A free 81 gl 1100 for me in Alaska

[Steve83]

On the front of your right case, behind the timing belt, is a code with 1, 2, and 3 - each with a I, II or III next to them. These are the main bearing size codes. If you get a replacement case, be sure it has the same codes, in the same order. This assures that your crank and bearings will fit properly. Also, get an '80 or '81 case so the shifter mechanism and neutral switch will work. They were changed in '82.

 

[Silverado6x6]

You know I think I saw three II marks on the front of my case.
Was wondering what those were, plenty thanks, other forums people would not bother spending time to add advice, thanks.

 

[slabghost]

KZ1000 is a nice bike until you set valves. Under bucket shims are a pain. And the shims are not cheap if you can find them.

 

[Silverado6x6]

Just traded a gold detector for this 90 Kawasaki KZ1000 Police, needs new tires, carb boots are shot and a shifter seal, also the seat metal is rotten, has a nice Vetter fairing.

 

[joedrum]

nice this ought to be great project

 

[slabghost]

If memory serves the rubber connectors for 1 1/2" pvc pipe will fit in place of the carb boots. Seat pan if still straight may be fixable with fiberglass.

 

[Ansimp]

Nice :good:

 

[Steve83]

Cool bike! Looks like a fun project.

 

[Silverado6x6]

I did not pay a penny for it, traded a gold detector for it, needs new carb boots engine side, rectifier/regulator, shifter seal and maybe some repair inside shifter as its not upshifting smoothly, new tires and a major wire sanitation as it had police items since removed, I did get a seat but its pretty badly corroded underneath, I bypassed the start button and hooked up a battery, turns over. Not ready to start it until I get that shifter seal fixed as all the oil is just coming right back out.
PO says it ran recently. has about 80K miles.

 

[Silverado6x6]

Well its almost 3am here in Alaska, had an unusual week so far and now in a couple of hours the finale.
Started off monday getting the free 81 GW, tearing it down getting a frozen motor turning over, evaluating its restoration, then the bug infected me and I found another 83GW that I will be also bartering for today, running and all together, and the barn find of the KZ yesterday. My little trailer has been busy and the guys at work have dropped their jaws on the floor so often I think they have cracked it.
The KZ isn't an extremely rare bike it has a historical significance being of course the same bike used in "Chips" the 80's TV series CHP show. Damm fast bike I hear, it feels light too, lot less gear on it compared to my CX bikes with their cooling system and driveshafts.
But its also very rare for being in Alaska s we do NOT have Troopers on bikes up here, just ONE Wasilla cop rides a bike, thats it, so someone either rode this here years ago or bought it at an auction and shipped it here. Been stored in a shed for a long time.

So capping it all will be the final bike deal of the week coming up this morning, I will be trading some guns for a complete running 83 Interstate GW, hopefully its been well maintained, I hate getting bikes missing parts, I swear I will be forever on Ebay this winter scrounging up parts.

 

[Ansimp]

Good luck with your 83!!!

 

[dan filipi]

Sounds like you might have another project going soon.

Pics!

 

[Silverado6x6]

Going through some Ebay listings for the KZ and I found new inner carb boots, some used and new regulators, even a replacement battery tray, seems to be plenty of parts at decent prices. I found out this motor has roller bearings, has only 3.2 PSI oil pressure running but is high volume. Some Police version speedos are selling for hundreds of dollars, this one is just stock though, frankly I wasn't enthused about breaking away from Hondas, its bad enough where I work we have a fleet of concrete mixers that years ago were everything from Autocar, to White, Mack, Kenworth and Peterbilts.

I am setting up a large dry erase board at my bike workbench with sections on each of the bikes so I can prioritize each project.
Like the 80 CX500 has very bad head bearings, thats a red project as it catches when turning.
The 81 Gl1100 will get stripped to the frame and sandblasted, powder coated and may be a rebuild through the winter, if nothing else I will have extra parts for the 83, it still has a good front and rear brake master cylinders, the air shocks, pump and water separator I believe. U figure it will cost me less than $500 to get the KZ on the road, thats for tires, carb boots, a new regulator and battery, I may just put some Shinkos on it, again I am not enthused on this bike for some reason, nothing like the Goldwings.

 

[slabghost]

The KZ will be a really nice ride. It was one of the first generation superbikes. I have a few 650s and a 750 four cyl. and a 750 twin.

 

[joedrum]

hooch will show a different side to oldwings Honda never came close to ... that's what joedrum is making :whistling: :builder: :mrgreen:

 

[Silverado6x6]

Well I am still awaiting the owner of the 83 GL1100 I to give me a call, just left a message on hid answering service, myself just woke up from a nap. Hopefully this GW can be possibly ridden back to my Bat Cave, the owner says though the front tire is bad.
What could be a "very" good brand and make of tires for these Goldwings?

I yanked the Dunflops off my new Star 1300 Tourer and put on Metzelers, they ride a bit firm but I may not be experienced of a rider to comprehend the feel. Do these bikes with the air ride front and rear control worse or better with radials?
I seem to get a feeling most GW riders prefer Pirellis, well maybe the new ones, whats the consensus?
Our Alaska roads are rated the second worse in the nation, plenty of broken pavement, frost heaves, road snakes, you get the picture?

I used Bridgestone Spitfires on my CX500 and Shinko Tourmasters on the CX650, I like those Shinkos.

 

[Silverado6x6]

slabghost » Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:38 am[/url]":2ir7j6ae]The KZ will be a really nice ride. It was one of the first generation superbikes. I have a few 650s and a 750 four cyl. and a 750 twin.

If you had this one what direction would you point it, go original restoration, even keeping the cop bike look, toss the Vetter, toss the seat and bob it?
I was thinking of a more street type of windshield and a nice Harley cruiser seat, would mean I need a headlight bucket, the Vetter fairing would fit perfectly on one of my Honda CX bikes.

 

[slabghost]

I'd lose the vetter and put on a nice flat seat (bench) and a small windshield. I'm not a big fan of the bobbers. I've read that the progressive fork springs and super bike bars make that bike a lot more controlled and fun.

 

[dan filipi]

I ran a Pirelli front and hated it from the day I put it on.

Not saying they're all bad but the one I had always felt like it was going to slip out on me in the turns.

It also made the bike sensitive to uneven pavement, so much the front tire would "steer" me over when running over them at slow speed.
Once I got about 3,000 miles on it a decelleration head shake started coming on and the steering effect was getting worse.
At 5,000 miles I couldn't stand it anymore so I put a E3 up front.
It's been a night and day difference.

 

[Silverado6x6]

Speaking of shakes and wobbles I noticed what looks like some form of steering inertia dampener on the 81 GL 1100, like a big cast iron box bolted to the tree with a warning sticker of not to remove, what is it? Is it filled with lead shot, mercury or something?