1st post - 1st Goldwing

[DGodwin]

Glad I found you all here. I’ve been reading some of the posts and they seem very helpful. So, I am the proud new owner of a black 86 GL 1200. This bike was given to me and it looks as though it’s a very nice bike, just lacking TLC. Besides that, the previous owner told me that he had the bike checked after it lost a cylinder and the mechanic told him it needed head gaskets. Low compression on 2 cylinders side by side. I haven’t checked it yet and the bike is partially disassembled, but not too bad. I can see the timing belt, etc. Any advice appreciated on what I should do next. Recommended head gasket kit? Replace valve seals? Timing belt kit while I’m at it and a recommended kit? Helpful tips or links for the repairs? Special tools? I’m an old auto mechanic but just getting my feet wet on bikes. Thanks for any advice!

[victorvmg]

your first check would of been checking for head gasket failure did the bike run? was it blowing white smoke thru exaust? water in oil? oil in anti-freeze? there can be a few causes for low or uneven compression.the first would be to eliminate head gasket failure.second would be valves,sticking hydraulic valve adjusters-valve clearance-burned bent valves,etc. first would be a pressure test.sounds like your past that stage. you will need a manual first,you will have to invest in one of these. not only your going to get feet wet you better know how to swim.what ever you do don't get after market head gaskets. I got mine on e-bay(got luckey) partszilla-cheap bike parts -toname a few around 50.00 each.you can get gates timing belts under 30 bucks.some web sites try to hit you for 100 bucks.valve seal should be replaced with the head gasket.you have found a great internet club,wealth of information.you really didn't give enough info to find a starting point.a compression check would of been in order.then as I said a pressure check.sounds like you purchased bike bike not running and partially disassembled.if you did then other problems could be learking.purchasing a non running Goldwing can be a handful.i try to check glowing docs everyday if you can give me a better starting point(running or non running when purchased)I could help you along.

[DGodwin]

Thanks for the help. I received the bike partially disassembled and not running, but the owner said it was running, just lost a cylinder. His mechanic disassembled it while doing diagnostics. He diagnosed head gasket due to low equal compression on 2 cylinders, not sure if he did a pressure test. The owner just decided he didn’t want to fix it and didn’t want to ride anymore (a couple of recent scares while riding.) Bike was a gift so I don’t have anything invested yet. I will do my own compression test and pressure test before going forward, but the bike doesn’t run now due to it being disassembled. Keep you posted. Thanks again.

[dingdong]

Welcome and good luck. Go to this site and download a free manual. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/14435 ... 1200a.html
You really haven't given enough info for us to be of much assistance. First step is to determine if really have a bad head gasket and go from there. Don't start throwing money at it until you know for sure.

[julimike54]

The guide posted below is a good guide on a New 2 U bike. Welcome and a factory manual is the best source of information!

https://classicgoldwings.com/forum/view ... f=11&t=259

[landisr]

Glad I found you all here. I’ve been reading some of the posts and they seem very helpful. So, I am the proud new owner of a black 86 GL 1200. This bike was given to me and it looks as though it’s a very nice bike, just lacking TLC. Besides that, the previous owner told me that he had the bike checked after it lost a cylinder and the mechanic told him it needed head gaskets. Low compression on 2 cylinders side by side. I haven’t checked it yet and the bike is partially disassembled, but not too bad. I can see the timing belt, etc. Any advice appreciated on what I should do next. Recommended head gasket kit? Replace valve seals? Timing belt kit while I’m at it and a recommended kit? Helpful tips or links for the repairs? Special tools? I’m an old auto mechanic but just getting my feet wet on bikes. Thanks for any advice!

A couple questions for you: How long since it last ran? As you no doubt know, long rest periods can cause rings to stick, seals etc to dry...

Also, can you better define disassembled? Heads off? Carbs removed?

[DGodwin]

Not sure on how long since the bike ran. Trying to get in touch with the previous owner now for more details. Disassembled is mainly just covers off, plugs out, radiator off, random things disconnected or detached for access. I checked timing and it’s all good and tightened the belt some, it had a lot of slack. Compression test is throwing me off - all cylinders around 160-165psi except #2 which has tested between 155psi and then 120psi and another time might be 150psi. Inconsistent readings on that cylinder only. Pressure tested and the only place I hear any leakage is coming from the crankcase, but not a lot. Rings maybe? Can’t nail the difference in psi. Occasionally while doing the compression test it sounded like a little air popped out of #4. I put a little oil in #2 but haven’t noticed much of a difference in psi and still inconsistent. I’m also fighting a battery that probably needs replacing, I just keep charging it. Just added a capful of Lucas oil stabilizer to cylinder #2 and let it sit while the battery is charging again. Trying not to put $ into this bike till I can figure out if it’s worth putting $ into or parting out. Keep you posted. Thanks for the help.

Update - after the Lucas and fresh charge #2 is at 165psi consistently. Guessing rings, but I’m still waiting on info from the previous owner. I partially put it back together, plugs in. Tried firing it up just to see. Turns over but wouldn’t run. Sprayed some carb cleaner into the intake and she cane alive. . Still gotta figure out the fuel, I don’t hear the fuel pump clicking. Keep you posted.

[DGodwin]

Sorry so long, but I’ve been riding!
So after putting everything back together and the compression was all good on all cylinders, assumed the problem was a stuck ring. I had to rebuild the carbs, really gunked up bad. Once carbs were rebuilt, she fired up and ran great. Did a carb sync. Test drove, great but backfired like crazy. Searched this forum and replaced the air cut-off valve (woulda been easier to do while I had the intake manifold off while doing the carb rebuilds). Changed oil, added some marvel mystery oil to the fuel and crankcase to maybe prevent the ring from sticking again (I found out the bike had been sitting for a long time before the head gasket diagnosis). Guess what, wet clutch does not like marvel mystery oil, trans slipped like crazy. Thought I was going to have to get it towed in, but I eased her back home, about 15-20 miles but mostly interstate. Changed oil again and she is occasionally slipping just a little still but way better and gradually getting better over time. Probably another oil change soon. Thanks for all the help and maybe I’ll see you out there. Loving the ride! I work at a children’s home in Florida. Last year I had the boys pray with me for a bike. Didn’t really know what to expect, but I know He hears their prayers and I thought it would be a good thing for them to see. Guess what. Got 2 bikes! One was an 02 Suzuki Marauder that didn’t run. Fixed it up and sold it and I got this Goldwing while I was working on the Suzuki. Praise the Lord!

[DGodwin]