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The bottom line is that there is no right or wrong answer here. The interstate is quick and easy and there is little chance of getting lost or getting a speeding ticket. The back roads are generally more scenic and, since you are not going as fast, you will better enjoy it. I also might...

I used a clothesline wire and poked it into the drain holes then passed a light under the cylinders to verify they were cleaned out. You will not get a direct view of the light but if you use a bright light in a dark room you should be able to see some light through the drain hole. I will make...

Thanks for the answers, that helps a lot. Three of the four plugs are rusty so I definitely need to make sure those drains are clear and make sure the boots are seated well. Should I be thinking about replacing the plug wires, caps or even the coils for my '81 with 70,000 miles or will the...

I thought so. I am sure that is the cause of the rust and engine cutting out. Thanks.

So I took my spark plugs out to check them for the first time in two year and they were real tight. Also, they were rusty (the body not the electrode). I will clean them up and put them back in with some anti-seize (they are the iridium plugs and in good shape yet). Is there a good way to...

71,512 miles to be exact on my '81 Interstate and still runs like new. My average is about 7000 miles/year almost all of it riding to work which can be 350 miles/week, weather permitting. I have only had to clean the starter, replace the belts, and adjust the valves. I am curious how many...

I think I am at about 70,000 miles on my 1981 Interstate. Knowing that many of you are getting 100k+ miles makes me hopeful that I am good to go for a while. I will be due for new timing belts this spring cuz I put new ones on when I got the bike 4 yrs ago at 45k. I do think the years are...

I don't know if some of you are talking about Kilometers or Miles. I assume small k is x 1000 and large K is kilometers. Darn metric system or lack of U.S. commitent to it.

A small scissor jack is all I think that would be needed, whether just in the shop or keeping one on the bike. I don't think I will keep one on the bike, using up good storage space, when I will hardly ever have a need for it. I never take any trips where I would need to park it for more than...

Thanks for the replies. I agree that it does no seem to be a stressed member as the engine and swing arm should act as an ample cross section. I am going to remove it and use a jack for maintenance and long term parking. I will just hope I don't need a center stand out on the road. Does...

one day a few weeks ago I noticed my center stand suddenly didn't sit right when down. It was a bear getting the bike back down from the stand. I figured the lever got bent when I propped it up on uneven ground. Took the bike out to my dad's to use his torch. I could just heat the lever...

Type in "GL1100 Saddlemen" in the ebay search bar and you should find what you are looking for.

I am keeping an eye out for a low mileage GL1100I. I have not found many but have seen a few standards with pretty low mileage-some with the vetter package. How easy is it to convert a standard to a interstate? e.g. putting the fairing/saddlebags from my interstate on a standard. Are all the...

Every little thing that makes the bike higher helps. I noticed that even having a new tire makes it easier to get on the centerstand. One common mistake for people not familiar with center stands make is they tend to pull pack on the bike. Pulling straight up with your right hand makes it...

I get a chatter sound from my '81 also. It sounds like a subtle diesel knock when cruising down the road at 4000 rpm, like a low-pitch chatter. It disappears when I let off the throttle. My timing belt/pulleys are good and valves are adjusted. Some days are worse than others but never really...

That's about 8 inches of snow on top of the clothesline pole. Very unusual, even in MN, and even more so for southern MN.

Rode to work again today (35 miles) but it is supposed to drop back the the 40s starting Wednesday: Uh-whaaat. But I did give the bike her first wash of the season yesterday. Wife was totally jealous of all the TLC Goldie was getting.

Whoo-hoo! broke 70 F today. Rode my bike to work this morning for the first time this year.

Thanks Gary, that answered a lot of questions so I think I got it. My drivers back rest (it is the the kind that inserts into the seat) is huge - it looks ridiculous and is actually uncomfortable. I like a small backrest that sits below the shoulder blades. It matches the diamond pattern on...

It has been a crazy April here in the upper midwest this year. Last year by this time we had 40 days above 50 F, this year, 4 days. Farmers are waiting for it to warm up, and even then they will have to wait for it to dry up. Last year most of them had all their corn planted by now.