Antifreeze leaks can be mysterious. Got my bike in non-running condition from the PO who had it stored for 10 yrs. It was low mileage (21000) so I expected most parts were not "worn out". The radiator was full, and no leakage. I did significant restoration effort over a winter season, including new ...

Might need more investigation... wet plugs, flooding carbs, main jet sliders stuck open, etc. But here's a "guess".... Engine is flooded due to leaking carbs or something. Too rich to start with choke on. Then with choke open, excess flooded gas clears out and it fires up. But after burning off the ...

I write this as you are probably in surgery. I suspect you won't read it for a few days as those first couple days can be intense. I live only about 35 miles from you, and as a fellow Minnesotan I agree with your timing. You'll be in good shape before next spring's first 50 degree day when we all pu...

Haven't had a recent dog attack, perhaps due to local leash laws. But in my youth, riding suburban and rural roadways, dogs were common. As noted, they seem fascinated by the front wheel (spokes, and light reflections ??). Occasionally, if I couldn't speed up, and the dog was close by and focused on...

Assume you can identify which cyl is dead (temperature of the head pipe). Problem is gas or spark. Check spark with a spare spark plug laying on the head. Check gas by opening the airbox and shoot a bit of starter fluid into the intake tube. No spark probably bad plug, or shorted wire. No gas is pro...

This type of starter circuit has been commonly used in cars, trucks, and bikes forever. the starter motor draws a huge amount of current, especially at the point of initial movement. It would take a very large fuse. If a catastrophic failure occurs, something melts, insulation burns, battery fails i...

+1^^^ It sat for a year... (maybe more, sellers don't always tell the full story). The reason it had been sitting is because the PO got tired of it killing at every stop if he didn't keep on the throttle. Do the carbs, and check all the the belts, hoses, brakes, etc. These bikes are worth the effort.

Sorry, Skeldog... but I don't think this oil treatment will help a stuck advance mechanism. The vacuum advance rotates a bracket holding the pulse sensors, adjusting the angle at which they get triggered by the lug on the crankshaft. This bracket/sensors are located external to the motor case, so th...

A bit unusual for a new starter dead on arrival. When attaching the power cable to the starter post be very careful NOT to allow the post to accidentally turn. Use a backup wrench on the post. It is possible to twist off the internal wire connection on that post.

I'm impressed. But it looks like you took the pics on the day the sheet rockers left. Where are the tools? What... no oil stains on the floor? Don't mind my comments. I would have the place plumb full of junk parts and other worthless storage items within a week. I'm the guy with a garage and shed s...

Hope you don't get it, and wish the best for those that do. But here's my take. I'm 79 yrs old, healthy and active. I live in the suburbs and avoid high density downtown areas, bars, or other high risk location. My grandsons have worked in the grocery store all year. Neither they, nor any co-workers...

In warm weather I like to hang the jacket where it can air out and dry. That's on the back of a bar stool in my kitchen. Helmet, gloves, etc. on the same stool.
Lady friend's gear in the closet as she rarely rides with me. Also, she doesn't live here. There are some advantages to living alone.

The GL1100 is a B**** to get on the stand. I do it only for maintenance and winter long term storage. I use a plank on the floor to help. And/Or I use an extension on the foot lever. I use a 1 ft aluminum square tube, but it is also a bother. It is too loose since it has to fit over the knob on the ...

Riding about the same. I'm 79 yrs old (vulnerable age group for Covid....) HaHa I laugh at that because I'm healthy and active, not on any medications for anything. Too many people my age live in their lazyboy chairs in front of the TV, taking naps. Also, I live in the deep suburbs.... not much covi...

Don't worry about it. If you feel the rebuilds went ok, the slight drag is normal. There is no spring return on the pads. When pressure is relieved, the pads are only moved back by the rotor. The rotors have a few thousandths of run out, and the wheel bearing as well. So the pads get pushed back eno...

Basic electrical testing needed. Test positive wiring: Black testmeter wire on negative batt post. Probe red testmeter wire at each side of fuse, each side of solenoid while attempting start. Test negative wiring: Red meter on positive batt post. Black meter probe neg post, then bike frame. My guess...

Maybe its the starter motor itself. They get hot and parts expand. Test for voltage right on the wire post on the starter when you are just getting the click.

Thanks for the responses. Some good ideas there. I do need new glasses soon. Never thought of bringing my helmet with me. I like the idea of straight side bows for helmet use, but I am also spend time on boats... Afraid of them sliding off when looking over the side into the water. Present glasses h...

I'm no chemist either. But I was comfortable using fuel rated hose. I would avoid vacuum hose or water/drain/vent type hose.

I have a full face Bell helmet. And I wear glasses. It's a pain in the butt to pull the helmet on, and then fish the eyeglass bows in thru the front and find my ears. The snug fit of the padding prevents the bows from easily sliding in. There are gaps or seams in the padding, but they don't line up ...

I'm 78, been away from riding for a long time. But now I'm into my second season on a '80 Gl1100. I know what you're saying about a big bike. But I'm way more comfortable on it now. I no longer panic in traffic. Slow speed operation is the challenge, but confidence comes with practice. Go to an empt...

Basically the timing is non adjustable. What is your intentions? Are you just trying to get it to run correctly, or are you trying to get some performance gain by modifying it? The timing is set by having the belts correctly installed. And is slightly advanced by the advance mechanism, assuming that...

Use a sharpie pen and mark tdc on the crankshaft pulley so you can easily note position and movement while working on the belts. It's awkward to keep having to peek down the hole in the back to see the T1 mark..

Patience, my friend. Take a deep breath. It sounds like you have found, and followed, info here about the procedure. So it's just a little detail about proper execution. So how far does it shift when you release the clamps? If it is "off" by less than 1/2 tooth, it's OK. If you shifted it one tooth ...

Some general rules for metallic objects. Touch or hold continuously = less than 105 deg F. (but you might call it hot) Touch but you'll pull back within 5-10 secs = 130 deg. Touch and you'll flinch back almost immediately = 150 deg. Your coolant runs at 180 - 200, and parts of the engine are hotter ...