New from Ontario, Canada

[quennc]

Would like to say hello to all. Will be picking up my new used ride within the next couple weeks. It's an 82 GL1100. Looks in amazing shape. The guy i'm purchasing it from mentioned alot of things he's done to it. Such as, battery, startor, coil, thermostat, fluids ect.. Says all it needs are rear brake pads. So i'm not to worried about the bike. I've always loved the classic goldwings. I've done my research on these bikes before setteling on this one. The only concern i have is the stator and timing belts. I asked the guy if the stator was ever replaced and he was not sure since he's only had the bike for a couple years. Long story, too much to explain there. But he seemed like an upfront kinda guy and my wife got the same impression. As for the timing belts, i never did ask him. The bike has 100300 miles on it and it purrs beautifully. I did notice that the RPM fluctuates. Nothing drastic, but he mentioned that it normal for these bikes. Idles kinda like a harley. No offense. Only comparison i can come up with. I've only owned classic super sports so not sure what to look for here.
So i just have a couple question. I mentionned the stator the the guy and with the research i've done and the answer he gave me just wanted to see what some of your opinions are. The answer i got was that generally the stator goes when there's alot of extras trying to pull power out of the stator, such as light, radio, cb radio. BUt mostly lights. Just alot of extras that's not required. It seemed to make alot of sense to me. I even had a mechanic tell me that if the bike does come with over whelming lights to turn around a walk the other way.
The other question would be about the timing belts, seeing that this guy only owned the bike for a couple years, should i just go ahead and change the belts and if so, is it a big job and are the any sites where i can get detailed instructions on how to do it?

 

[aslatk]

Welcome to CGW from Stockton, California. Very nice looking ride. Love the look of the windshield and the trim plate below. Lots of good info here and plenty of nice folks to answer any questions you might have. This forum helped get me through my first set of timing belts and more. Lots of humor and interesting stories too.
:salute:

 

[thebro]

Welcome aboard from a fellow Ontarian. This site is pretty good for info. There is lots of information and how to's right here. You can search the forum there has been much discussion on the stator issue. Nice looking bike.

Roger

 

[slabghost]

we have several how to threads and manuals here to help with the timing belts. Welcome to the fun. The idle you describe bothers me. When all is right the bikes idle and run very smooth. I suggest you check your compression. With the mileage you have it's almost certain the belts have been changed once and likely are due to be replaced again. No matter what the issue there are those here that have done it and will help out.

 

[detdrbuzzard]

hello quennc, welcome to CGW

 

[joedrum]

welcome to CGW ... :mrgreen:

 

[dan filipi]

we have several how to threads and manuals here to help with the timing belts. Welcome to the fun. The idle you describe bothers me. When all is right the bikes idle and run very smooth. I suggest you check your compression. With the mileage you have it's almost certain the belts have been changed once and likely are due to be replaced again. No matter what the issue there are those here that have done it and will help out.

Welcome to the forums.

I agree with slabghost.
It might also need a carb sync but mostly these definitely don't sound like a Harley, I wonder if the muffler baffles have been taken out.

 

[mcgovern61]

Welcome from down under in New Jersey! :smilie_happy: :clapping:

Here is my '83 engine at idle:


And here is the other end:

 

[quennc]

Thank you all. And that video that's posted on here is pretty much exactly what it sounds like when i started it cold. But i failed to mentioned that we were in a small inclosed work shop so it would sound a little louder then it's suppose to. Seeing the RPM needle move like in the video is pretty much identical to what i was saying. It wasn't drastic by any means. All my previous bikes generally ran at a higher idle so it seemed more stable. So if that's a normal idle for these bikes then i'm not to worried.

 

[mcgovern61]

Here are two more samples. The first is a cold start up and then idle:


And here is normal idle (normally 950 to 1050 RPM) Please disregard the exhaust leak when I throttle up...the copper gaskets were not installed yet.

 

[quennc]

Those videos definatly help. My wife was even listening to this videos and says that it's exactly what it sound like. Also the choke was never used. Actually he's told me he never uses the choke. Says he's never had any issues starting the bike. So for that never used the choke. He also mentioned that he runs some kind of foam through the gas tank every 5 or 6 fill ups. A few people told me that that's a good idea especially through the winter months. And the carbs were completely redone last year since these bike are supposidly notorious for carb issues. Which is why he runs the foam through.

 

[mcgovern61]

The foam he is referring to is Sea Foam and many of us have used this very successfully! My carbs are from an '81 and the engine is an '83. They tend to just drip enough gas when it sets for a long time to require choke to start without stumbling. (My fault, they were rebuilt but still need a bit of adjustment....too busy riding!)

 

[quennc]

Just realized i put 100300 miles. It's actually 100300 km. Ooops, my bad.

 

[AApple]

Welcome to the CGW Forums, quennc!!!! :clapping: :clapping:
Sweet bike! Me likes!! :good: :good: :good:


You'll find plenty of help/info here, but please post future tech questions in the appropriate forums, so more folks will see them. :mrgreen: k:

 

[54Greybeard]

Wow! Cool looking bike! Welcome from Maryland

 

[toytender01]

Welcome from central Calif.

 

[bronko37]

One of the coolest looking dressed wings I've seen. Love the color. Just take issues out of the equation and change the belts. Easy job. It only takes about 6 beers to finish it. :salute: Totally worth the peace of mind....

Welcome to CGW

 

[Ansimp]

bronko37 » Thu May 15, 2014 5:37 am[/url]":30gjv2xf]
One of the coolest looking dressed wings I've seen. Love the color. Just take issues out of the equation and change the belts. Easy job. It only takes about 6 beers to finish it. :salute: Totally worth the peace of mind....

Welcome to CGW

+1
Welcome from Oz

 

[Joep]

Welcome from North TEXAS DFW area.... nice wing