New to the forum

[Iggys]

Hi all,
Recently purchased a new to me '83 Interstate and getting it dialed in for some serious riding with my wife. With only 28k on the clock I am foreseeing a lot of potential and want to learn all the does and don'ts to prevent excessive wear and repair costs. To date, new progressive rear shocks, new fork tubes/bushings/seals with progressive springs. New saddleman two up seat for her.
The PO replaced timing belts, carbs rebuilt ( though it really is a cold blooded animal which am still trying to figure out), drive fluids and brakes. Next I'll pull the swing arm and moly paste all the moving parts which is what I'm searching this forum now for tips.
We mostly ride and wrench on our '72 Moto Guzzi's so some mechanical knowledge, just don't want to learn by trial and error on this beast. Thanks to this forum and members for all help.
Iggy

 

[backlander]

Howdy and welcome to CGW iggy, from southern Arkansas.

 

[Steve83]

Hi Iggy! Welcome aboard from another SoCal '83 owner!

 

[Placerville]

Welcome from California.

Regarding your 'cold blooded' comment....yes, the earlier 'carb'd' models had that in common. It was corrected in '85 with the first fuel injected model. You said your carbs were rebuilt by the PO. This could be good or bad depending on what they used and if they knew what they were doing. These carbs should only be rebuilt by a pro (and even Honda shops don't do them right). Vintage GL performance relies heavily on well maintained, clean carbs that are properly sync'd. I'd suggest that you make sure your carbs are in sync in order to address that 'cold-blooded' issue.

 

[Iggys]

Thanks guys,
I plan on building a four way vacuum cluster to do just that very thing. I had the carbs out to inspect and re-jet to stock and all "seemed" well. The PO jetted to 142 for Salt Lake City altitude. Back to 145's. Odd thing though that all the idle screw settings were all over the place so I set to 2 3/4 turns out as a base point. Once warm it pulls and idles very well ( compared to what?) but cold its a beast. Slight puffs out of airbox every so often and need for full choke feathering out for the first minute. Checked for any vacuum leeks but none found.
Will keep it going...
Iggy

 

[slabghost]

Slight puffs from the airbox may be a timing issue. 1100s have both a vacuum advance and mechanical advance in ignition timing. I'd check the vacuum advance for leaks. I had one that was flow through. Impossible to adjust the carbs right with that kind of air leak. The air fuel mix screws should be individually adjusted to obtain highest idle rpm twice.

 

[jetubet]

Welcome from Tennessee. Check your stator connector just in front of the battery. It's a white plug with three yellow wires. Make sure it hasn't corroded or been hot. That's a weak link. If you know the age of your timing belts, you should be good to go there.

 

[joedrum]

welcome iggy ...id say the cold blooded is iggy ....the spark is usealy weak on these oldwings nowdays making them not fire till good and warm ...

 

[Iggys]

Will do including advance check
Ig

 

[dan filipi]

Welcome from California.

Regarding your 'cold blooded' comment....yes, the earlier 'carb'd' models had that in common. It was corrected in '85 with the first fuel injected model. You said your carbs were rebuilt by the PO. This could be good or bad depending on what they used and if they knew what they were doing. These carbs should only be rebuilt by a pro (and even Honda shops don't do them right). Vintage GL performance relies heavily on well maintained, clean carbs that are properly sync'd. I'd suggest that you make sure your carbs are in sync in order to address that 'cold-blooded' issue.

"Should only be rebuilt by a pro"
I totally disagree with that.
Patience and keeping everything organized is the key.

Regarding a "pro"......
I was told by the prior owner of my bike the carbs had been gone through by a shop he takes all his bikes to which is known here as a respected honest shop.
I found 3 of the air cutoffs were shot and 1 was missing!

Do the carbs yourself.

 

[Ansimp]

Welcome from Oz

 

[Jungo]

Welcome to the best classic Goldwing forum.

Greetings from the Sunshine State.

 

[mwbill37841]

welcome from tenn.
like they said check your carbs.and take your time.they really arn't that hard. if i can do it i'm sure you can.

 

[Winger 82]

Welcome from N.Western,Pa. :hi:

 

[Placerville]

Welcome from California.

Regarding your 'cold blooded' comment....yes, the earlier 'carb'd' models had that in common. It was corrected in '85 with the first fuel injected model. You said your carbs were rebuilt by the PO. This could be good or bad depending on what they used and if they knew what they were doing. These carbs should only be rebuilt by a pro (and even Honda shops don't do them right). Vintage GL performance relies heavily on well maintained, clean carbs that are properly sync'd. I'd suggest that you make sure your carbs are in sync in order to address that 'cold-blooded' issue.

"Should only be rebuilt by a pro"
I totally disagree with that.
Patience and keeping everything organized is the key.

Regarding a "pro"......
I was told by the prior owner of my bike the carbs had been gone through by a shop he takes all his bikes to which is known here as a respected honest shop.
I found 3 of the air cutoffs were shot and 1 was missing!

Do the carbs yourself.

I can agree, to a point. If a person has the ability, patience and desire to do it (and if it comes out right), then I'd call them a 'pro' for lack of a better term. ('Successful' maybe?) Many DIY types aren't comfortable with carbs., and that's OK. It's unrealistic to think that everyone can do everything on these machines. I said that even Honda shops can't get these right and, as you say, many of the 'respected honest shops' aren't any better. I would consider the likes of Pistol Peter and Mike Nixon to be true reliable professionals.

 

[toytender01]

Welcome iggy from central Calif.

 

[brianinpa]

Welcome to Classics Iggys.

 

[Iggys]

Thanks guys ! This group is turning out to be an invaluable resource and a lot of helpful folks.

Great to meet you,
A.Iggy Scarpitti