1978 GL1000 Won't Run
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:09 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000
1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Hi, hope someone here can get me in the right direction. Recently purchased a 1978 GL1000, ran fine when I bought it, been riding it for 2 weeks. Yesterday started popping and misfired, then died, but started right up again. Today it started missing, then smoothed out again, stopped at a friends, and it won't start. Well, it'll start, and idle, then suddenly die, or start, idle, I can rev up, then die. I don't know how strong the spark is supposed to be to the plugs, but it looks weak to me. It has a Dyna ignition module. I jumpered the ballast resistor and I have the same symptoms, so I'm guessing that's not it? I put a new battery in when I bought it, and it shows 14 volts when it's running. Could it be the coils? Would both 'die' at the same time? I don't see any loose wires, and I checked for loose grounds, etc. I hadn't done any work on the bike before this happened, other than changing the oil and the fuel pump. The bike has 153,000 miles, PO said he changed the timing belts about 45,000 miles/4 years ago. When the bike ran, it was running fine, good power, etc. I haven't worked on motorcycles in years. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9088
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
It may be fuel starved rather than a spark problem.Filter plugged,vent in fuel cap plugged,poor fuel pressure,etc.
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:09 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Thought of that, put new fuel pump and filter, the way it just stops is why I'm thinking ignition, shouldn't there be enough fuel in the carbs to keep it running for a minute once it starts? Thanks for the input.
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:09 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Anyone here familiar with the Dyna ignition? One friend says pull it and put points back on it, cuz they go bad, another says they're bulletproof. If the Dyna was bad, would the bike run at all, or would it do this start die start run die thing? Is there any way to test the Dyna module?
- dingdong
- Posts: 4024
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:35 am
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Motorcycle: 1976 gl1000
1993 gl1500A
2004 NRX1800 Rune SOLD
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
If it is firing both coils it is working, it is just a switch. However it may have a grounding problem. Some of the Dyna have a problem with grounding. The back plate that is held on by two screw is the ground for the modules. The plate on some are thinner than the ridge where the screws tighten up. I had to put star lock washers under the screws in order to tighten up on the plate properly. Check for a good ground there. Also check the main ground cable where it connects to the frame and engine.
Last edited by dingdong on Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9088
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
I don't have a schematic,however any electronic device,if improperly installed could overheat and fail.
Once cooled it may work again.
You could go back to points.Personally I prefer any electronic ignition over points due to available spark during cranking and longevity.
The point system uses a large ballast resistor to control current and voltage to the point driven coils. Reversing the wires on the ballast can adversely affect the system.The parts that replace the points assembly are the whole package.
Also look at the voltage going to the modules.If it's low,the spark will also fall off.
If you have the Dyna S system,look at this ...http://www.powercommander.com/downloads ... /DS1-3.pdf
Once cooled it may work again.
You could go back to points.Personally I prefer any electronic ignition over points due to available spark during cranking and longevity.
The point system uses a large ballast resistor to control current and voltage to the point driven coils. Reversing the wires on the ballast can adversely affect the system.The parts that replace the points assembly are the whole package.
Also look at the voltage going to the modules.If it's low,the spark will also fall off.
If you have the Dyna S system,look at this ...http://www.powercommander.com/downloads ... /DS1-3.pdf
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:09 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Good news, I think, had the coils tested (good) put them back on, checked all connections and grounds, same problem. Then all the lights went out, and no power at all, while checking the battery connections, the positive cable literally came off in my hand, totally corroded under the protective cover, probably only 3 strands making contact. How it got enough juice to turn the bike over is anyone's guess. Replaced the positive cable and it seems to have fixed it (knock on wood). So apparently the Dyna is still good, thanks to all for their input. Still not perfect, so rebuilding the carbs is next on the agenda.
- 78AzWing
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 4:50 pm
- Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000 UnDressed and Progressively Weber Carbureted
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
You may want to replace the negative side also.
Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons
For thee are Krunchie and taste goode with Ketchup!
For thee are Krunchie and taste goode with Ketchup!
- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
We all need to remember that most issues are electrical on a good running bike. Folks are often to quick to tear into the fuel system when something electrical is an issue. Glad RougeInLA got this one fixed.
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:09 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
One wierd issue tho, bike runs fine all day, BUT, there's a store on the way home from work, IF I stop at the store, from there to the house the bike is almost guaranteed to just die, pull over and it starts right up. If I don't stop at the store on the way home, just pass by (same route) bike runs fine. Twilight zone?
- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Where is the fuel pickup when you stop, do you close it or leave it open?
- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Sorry, meant the fuel petcock, not pickup.
- virgilmobile
- Posts: 9088
- Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:39 pm
- Location: Denham Springs,La.
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 I
Previously owned
78 GL1000
81 GL1100
82 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 I
83 GL1100 standard
84 GL 1200 I
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
Stop at the store again,loosen the gas cap,do the shopping then secure the cap and drive home.
I'm guessing a vacuum lock in the tank from a bad gas cap.
I'm guessing a vacuum lock in the tank from a bad gas cap.
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- Posts: 219
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:53 pm
- Location: La Crosse, WI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
I've gone through at least two ignition switches in 40 years. The rivets on the copper contacts loosen up and make an intermittent connection. Tricky to find. You can get just the plastic piece that rotates the contacts and don't have to buy the whole housing with key etc... The first problem only showed up on left hand turns. The next one gave a clue with inconsistent lighting of the oil light when just the switch was on.
- Maz
- Posts: 785
- Joined: Tue May 19, 2015 4:43 am
- Location: Kent, UK
- Motorcycle: 1975 GL1000K1
1976 CB500T
1979 CB750L
1990 Yamaha FJ1200
1993 Suzuki GS500E
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
No disrespect, but this post is 7 years old now.....Hopefully he got it sorted!
Maz

Maz
Ironically, Common Sense is the LEAST common of all senses!
- Maz
- Posts: 785
- Joined: Tue May 19, 2015 4:43 am
- Location: Kent, UK
- Motorcycle: 1975 GL1000K1
1976 CB500T
1979 CB750L
1990 Yamaha FJ1200
1993 Suzuki GS500E
Re: 1978 GL1000 Won't Run
It's one of my pet hates.....Along with people who ask for advice, get 10 responses all suggesting the same course of action and then they ignore it and go their down their own route because "..my mate said".
Maz
Maz
Ironically, Common Sense is the LEAST common of all senses!