Barn Find

[Def]

Hey Old Goldwingers!! I am about to pick up a 79 Goldwing (Exactly like the one I bought new in 79 .....a long, long time ago.... It is a barn find where the previous owner took it apart but then got sick and passed away. That was 6 years ago. It is in pieces but he fixed the 2 items on it that were not working. 1-full carb rebuild and 2- a rattle in the motor that turned out to be a rattly alternator. Anyway, the parts are nicely polished under a coat of dust and it comes with a vetter fairing, saddlebags and a complete 1100 engine in addition to the 1000... both of which are not installed in the bike. I noticed it has collector plates on it. A question for you experts out there. What items should I definitely give attention to when reassembling the bike? Hello again and I look forward to your input. I'll try and post some pics when I pick it up.

 

[Joep]

First.. maybe replace the belts on either motor which ever one you plan on using.. change oil and filter.. when filing the radiator.. use non silica antifreeze or one made for aluminium/aluminum motors.. check the little drive washer in the front wheel on the speedometer drive it could deteriorate.. replace brake fluid, maybe consider rebuilding calipers... they can stick from sitting..others will post also soon.

 

[Def]

Thanks Joep...you're everywhere!! LOL!

 

[Joep]

No ex third shifter.. this was my normal time to be at work for years.. haven't shifted back to abnormal time..

 

[Steve83]

+1 on all the above. Also, check the gas tank for rust, and the carbs for flow and leaks before the engine goes back in. You don't want to have to pull the carb rack after the fact. How many miles on the bike? You might want to remove the water pump cover amd make sure there's no side-to-side play in the pump.

 

[joedrum]

id say i would try and find out what yr 1100 you have ... one way to see if its an 83 is to look at oil level window on the side of motor if it looks like the 1000 motor its not an 83 ....there are some neat possibilities here and every thing is apart so it at a doable stage right now ...the 1100 motor was probably bought to replace the 100 in the thinking it was bad ...with the alternator or stator noise it was making .....idont know how well you are at wrenching but the possibilities here are something to consider if your capable of doing some parts switching to get the bike possible out of the parts you have ....if its an 83 1100 motor the gear spread is super wide and would really make a nicely geared bike ...an 82 would be nice also in the gearing ....80-81 might be rather low geared bike ....but in general the 1100 is a better motor with beefier parts ... the cams could be switched to give the ignition hook up that the 79 bike is wired for ... and the rebuilt carbs will go right on the 1100 .... the rear cover can be switched also getting rid of the rear ignition of the 1100 and allowing the 1100 to fit the frame just like the 1000 fits .... so huge possibilities here to think about if it was sitting at my house ....it makes for a great bike i know i have one set up this way only its a 1200 in a 1000 frame bike ....this may be all to much for you but thought id post it so you know ....

 

[Def]

Thanks for the tips on what to look out for and that's an interesting bit on the 1100 engine. Does it bolt right in ,in place of the 1000? Of course, I know nothing about the Goldwing but should be much more knowledgeable when I put it all back together. Mileage on the bike says 14000 miles. Not sure how many times the clock has gone around.

Def

 

[Def]

Okay, so the bike is in my garage, wife's car is parked on the road and I've cleaned up the bike so I could see what I really need to do to this wing. Turns out the 1100 engine is toast and was purchased for a few of the interchangeable parts on it. The rattle in the alternator is fixed but what I though was a carb rebuild ends up being a new carb kit ready for install. A couple of questions for you experts out there. What is the best shop manual to acquire for the 79 goldwing? One muffler has a rust hole in it. Do you guys weld them up or buy a good used one? It has a vetter fairing with no key. How do I get in there? Do you folks rebuild your own carbs? Let me know when you get a chance and sorry for all the questions.

 

[slabghost]

Many here have rebuilt their own carbs and others like myself simply cleaned them well and adjusted them. Best manual for anything is the manufacturers shop manual but they can be a bit hard to read and assume the reader is a mechanic. If there are numbers on the locks a locksmith can make a key easily.

 

[wilcoy02]

why be sorry for all the questions?
That is why we read and respond to these posts.
That is why this forum is so great.

You may ask a question that is just what someone else wants to know.
I have learned a lot by someone asking a question.

Nice find-you will enjoy it when you get it on the road

 

[Steve83]

If you're patient and pay close attention to how they come apart, the carbs are not difficult at all to rebuild. Just be sure all the little tiny passages are clear, and use quality parts to re-assemble. As stated before, they might just need a good cleaning and adjustment. The 1000 carbs are somewhat easier to rebuild than the 1100's, and definately easier to adjust the idle mixture once on the bike.

There are usually manuals on Ebay for these bikes, the Honda manual would be the best, but the Clymer or Chilton are decent as well.

As for the muffler hole, it depends on the size and location of the hole, and the condition of the rest of the muffler. Used and aftermarket mufflers and systems are available, depending on your budget. Some have used Harley take-offs and like the results.

I have no idea on getting into the locked fairing without a key, other than taking it to a locksmith or calling one who's mobile.

Good luck with the project, and keep us posted with updates. We love lots of pics!!!

 

[Joep]

For key there may be a key hidden on the frame of the bike.. covered in tape possibly? .. the other is to take it to a locksmith and pay to have it opened and new keys made.. on the muffler hole if it is smaller then a quarter of an inch and if it were mine I would have it welded with a wire welder ..

 

[Def]

Thanks for your comments and info. Some more random info on the bike. The PO's brother had a jar full of keys. I borrowed it from him and found the key to the fairing pocket! I was hoping to find it stuffed with money...but...no such luck, lol. Also, I found a complete (I think) OEM rebuild kit for all for carbs. PO installed 3 items in one of the carbs. Here's my description of the parts he put in. A 2" long thin spring, and 2 solid metal plugs, one is thick and one is thin. Gotta line on a clymer manual so will pick it up on Wed. There's a guy who parts out and sells early goldwing parts called Straightwings but you folks have probably heard of him. Mileage is 113500 kms which converts to about 70000 miles. Cheers.

 

[Def]

Have any of you guys used Harley takeoffs on your 79 wing? If so, what model did you use? I think that would be a nice cheap alternative as the dumpster at the HD dealer should be full of them. I don't think I've even seen a Harley with stock pipes! Do they also allow for kick and sidestand retention and oil and filter changes without removal?

 

[slabghost]

Yes they've been used. The Harley pipes. No reports I recall on sidestand issues. Oil and filter change shouldn't be an issue the filter is on the front of the motor.

 

[Joep]

The slip ons attach behind the side stand and iirc also allow center stand retention... any of the road bikes will fit.. May need an adapter to neck down or up the pipe connection... just watch out for the newest pipes.. I hear they have built in catalytic converter (from s Harley owning friend)

 

[Def]

More greatg advice, thanks. Do you know if re-jetting the carbs or mucking with the timing is necessary with Harley pipes on a 79 wing?

 

[toytender01]

roncar on this site is the best key source. get nunbers off eginition or one of the other locks and he will cut you a perfict replacement.

 

[Steve83]

Modifying the exhaust on these engines seems to make little or no difference in carburation or ignition requirements. You should be fine. Someone else might have other ideas though...

 

[Joep]

The road touring bikes are close to the same size as ours in displacement... so won't affect it much.. maybe allow it to breathe easier like putting 3 inch exhaust on a car... not changing the headers length so won't cause need to rejet