1983 Goldwing GL1100 Interstate

[danmercer214]

Hi everyone,
Fairly new to the site. I’m Dan from Sanford Michigan. I recently bartered for the 83 gl1100 interstate. Guy was gonna part it out. It runs but a bit rough. I put seafoam and rec fuel in it. It wouldn’t idle. Now it will idle. It surges a bit but I think it doesn’t care for the seafoam. My questions are what should I look for to get it ready for the road. Tires are fairly new. I’m slowly working from the back to the front. The guy was gonna part it out. I decided to start at the rear brakes. Good thing. It was a clustered mess. Jury rigged. Changed oil and found it was missing the spring and washer which is ordered and same with the rebuilt kit for the rear caliper with new pads. Next will be the master rear cylinder. Got the front brakes working but will rebuild and put new pads as well. From you experienced older Honda gentleman/ladies what should I look for to make sure it’s road worthy. Want to put a lot of miles on it. It currently has 73k miles on it. All lights, front electronics work. More concerned about the mechanical aspect. Any input would be very appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.
Dan

[DenverWinger]

Hi and welcome to the site!

Sounds like you are already working over the safety equipment, brakes etc.

These bikes are pretty bullet proof, but I'd change the timing belts right away. Interference engine, if a belt breaks you have bent valves or a hole in a piston.

Might check the steering head bearings, with bike on center stand lift front of engine so front wheel is lifted and free. See if there's a "Detent" in the feel of the handlebars as you turn the hanging front wheel from left to right, the "detent" would be felt as you pass center.

Next time you have the rear wheel off, is a good time to service driveshaft splines. There's "How-to's" here on the site.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Once you have it running right you'll have miles of smiles!

[newday777]

Welcome aboard the forum and the wing. The 83 is a good wing to start out on, I also started on an 83 though it is an Aspencade. As Mark said change the timing belts if you don't have receipts of them(2) being changed in the past 5 years.(don't go by looking at your belts......) Rubber hardens after 5 years and gets a set in the bends. Cheap insurance to change them(@ $30/pr for Gates belts from Rock auto).
There are a lot of good How to articles in the upper left corner of the forum page if you haven't discovered them yet for the 1100. Check the dates of the tires too! 5 years max if you are going on a long ride.......

[newday777]

As to the bike not liking the Seafoam, the idle circuits are plugged, did you idle the bike for 20 minutes after mixing in the Seafoam? Did you put in a full can to a full tank of gas?(yes, you can put in a full can to a full tank, but best when you can ride the bike weather to burn off the tank of gas in a couple days after treatment).
If you have to rebuild the carbs, do it right the 1st time with Randakks Master carb kit, don't try to cheap out with less expensive kits!!!!!! Clean the stock brass parts and reuse(hopefully someone hasn't put in cheap kits and brass before you).
https://www.randakks.com/carburetor-kit ... group.html
Strip down the carbs fully and ultrasonic or deep soak cleaning can to fully clean the tiny idle circuits in each carb. Use Randakk's carb rebuild manual.......

If you have to clean the carbs, also remove the tank float to inspect and clean out the tank of any debris or rust cleaning so you don't plug up the clean carbs.

Clean and inspect all the charging wiring and plugs. The 3 yellow wires from the stator are known to get burnt from dirty connectors.(see the how to articles)

Change all the bulbs to LEDs and for the turn signals change out the old thermal flasher to an electronic flasher to get the correct flash rate with LEDs. Get LEDs with lots of chip sets so they are seen well during the daytime.

Headlight bulb use the Socal Motosports LED bulb
https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/new_st ... 809/358844

2 pin electronic turn flasher relay
https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Turn- ... B07GWL1YS3

Front turn 1157 amber
https://www.amazon.com/iBrightstar-Newe ... NrPXRydWU=

Rear turn 1156 amber
https://www.amazon.com/iBrightstar-Newe ... ljaz10cnVl

1157 Brake/Running Red
https://www.amazon.com/iBrightstar-Newe ... NrPXRydWU=

Replace the bulbs in the saddlebag wrap around light bar with LEDs depending on what bulbs are in it.

[danmercer214]

Hi guys
Thank you for all the info. Gives me a great starting point. Looks like a summer project or I should say spring. I have another bike to ride while getting the wing up and running. Thanks again.
Dan

[Overdog]

Pop the battery cover off and check the plug coming from the stator....three yellow wires. They overheat and melt which could lead to stator failure. Cut out the plug out and solder the wires direct to each other....it doesn't matter which goes to which