Author Topic: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc  (Read 1364 times)

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Offline stresssolutions

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GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« on: September 20, 2008, 08:26:04 PM »
Test drove a 77GL1000 today, speedo/odo reads 28k+.  The feller says it's been in the family since new.

The good...Has new throttle cables, timing belts, electronic ignition/wires/plugs, battery and tires.

The bad...first stop I made on a long test drive today (160 miles), it wouldn't start.  Luckily he had showed me where the kicker was, and I found where to insert it.  Ok, a pain, but doable.  Horn occasionally does not work, gas guage sometimes does not work, neutral light is on when in gear. 

Cost? $1200. 

My question...when going up some good hills here in SE MN, it would bog down, not pull the hill, holding the same speed.  Often dropping speed.  Approaching hill at 55-60, 5th gear.  (about 4k rpm)  Is this thing geared high, so it is smooth and quiet on the interstate?  When I finally got to one, got it to 70, it sure seemed nice and smooth, but most hills on the interstate are not as steep as the secondary roads where it is fun to ride.   I did kick it down a gear, and that made a lot of difference, so I am wondering if it is gearing and learning how to ride, or if the bike really has 128k and is tired.  I was riding in the middle of 2 new 750 vtwins, they pulled the hills with no apparent problem, no downshift required.  (My CB750A will pull the hills and gain speed, so far on any hill that I've ridden.) 

The engine seems strong and certainly willing to haul my fat butt around, seems to develop the power over 4k rpms.  Maybe I've answered my own question here.  Any comments?  Any idea of what it is worth?  Paint is fair, pipes are pretty good.

Thanks
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Offline bryanj

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2008, 02:58:30 AM »
Just because they are big dont mean they dont need revs to go, should cruise at 100+ all day except for regular gas fills. Check the charging as generators go and thats an engine out job, neutral switch same as 750 but need engine out to change. Sounds like you have ground and or corroded connections faults
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Offline kghost

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2008, 10:14:28 AM »
Stock exhaust?

When was the last time the carbs were looked at?
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Offline stresssolutions

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2008, 12:43:03 PM »
stock exhaust, baffles removed.  Carbs cleaned recently,  last fall?  This spring?  Not sure. 

Talked to him today, he says there is something going on, one carb/one cylinder not running right all the time.

Starting issue may have been me just not finding the "sweet spot" with neutral.  I suppose if the switch turning the light on and off is goofy, the switch turning the starter on and off could be goofy too.  Seems a poor design???  dunno.  thanks
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Offline EdB

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2008, 09:37:45 AM »
i recently got my dad a 76 gl100 for $500. needed front brakes rebuilt, carb work, and clutch shaft o-ring was leaking. it need a paint jibe but after that little bit of work it runs pretty decent. i like it a lot hope it works out for you. i like the old goldwings a lot after getting this one for him
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Offline mystic_1

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2008, 02:17:03 PM »
I agree with bryanj, sounds to me like you've got some corrosion or bad connections, shouldn't be too bad to get that sorted.  One cylinder not firing right doesn't sound like a fatal problem either.

Can't comment too much on the worth, but $1200 doesn't sound too out of line for any big bike that's in reasonable condition.

Got pics?  :)


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Offline kghost

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Re: GL1000 questions...tranny, starter, etc
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2008, 10:57:49 AM »
Without the baffles and without rejetting you are going to have some stumbles and flat spots with the carburation. Its the nature of the CV carbs.

The goldwing keihien carbs in particular have to be absolutely clean. ALso the CV slides are know to stick.
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