Overhaul 84 Aspencade GL1200

[j.maclean]

Hey everyone. Well unfortuately I had to take the wing off the road for the season. After fighting a cooling issue it turns out that the water pump is leaking and I have antifreeze leaking in the exhaust which blows out a bit when I start the bike which indicates a bad head gasket. So unfortunately the bike needs a overhaul. I was wondering if anyone can give their input as to what is going to be involved in changing the head gaskets, should I order a top end gasket kit and just change all the gaskets top end, and since it it going to be tore apart to do this, would it be much more work to change the alternator/stator?? Also how many hours roughly should I expect to be charged for labour?? I have someone that I was referred to lined up to do the job, he is away now but will be home for the holdays this year and is going to take it on then, I am told he is very experienced with older bikes. He is also going to be rebuilding the carbs before reassembly. I am trying to basically figure out how much this is going to cost before diving in If anyone has any suggestions of what else I should be checking/replacing since it is going to be stripped would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[rrmiller73]

Changed both head gaskets on my 1200 last winter. Not a huge job. I bought OEM head gaskets ($50ish each?)from the local Honda shop(because of warnings about aftermarket from here) and used Harbor Freight Oring kit orings for the rest and made the coolant fitting gaskets. Reused the rocker cover gaskets. The right head was warped so had it machined ($150) before putting it back together. You have to remove the timing belts so it's a good time to change them. Also a good time to touch up the valves/seats, The engine doesn't need to come out of the bike for this so wouldn't worry about the stator unless its bad. I would think R&R of the heads and new gaskets only could be done over a week end if all went well. I was doing alot of other stuff as well so didn't keep track of labor. Machine work of course would take more time and$.

[glory2god]

Hi there, just thought I'd mention i have a 85 aspencade that caught on fire with 53000 mile on it. Has a good motor. thanks