Interesting Find

[Normk]

I found a 1977 GL1000. the idea is for a winter project. When I went to look at it I found a lot of interesting things. First the wheels, Mag wheels, not spooks but the front is the proper 6 bolt wheel with the thicker brake rotors and stock forks. Not a Lester wheel. Back wheel is a matching wheel but 16 inch not 17. Air shocks and best of all, a single carb conversion with a manifold which appears to be cast. Bike had a new AGM battery and after a bit of fooling around it started. Came with a very nice seat not stock and brand new clip on bars. The one thing I can't explain is a sending unit installed just below the oil filler opening. Had a single wire attached which ended up buy the headlight attached to nothing. I don't know exactly what to do with this bike. I would like to return to as stock as I can. Not many of these left. All for $500. In the same area I found a very complete 1978 GL1000 with a stuck motor for $150. It has a new stock seat and very clean exhaust and stock handlebars. Any ideas where these wheels came from and that sending unit? Thanks for reading.

[Winger1957]

Wow, I see you have been overwhelmed with replies to your questions

I think that wheel might be a honda wheel. Not sure, but I have seen others in various images.
Wire over oil filler - probably related to oil? Maybe was a sending unit, oil temp? Dunno. AGM battery and a single carb - someone invested some time and money into your bike. Wonder why they sold it?

If this is your first GL1000, let me tell you that you will love it when its built. I bought one that was butchered and in pieces a few years ago. Owner inherited it and wanted to make a bobber out of it. I'm telling you, it was a shock to see when I arrived to buy it. It took several months of steady wrenching and ordering parts and searching for "not in stock" items. Took three months to get it on the road in my neighborhood only, and another three months to work out various bugs and leaks. Now I ride it all the time. Today I was in the Texas hill country (search "three sisters" or "twisted sisters" as a favorite motorcycle road) and put about 180 miles on my '78. Did the same yesterday. These bikes absolutely fly. Fourth gear at 4000 rpm hits like a rocket boost. I have had to brace myself by putting my right foot on the right passenger peg many times. The bike will accelerate so hard that it stretches out one's arms, rotating the throttle even further, so brace yourself.

Be sparing on Seafoam. Lots of guys swear by it on this forum, but Seafoam is very potent and can eat metal, especially that little chain that holds your gas cap. You absolutely must use ethanol-free leaded gas for the very best engine performance. Also, every few tanks run 2 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in a full tank of ethanol-free gas and it will also make your bike run better.

Lubrication - always use oil that does NOT have "friction reducers". The circle on the oil bottle label (on the back) will be blank in the bottom half. I run Rotella, and have also used Mobile 1 Racing Oil in the recommended weight oil. It is synthetic and thin as water when its hot, but your engine will noticeably speed up. I used it for two changes and then back to Rotella because I got paranoid at that thin oil.

Fork seals - if they don't leak out the top, then they are just fine. Changing fork seals will be the work you will hate the most. I love wrenching, but changing my fork seals the first time took me six weeks. Four hours of fruitless effort, followed by six weeks of pissed off. But if yours start to squirt oil out the top, you get your turn at six weeks of pissed off.

David Silver Spares has lots of parts. Save their link.
Partzilla - good parts source.
HondaPartsHouse - same
GoldwingParts.com is also good.

Good luck. Find and download the parts manual and the service manual. Buy a decent torque wrench if you don't have one. Clean your bike as you go. Fix the broken thing and upgrade, replace or clean the two items closest to the broken thing.

Points are easy and valves are easy.

Timing belts - were difficult for me until I discovered a cheat. That cheat enabled me to get a true factory timing tolerance and finally eliminated ALL primary drive chain rattle. Engine hums like new. Prior to that, timing was off so bad a couple of years ago that it literally sounded like broken bricks in a washing machine. Terrified me. But now - she flies.


Jerry

[Normk]

I have had a 1976, a 1983 1100 and 1986 1200. I really loved the 76 but let it go. young family and really need the money. Have always dreamed of having another naked GL1000. This is going to be a great winter time project. Have a nice heated shop and am retired and have a lot of time on my hands. Last winter i restored a 1982 Naked GL500. I have owned a lot of these bikes over the years. Cx500 (2), GL650, CX650C (3) and a 1982 GL500 Silver Wing Bagger. I loved them all. I love to ride them but most of all I love to bring them back and put them on the road again. I just hate to see these great bikes cut up or parted out. Can't wait for snow son I can start in. Thanks for the great reply.

[newday777]

Those wheels are Lester wheels.
I used to stock a couple sets on a the wall of the parts department for all to see when they came to the counter.
And yes 16" was a common size to have more tire choices. 17" had few good tires to choose from back then.

[Normk]

Thanks for the reply’s. I really want to save this bike for a winter project but just can’t keep my hands off. Today I discovered Green Coils and yes when I pulled off the ignition cover to check the points I discovered a Dynatek Electronic ignition. So I have Dynatek Coils and the ignition modular. I can’t believe the money that was spent on this old girl and then not finished. Lester wheels, Single carb conversion, new tires and a really nice seat. There is also after market exhaust, turn down type and the header pipes are in great shape. Seller also gave me a very nice Vetter fairing and a trunk with a mountings which had been on the bike at one time. All this proves if you love this old stuff, it’s out there. Just keep looking. And for some odd reason people just want it gone.