1975 gl1000 questions

[HaydenJ]

So today I took the old girl to work, and sunday I went on my first real ride since putting my carbs back on and really since buying this bike!

So far I am loving it and I understand why you guys like them so much! I have developed a few things I'd like some opinions on as I am not well versed in these bikes.

1) heat. The bike seems to be running hot, usually in-between the normal area and the hot line, this will go down and ride on the normal area of I increase my speed and airflow to the radiator, however I think traffic would set it off like a bomb... when I was first running it I would notice bubbles in the coolant tank, however when I got home today I took off the side cover and it was still. It was warm to the touch, but definitely not to an uncomfortable temperature on the outside of the tank...

2) fuel levels. While riding and going about 60 on my way home today I seemingly ran out of gas... I switched to the reserve and everything was peachy keen once again, however I filled the bike up on Sunday and the tank has maybe 20 miles, but probably less... when I got home I stuck around in the filler neck and there was around 6 inches in the bottom of the tank... I know about the 7 voltage regulator, and this bike already has the regulator that can be purchased on this very website! And I'm really not sure how all that works, but I know it has the right one and I saw that it has more gas than I figure would be needed to have to use the reserve... is something maybe stuck in the in tank main line? Do they have a fuel sock that could be loaded up?

3) backfiring. It also seems to be backfiring slightly especially at idle (which will be addressed in #4) and up towards 3k rpm... I cannot feel the backfire while riding but I can hear it while on or next to the bike, iT is not loud and seems like more of a puff of air than anything... not sure what's going on there

4) idle / idle return. The bike idles around 2k... when I got home today I tried turning the screw down with little success in adjusting the idle speed, eventually I got it down to about 1200 which I liked, but once I reved it itsettled back at 2k... screwing in and out seemed to have little adjustment at this point. The throttle is very snappy and always returns all the way down. It also returns to idle pretty slow, not horrible, but slower than I'd like and slower then I think it ought to

Some background: I just had the carbs out, cleaned and checked everything, timing was set, and valve lash. The weather while riding has been mid 70s. I'd like any help I can get, I am pretty knowledgeable about carbs, engines, and pretty much anything mechanical, however the gl1000 is a whole new ball park for me

Anyand all help, thoughts, and opinions are appreciated! Thank you!!!

[Rambozo]

1. With the bike stationery, run the engine and make sure the fan cycles on and off. When going down the road the temp should cycle near the thermostat setting usually 85°C. When stopped the temp should cycle near the fan switch temp of 100°C.

2. The petcock may need service if the rubber has swollen up. The fuel gauges are not known for accuracy. You may need to bend the float to get it in the ballpark. Check tank capacity and see what it takes to fill it after you need to use reserve. Most just fill the tank halfway, then bend the float to where the gauge reads half. It may still be off at each end, but that is usually the best compromise. I usually just go by the trip meter as I've never had a bike with a very useful fuel gauge if any.

3. Sounds like the carbs may not be dialed in just right. Have you overhauled the air cutoff valve?

4. Sounds like the carbs may not be dialed in just right. Have you overhauled the air cutoff valve?

Have you tuned one carb per cylinder engines before? They can be a little tricky to get everything synced.

[HaydenJ]

1. With the bike stationery, run the engine and make sure the fan cycles on and off. When going down the road the temp should cycle near the thermostat setting usually 85°C. When stopped the temp should cycle near the fan switch temp of 100°C.

2. The petcock may need service if the rubber has swollen up. The fuel gauges are not known for accuracy. You may need to bend the float to get it in the ballpark. Check tank capacity and see what it takes to fill it after you need to use reserve. Most just fill the tank halfway, then bend the float to where the gauge reads half. It may still be off at each end, but that is usually the best compromise. I usually just go by the trip meter as I've never had a bike with a very useful fuel gauge if any.

3. Sounds like the carbs may not be dialed in just right. Have you overhauled the air cutoff valve?

4. Sounds like the carbs may not be dialed in just right. Have you overhauled the air cutoff valve?

Have you tuned one carb per cylinder engines before? They can be a little tricky to get everything synced.

Thank you!

I have noticed the fan is always on, at the first time I click the key over in the morning to the second I shut it off the fan is always on. I have read about problems where the fan is never on, and I know that's not good, butifigured it being in all the time isn't the worst... mythoughts were possibly needing to flush coolant or something of the sort...

I know the fuel guages are notorious for being inaccurate however I had just filled the tank and I figured it shouldntgothrough the main part of the tank that fast...

I have never dealt with one carb to cylinder motors before... I synced them the best I figured I could, however after driving it they may be off again... I opened the air cut off valve (the peice on top of the plenum) and cleaned it, the diaphragm and spring looked good so I put it back together and hooked it up to the number 2 carb float bowl nipple just as before...