about to turn 100K miles, so I got it up in the air and set to work. Guys, I was totally spoiled by those months working on the 550. So compact, everything easy to get at, I really find it a complete joy to work on the it. The Wing, on the other hand (and how soon I had forgotten) is a complete PITA. You spend so much time unbuttoning the teflon, it's so big and heavy, much more complex, all factors conspiring to make repair and even maintenance a real chore. The saving grace is that it's a very low maintenance machine, so you don't have to get at it very often, but I find myself dragging this job out so I can go and ride the 550 in the hills. Too much fun, both to ride and work on.

[Frostyboy]

That sure is a monster Coach. It looks like the lift is a 'must have'! Whatever you do don't let it hit the ground, you'll never pick it up again 
I took your Mac for another ride today, still sounds sweet. 

[Ernest T]

I know what you mean, I have a GL1800 and changing the air filter is a four hour job.

[CoachDoc]

That sure is a monster Coach. It looks like the lift is a 'must have'! Whatever you do don't let it hit the ground, you'll never pick it up again 
I took your Mac for another ride today, still sounds sweet. 

Take good care of that Mac, Frosty, and stay upright at all times, my friend.

[Rigid]

I was volunteering my mechanical skills as a service to our local Christian Motorcyclists Association chapter a few years back.  Seemed like the right thing to do until the Goldwings started rolling in.  OMG, literally. They were a PITA to work on.  One thing you didn't mention, once yhe plastic and parts are off, the parts consume every square in of horizontal work space in an average 2 car garage and then some.  Don't even want to talk about chasing down electrical problems or doing fork seals and water pumps............ Give me an SOHC4, preferably chopped and stripped, anyday.

[wedoo2]

Looks like you might have another 5 months just putting all that stuff back together.  But if you wanted to zip up to Vegas, what would you rather ride?  That 550, pretty as it is, or your limo?  Cup of coffee.  No bugs.  XM radio.  Ahhhh.

[dhall57]

I love the simplicity of a sohc4. I'm no mechanic, but with the help and info from everybody on this forum I've done pretty much everything on my 750's except pulling the engines. And when the time comes to do that I'll tackle that also. What a satisfying feeling it gives you when you can work and maintain your bike knowing without a doubt that the work is done right
 Nice GW coachdoc. I've never had one, but if you want comfort on long rides there the only way to go just a little more involved in servicing them, right CoachDoc

[Magpie]

So, what's the problem?      This was to get to the cruise control adjustment and do a bit of wiring to add some lights.
Cliff.

[strynboen]

i have looking for a GW erly naked  modell...but thosen a cbx instead..its same fealing as the old cb"es..simpel.easy to work on..ok 6 kaburettors..thats worst thing abaut it..bur rest are old stuff..have to pull engine for top work..but 750 are the same
my 550 are just funn ,,both to fix and run

but i will have a GW..some day

[FuZZie]

Least you can do the work CoachDoc, I guess shop bills would get up for the DIY impaired. It's a nice looking bike i really like the blue color.

[CoachDoc]

So, what's the problem?      This was to get to the cruise control adjustment and do a bit of wiring to add some lights.
Cliff.

LOL!!! ! That must be what it's like for a neurosurgeon the first time he opens a brain up. Realistically, it's the same problem with cars. I used to do close to all my own work back when you opened a hood and found the block, a carb, distributor, radiator and a few hoses and wires. Now, I open the hood, cringe, and take it to a shop. Even the simplest task like the aforementioned air filter change can require so much dismantling you want to scream. As all Wing guys know, the trade off is way way longer service intervals, again paralleling the automotive world. For  the long haul runs, you can't beat them for comfort and the ability to eat up the miles effortlessly. There's horses for courses, and right now I've got 2 pretty
good horses.

[cb650]

And there is this.

[72500john]

after working on airplanes,lawn equiment, cars, and the such for the last 30 years my sohc honda is a breeze and joy to work on..simple and no fuss no muss as they say.
went to the local honda shop the other day and looked at a few new bikes. throttle position sensors, mass airflow sensors, computer controled everything. yes works great till you cannnot fix it without  a grand of equipment to figure it out.
yes tecchnology has come a long way..but the old stuff is still great!!

[Trav-i]

If you want a real challenge, try working on modern ambulances, firetrucks, and ladder trucks.  Every one is a unique piece and a total nightmare to work on... Ask me how I know.

[Magpie]

cb650, my hat is off to you! Wow!  Cliff

[dave500]

absolutley cb650,a good effort.

[cb650]

Actually that is Pauls 84.  We had to do the alt.  2 times!!!!!!!!  First one went bad after a year.  Did one 20 years or so ago to on my roommates 82 so I knew what we was getting into.
One of the guys at work was always saying I need a newer bike. After I put on 8k miles or so this summer to his 800 on his new shadow he dont say much anymore.

[CoachDoc]

And there is this.

Amazing. How on earth did you wrestle that engine out? Far more than I could ever do.

[cb650]

A good floor jack and slow movement.  The hardest part of it all is the upper front mount.   It needs to be in 2 pieces.