Removing Spark Plug Valence Cover?

[StrongEagle]

Apologies for a dumb question: Considering purchasing an 87 Aspencade, 47,000 miles. But, it runs on 3 cylinders at idle, seems to have power at speed.

_Probably_ carb problems, and, I want to do a compression test before buying. How does this valance cover come off (pic below)? I think if I get that, I can get the plugs out for a test.

TIA

[SilverDave]

There is one screw at rear, which goes into metal flange, and a larger one , at front, Phillips, which has a "T" washer, and goes into plastic fairing hole . The front valance flange is "sandwiched " , so look carefully before sliding it back and out .

On mine, Of you don't want to remove all the lower fairing , you also have to loosen the black plastic lower shield below the CB( left) and air pump( right side ), to get the spark plug wires off the plugs ... Label the wires before pulling them .

Blow out the spark plug holes , BEFORE unscrewing the plugs ( usually dirt in there) and with a small wire, clean the drain hole .

The hole is deep, and hard to tell if plug is aligned or cross threaded ... So I use something like this to turn plugs down before using the socket wrench for last 1/2 turn :

If its cross threaded, plug will not turn, with this "tool ", and you remove it and start again ..

----------------------------------------

In my experience, 47,000 is barely starting for that engine .. I would read the plugs , and not worry about the compression, until you get to 150,000.. These 1200 engines last a VERY long time....

SilverDave

[oldishwinger]

yes the cover needs to come off to get at the spark plugs, there is small bracket at the top of the cover, unscrew the single screw there and with abit of wingle to the left it will come off. just heads up stuff a rag or something in the crack between the timing belt cover and the engine, screws disappear in the another dimension there.

[StrongEagle]

yes the cover needs to come off to get at the spark plugs, there is small bracket at the top of the cover, unscrew the single screw there and with abit of wingle to the left it will come off. just heads up stuff a rag or something in the crack between the timing belt cover and the engine, screws disappear in the another dimension there.

[SilverDave]

We'd all be VERY interested in what your very low mileage engine has for the 4 compression readings ...

But if its " running on three at low speed" its almost certainly the carbs ... especially since it runs at high RPM, and the 2 pulse coils operate 2 cylinders each ..(so not the coils/ pulse generators )

Read the 4 plugs carefully , when you get them out ... they will say volumes about the carb tune situation .

and FYI : once , about 7 years ago, I "fixed" MY running rough 1200... while on a long road trip, by just replacing all 4 spark plugs .... I know they are supposed to last 30,000 or more, but I think they were just "tired " .

If the price is good, and you are mechanical, and can get a manual ... I'd recommend trying to "talk him down" a bit and just buy it. Carbs are easy to fix or have fixed.... and even 2 cans of Seafoam might just fix you up, with no mechanic.

It looks pretty skookum from that small pic.

SilverDave

[StrongEagle]

It looks pretty skookum from that small pic.

SilverDave

I'm experiencing cognitive dissonance! I had originally decided on a 1200 because I wanted to avoid the weight of a 1500 Wing... my Valk weighed in around 780 wet, if I recall.

Then, I read a number of articles and threads about comfort levels and it looks like the 1500 is a hands down winner over all flavors of Wing... and I had just about decided that I would forego the 1200 and keep an eye out for a 1500.

Then the comment, "It looks pretty skookum", and it is... see a couple more pics, below. That, plus the realization that any older bike, 1200 or 1500, is going to need TLC... timing belts, new shoes at least... so now I'm back to the 1200 under consideration.

I dunno gents... which way to jump? I'm not planning long haul trips... a couple hundred mile day trips, max... anything longer and I'll trailer to where I want to travel (example... from Houston to Colorado).

Thanks for any thoughts and insights.

[Ohara]

This bike does look good I have a couple of 1200’s and do enjoy riding them. I’ve never ridden a 1500 .

[julimike54]

I'm biased, so 1200 all the way!

[SilverDave]

Well two things that might make a difference :
Firstly ,
IF you get a 1200, you become an honorary member of the FCW club : The Four Cylinder Wing club !!

This is the last Wing that actually looks like a motorcycle,, and is not totally covered in tupperware, requiring 40 minutes to change an air filter.

Secondly,
Not only is a 1200 VERY comfortable, and long lasting , but after 30+ years , most of the serious bugs are gone ..( Not counting brakes, tires, etc .. Even a brand new 2018 will need those ... Many of us have well over 150,000 on our 1200's ....

Thirdly,
in most states a 1200 , from 1985, is eligible for " vintage " plates at about 1/5 the annual license fee costs...

and finally :
From deep on the internet :
------------------------------------
GoldWing 1/4 mile times

1975 GL 1000 12.95 seconds
1980 GL 1100 standard 13.18
1986 GL 1200 interstate 12.67 ←---- (Woo-Hoo)
1985 GL 1200 LTD 12.88
1988 GL 1500 13.06
1996 Valk standard 12.37
2001 GL 1800 12.87
2004 GL 1800 12.71

Quarter mile speeds are going to vary a lot, besides the skill of the rider ……. a lot things will affect the result, temperature, pavement, barometric pressure, tires, you name it.
------------------------------------------------

LOL

SilverDave

[julimike54]

I knew that the blue one I had was the fastest

[SilverDave]

Yes ... Blue, two tone is always the fastest colour for older Wings.....
...... could be powder blue ( mine) or bright blue (yours )...
... and a blue seat sheepskin takes another 0.01 second off the 1/4 mile times , too


MUCH faster than red, black or gold colour Wings...

LOL

SilverDave

[StrongEagle]

Yes ... Blue, two tone is always the fastest colour for older Wings.....

LOL

SilverDave

Now I'm really in quandry!

I'm looking at a red/burgundy/maroon GL 1200 and now I hear the blue ones are faster? I dunno, I just dunno.

[julimike54]

Good one...

[SilverDave]

Don't worry:
Thats still a gorgeous looking 1200.. If we ever go riding together, Julimike and I will ( obviously) beat you to the Burger-and-Pie place... and order for you... so you don't have to waste time when you ( eventually ) get there...

LOL

-----------------------------
More seriously, I talked to MY shade tree mechanic... " Running on 3" is almost always carbs ... one is partially blocked with crud .

If i were you, since its low mileage, I would :

1) Try really hard to talk him down several Hundred $$$ :
" Its a piece of junk,, its only running on three " or something like that .

2) Buy the ( Beautiful ) bike
3) Ride it home....
4) Pick a couple cans of Seafoam on the way and run them thru your machine at highway speeds ( 1/2 can per tank )

5) Then pull the plugs and read them to see if its still not running perfectly.

Good Luck
Ride Safe

SilverDave

[SilverDave]

So... Did you decide to buy the pretty GL1200... ?
Or not ?


SilverDave

[StrongEagle]

SilverDave,

After much gnashing of teeth, girding of loins, and careful examination of chicken guts, I have decided to go with a 1500. It was a tough decision, and the following factors came into play.

1. While I had considered the weight differential between a 1200 and a 1500 as something that would make a difference to me, when I actually rode the 1200, the riding experience in terms of slow speed maneuvering isn't that much different... this puppy is still heavy enough that it needs to be treated with respect.
2. There are quite a slather of 1500's available and corresponding parts
3. And to a lesser degree, age, parts availability, and dealing with things like stators.

I reckon I'm not a collector as much as a rider.

[SilverDave]

we'd all like pics , sometime....


SilverDave

[StrongEagle]

For those who might have an interest in the 1200 I was looking at...

I'm not affiliated, get no promotional consideration, yada, yada, yada...

https://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ho ... 09679.html

[SilverDave]

LOL

Good one !!!

no, no, no,

we wanted pics of the bike you DID buy, not the one you didn't ...

LOL

SilverDave

[k7dlt]

Did a search for 1200 Goldwings in Houston. That bike is still available for $2800. Wish I lived closer.