Maintenance Question

[spingley]

Hello All,

I have a 99 GL1500 that I bought 2 years ago, it appears to have been garaged all its life and kept up pretty good, I have replaced all lights with LED, replaced wheel bearings, brakes, rebuilt the master cylinders, timing belts, slaves, and forks as well as a lot of other stuff because my wife and I are planning on riding out West this summer and putting thousands of miles on it, the only thing I'm not sure about is should I rebuild the carbs and replace all of the cooling system hoses, no problems with them right now, but not looking forward to having any issues in the middle of Utah or something, I would appreciate the opinions of others know more about the reliability of the older wings.

[klppdx70]

If the bike is presently running well, idles well, and no apparent vacuum issues (surging idle etc), then I would think a carb rebuild is unnecessary.

On the other hand, based on the list of things you have done, I suspect you'd be more satisfied and comfortable over the long trip if you pulled the carbs and at least inspected the vacuum lines, hoses and carb boots, considering the vacuum hose problem is a known/known with these bikes. I did your list as well for similar reasons. I did have the idle surge issue, so I replaced a few hoses and the carb boots while I was in there. Glad I did. I also purchased a carb rebuild kit, but I did not feel that job was necessary just yet, after inspecting them. The kit will stay in inventory for an eventual need later.

Sounds like a great trip. My vote would be to pull the carbs and gain the peace of mind.

[Sassy]

I agree with "peace of mind" in previous post.
Do what you need to achieve it.

[spingley]

I appreciate the advice and decided to go with it, ordered carb rebuild kit and new slide diaphrams, two years ago I sprayed all the hoses with silicone spray per an article I had read somewhere since I had all of the plastics off anyway, and all the vacuum and coolant hoses still looked in good shape, did not see any signs of coolant leaks either so I think I will only do the carbs and respray the hoses with silicone again for good measure.

[Whystay]

Regarding the coolant hoses... Just bring along some self-amalgamating rubber tape. Seals split hoses perfectly on mine and has for the last 4 years.
The only other things which might stop you dead on the road might be electrical so a multimeter and some spare fuses and relays.

[Wingsconsin]

When I had my GL1500 1996 I put 165,000 miles on it -
I replace the rear final drive once for stripped splines.
I had an alternator rebuild (changed to Compufire)
A fuel pump (not a known problem on the more recent vintage 1500's to my knowledge.
Tires - Brakes- are normal wear items -
Never touched the carbs or vacuum hoses or radiator coolant system other than normal maintenance.
The 1500 is a remarkable motorcycle and you will LOVE the trip you are going on.
Ride Safe

[rolilk]

I would clean or replace all the filters. And I mean all. Do the descant in the compressor. Clean lube you switching gear on the handle bars, a real pain when they don’t work stick while riding. Sounds like you worked on the front forks. Take a good long look at your triple tree bearings. Oh yeah and if your relays are old change them out for new. Ask me how I know this one.

[wkstumpf]

Replace your alternator or do a rebuild, if needed. Mine caused me some grief on a trip last year.