GL1100 in my garage

[Bill P.]

Well I went and did it. The GL1100 that I posted about in August is now sitting in my garage (1980 Interstate). I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions once I dive into it, but for now I have just one: What's the best source for replacement parts, rebuild kits (carburetor and brake), etc. I've been using primarily Partzilla and Bike Bandit as a parts source for '76 Suzuki.

[quasi2008]

congrats on the "new" ride. just last week I got an 82 gl1100i. I've got it tore down to pretty much just the frame and engine sitting there still together. going through the bike and changing a bunch of stuff. I've found parts on amazon, ebay and dennis kirk. seems they're scattered all over the place.

[dakotanator]

Congratulations Bill. Looking forward to your updates on the rebuild/upgrades stories.

I've used Parzilla, Old Bike Barn, Partsnmore, Cyclemax, and many use Randakks for carb parts. If you are looking for a rebuild on the carbs and want them done, I used Pistol Pete's Carbs. When I got them back, I didn't even have to adjust them. Fired right up and idled at 1150 rpm.

If you want to get kits and rebuild them yourself, then Randakk's is the place. They sell the most complete kits out there. Pistol Pete used them to rebuild my carbs.
I've went to Sichley Cycle Parts on Ebay for parts also. They are a salvage outfit out of Oregon. I've gotten about a dozen different parts from them and they have always been in good shape for 35 year old parts. There is another salvage outfit in SoCal, but can't find the name at the moment.

Anyway.......good times..!!

[Fetasigma]

just got an 81 naked insterstate myself and i am in the process of a rebuild, just rebuilt all the brakes with parts and more kits and a new front master from ebay, replaced a neutral diode to stop a continually on neutral light, replaced both tach and speedometer cables and was rewarded with working guages, doing a led headlight conversion tonite, added a spin on filter conversion from randakk's, timing belts next week. Theese bikes are a lot of fun to work with. there are a bunch of sources for parts but amazon is cheap if they have it, ebay for more esoteric pieces, randakk (pricey), parts and more, and old cycle barn are all good places to look

[Bill P.]

Thanks guys. That should get me started. Now I just have to make room in the garage so I can work on it without tripping over all my other toys!

[Bill P.]

This is not starting well at all! I got the garage organized, pushed the bike up onto my homemade lift, started jacking it up and promptly broke the lift. So now I'm in the market for a real lift table (new or used). Any suggestions?

[dakotanator]

Hate to push the Chinese stuff.......but the Harbor Freight 1000 lb Motorcycle Lift is pretty awesome. Lifts my '83 GL1100 right up.
I usually put it on backward, with the rear tire in the chock. Easier to get it off of the lift after whatever work is done. I have a HF 2000 lb winch attached to the back to pull it up on the lift. I attach it to a makeshift (temporary) "hitch" I made.

Having the lift is a life-saver. I can't stand lying on the ground working on the lower part of the bike. The lift puts it right in your face.
$289 w/ coupon....$299 w/out.