Nice to mett you all.

[lordtimbo]

Thanks for having me here. I found the forum as I was searching for info on tuning up my 81 GL1100. I found the C5 post very interesting. I'm looking into the best ignition system and the best bang for my buck, pun intended. She's missing a bit, so I'm figuring the coils, being as old as they are, have some insulation breakdown, maybe a crack here and there, and either way the best thing to do is install a good reliable ignition system. Any help would be much appreciated.

Safe Travels,
T

 

[aussiegold]

Welcome from Australia. plenty of good info here, and good people as well. :wave:
i have two C5 ignitions , and in my opinion it is the best upgrade you can do to these older bikes. :moped:

 

[Steve83]

Welcome from Southern California! The '81 is a fun bike, and the C5 will be a huge improvement! Enjoy!

 

[lordtimbo]

Thanks Guys,
A couple quick questions:
1. How much moo-la will I need roughly to do a C5 conversion?
2. Any pointers on repairing my fairing? It's exactly what it's all cracked up to be.

 

[rob.lafady]

They aren't cheap, but their not cheaply made either. Your looking around $500, dynas are cheaper, but the C5 is much better imho.

 

[dan filipi]

Paul from C5 has made the only replacement ignition available for the 1100..

 

[brianinpa]

Welcome to Classics from PA!

I installed the C5 using one of the older kits that required pulling the engine. With that kit, pulling the engine was the hardest part and that wasn't because of the amount of work required in pulling the motor but rather because of all the added things I wound up doing once I had the motor out: clean, painting, polishing, etc...

The actual C5 install is rather simple once you decide what to do about the cam shaft: either swap to 1000 cams or drill and tap the 1100 cam on the left side. Once that is done, run the wires, mount everything, time the ignition (turn the wheel until the red light is lit) and button everything up.

Paul and his gang make the best performance improvement for these old Wings - PERIOD!

 

[zman]

Welcome to the forum, I don't have a C5 but wish I did..just a matter of time till I buy one. The faring can be repaired with ABS glue , the black ABS glue from any hardware store. I think there are some tutorials on it somewhere.. still , I don't know the forum well enough to find it for you.

 

[joedrum]

welcome to classic ...

 

[Ansimp]

Welcome from Oz

 

[mcgovern61]

Welcome to the site from New Jersey! :clapping:

 

[julimike54]

Welcome to the forum, enjoy!

 

[Winger 82]

Welcome from N.Western,Pa. :hi:

 

[OldWrench]

Welcome to the site from California. If you have a lot of cracks I would look into a plastic welder, they are inexpensive and do a great job. Actually I think Harbor freight sells an inexpensive one.

 

[lordtimbo]

:music:

rob.lafady » June 25th, 2015, 2:27 am[/url]":44ja2gge]
They aren't cheap, but their not cheaply made either. Your looking around $500, dynas are cheaper, but the C5 is much better imho.

Thanks, well I'm guesstimating I'll sink a G or so on basic maintenance and restoration combined. I'm gonna murderize her, so while i have her torn down for powder coating, I'll rebuild the clutch, brake cylinders, wheel and swing arm bearings, and so forth, so I keep a running search on EBay for whatever parts are available. I was surprised to see just how reasonable the cost of parts for the GL1100 is. My last project was a 73 BMW R/6, a bit more work, time and money to keep on the road, but what a smoothe ride. That's why I chose the Goldwing - It's a pretty cozy bike with plenty of headroom to catch up with the pack. Right now, she's running reliably, but she'll cough once in awhile. I've set the valves and rebuilt the carbs and synced them, but she misfires, usually in the low RPMs before 3K especially starting up cold, but she'll hack a few times at 4K in 5th when she's hot. I'm thinking the coils are shot. So, I'll have to test them, but at this age, chances are good that they've degraded a bit. My guru is a HD specialist, and he recommended the dyna mod as well, and go all digital with the tuning. so I have homework to do, and I'll sock up some cabbage to feed the beast, and hopefully by this time next year, I'll have her lookin' fat and pretty. My bro, dad and me want to go cross-country from Florida to California and back while he's still able. So the sooner I can trust her to take me that far, the better. Anyone who'd like to join us for a leg, just whistle. I'm a 4th gen motorcyclist, and that's how we roll. I love it.

Good to know you guys are here. Keep me informed. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
:music: T

 

[dan filipi]

lordtimbo » 9 minutes ago[/url]":6k3sowt7]
:music:

rob.lafady » June 25th, 2015, 2:27 am[/url]":6k3sowt7]
They aren't cheap, but their not cheaply made either. Your looking around $500, dynas are cheaper, but the C5 is much better imho.

Thanks, well I'm guesstimating I'll sink a G or so on basic maintenance and restoration combined. I'm gonna murderize her, so while i have her torn down for powder coating, I'll rebuild the clutch, brake cylinders, wheel and swing arm bearings, and so forth, I keep a running search on EBay for whatever parts are available. I was surprised to see just how reasonable the cost of parts for the GL1100 is. My last project was a 73 BMW R/6, a bit more work, time and money to keep on the road, but what a smoothe ride. That's why I chose the Goldwing - It's a pretty cozy bike with plenty of headroom to catch up with the pack. Right now, she's running reliably, but she'll cough once in awhile. I've set the valves and rebuilt the carbs and synced them, but she misfires, usually in the low RPMs before 3K especially starting up cold, but she'll hack a few times at 4K in 5th when she's hot. I'm thinking the coils are shot. So, I'll have to test them, but at this age, tchances are good they've degraded a bit. My guru is a HD specialist, and he recommended the dyna mod as well, and go all digital with the tuning. so I have homework to do, and I'll sock up some cabbage to feed the beast, hopefully by this time next year, I'll have her lookin' fat and pretty. My bro, dad and me want to go cross-country from Florida to California and back while he's still able. So the sooner I can trust her to take me that far, the better. Anyone who'd like to join us for a leg, just whistle. I'm a 4th gen motorcyclist, and that's how we roll. I love it.

Good to know you guys are here. Keep me informed. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
:music: T

Dyna mod....for an 1100? :headscratch:

 

[zman]

The 1100 already have an electronic ignition, from what I have seen are more reliable then the dyna`s..never heard of a stock ignition pickup failure but have heard of dozens of Dyna`s failing..and being in the rear of the motor I would opt for stock personally..unless you go with the C5 that mounts to the head.

 

[lordtimbo]

zman » Today, 1:42 pm[/url]":yzrwlj4i]
The 1100 already have an electronic ignition, from what I have seen are more reliable then the dyna`s..never heard of a stock ignition pickup failure but have heard of dozens of Dyna`s failing..and being in the rear of the motor I would opt for stock personally..unless you go with the C5 that mounts to the head.

Thanks for the advice. It'll probably be the C5 over the dyna, but I want to weight out the pro's and cons based on the info available.

 

[mjanderson]

Welcome!

 

[OldWrench]

One thing you might consider things like bearings, O-rings, and seals can be obtained from bearing houses much less expensive and you can get quality parts.