My new toy!

[MCVinnie]

Although this isn't my first post in the forum, it is my first post as a bonafide Wing owner. I Just purchased this '87 Interstate. She's a bit rough, cosmetically but seems to run well. Aside from a couple of small [I think] mechanical issues (smokes like Cheech & Chong at a Dead concert when I first start her up) she seems to run well and all the stock amenities work, with a few extras thrown in for good measure.

I found some like new OEM seat backs and arm rests for her and will be swapping the torn ones out this weekend. Windshield was spider web'd so bad I could barely see out of it. I have a new one sitting in my living room right now, that'll go on tomorrow too. Then I can start planning the rest of the restore. It's going to be fun! :music:

So, thanks to everyone who helped me learn about these old Wing's before my purchase. I'm sure I'll have many more questions as the weeks go by.

 

[mcgovern61]

Congrats!! :clapping:

Keep us posted on the progress!! opcorn: :wave:

 

[Steve83]

That's a good lookin' bike - congrats! We want lots of pics of the process!

 

[wilcoy02]

Good choice on a Goldwing.
ENJOY!!!!!!

 

[Ansimp]

+1 :good:

 

[joedrum]

nice bike ...

 

[steve84]

pretty cool wing.

 

[ekvh]

Timing belts?

 

[joedrum]

theres that scary thing said again ..timing belts should be look at...but in no way do i advocate changing them till you have full understanding on how to and what to look for ..and things never to do in the process ... so many are pushed to do this first and distory there motor in there attempt to do it as mandatory first thing to do ...

 

[zman]

Congrats on the new wheels.

 

[trike lady]

Congrats. You've got a nice looking Wing. :mrgreen:

 

[slabghost]

Great choice!

 

[Omega Man]

A man and his Wing, true love. New seats, windshield, shining up the metal bits... The fun stuff! I miss those days.

 

[MCVinnie]

Thanks everyone for the great compliments! I'm really excited to get this old girl restored. I was going to do the timing belts tomorrow, I don't have a manual yet but have changed many timing belts in other vehicles before. How difficult is it to change on the GL's? As long as the marks on the pulleys and cases are aligned and tensioner set, how much more involved is it? Anything special I should look for?

 

[slabghost]

Leave them alone for now! Read some of the threads and methods others have used and read the manual in the gallery. Some of the cam pullies have marks that can easily be mistaken for timing marks. And getting the motor lined up correctly to install the belts can be difficult as the motor wants to turn from spring tension. I strongly advise you to read up on the different methods and the manual.

 

[MCVinnie]

Thanks slabghost, what do you mean by different methods?

Also, Joedrum wrote;

joedrum » Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:53 am[/url]":24ptfvtf]
theres that scary thing said again ..timing belts should be look at...but in no way do i advocate changing them till you have full understanding on how to and what to look for ..and things never to do in the process ... so many are pushed to do this first and distory there motor in there attempt to do it as mandatory first thing to do ...

What are the things never to do? As I read some of the other posts on timing belts, what am I looking for? What are some common mistakes people make?

 

[slabghost]

Never turn the motor with belts off and rockers installed. Never turn the motor over in the process with the starter. Turn it over by hand when it needs turned feeling carefully for any binding which can indicate a valve contacting a piston. Never leave the plug holes fully open. cover with rags of some sort to keep debris out. Plugs out does make the job easier but some have incurred damage from a screw or nut falling in un noticed. There are probably other things to guard against I'm not recalling just now.

 

[wilcoy02]

check out the how to before you change them.
need the manual so you do it right.

viewtopic.php?f=74&t=2101

 

[MCVinnie]

Thanks for the tips, guys, and the link, it's been good reading. I'm going to take this off the new member forum and start a tech post. See ya all there!

 

[tom foreman]

great find,nice wing. :music: