Fat@s$ goes on a diet

[ItsaCorolla]

And the bike will be getting the weight reduction treatment as well


So here's my winter project. I think you can post bikes here right?

Anyways, it's a 1982 Honda GL1100, better known as the Honda Goldwing aka your Grandpa's bike. Picked it up for dirt cheap with only 40k on the clock. Ran well but had some brake and cosmetic issues. Didn't really care about the looks since I'd be ditching most of the stuff anyways. As for the brakes, I threw some new pads in the rear caliper and problem solved.

Here's what I'm using for inspiration and hoping to accomplish. The bike should have a leaner, sportier look while not being so stripped down and uber-cafe that it becomes uncomfortable to ride. I haven't decided if I want to go for a vintage look or something more modern yet. I'll feel it out as I go.






Here's how the bike started out and how it looks at the moment. So far all I've done is cut the pipe, clean the carbs, remove the airbox/ad new filter, and remove about 180 lbs of touring accessories. Still need to come up with new lighting, sync the carbs and adjust the valves. Can anyone suggest an old guy or wizard still capable of working on carbs? I have to say, the bike definitely enjoys the new lungs and diet. The front tire even gets a little light now when I dump it.

[CubbyChowder]

Really interested to see where this goes. I've been yearning for a bike build lately and I thought it'd be funny/interesting to start with something goofy like a Goldwing (at least they're goofy in my eyes). Yours already looks 100x better with everything you've removed. This has a lot of potential, and is definitely inspiring me to follow my plans. Keep it up!

[jeger]

Nice work man !! Your way of custom is really nice

[FunfGang]

Definitely in for this, looks great so far!

[mrg7243]

A gold wing??!! Subbed dis gonna be good.

[222]

o my god! soooo sexy! cant wait to see the final result!

[SD202]

wow never thought a gold wing could look good. stripped down it looks awesome !!! My father used to have a 1200 gold wing when i was growing up. he could pop wheelies on it fully dressed with all touring equipment intact. Those hondas sure are reliable tho.

[Mulletproofed]

Yea man. They are such nice cruisers. I have been slowly making my old black goldwing like

[ItsaCorolla]

Ordered some parts today, found the largest production headlight I could (9") since the theme going when Honda designed this bike was "BULKY"

It's an H4 unit from a Moto Guzzi, lucked out and stumbled onto a hint when researching this assembly. The Motto Guzzi (and BMW bikes) use a Bosch light which normally sells for $250 minimum, but Suzuki used the same light on the GS1100 which goes for substantially less. So picked on of those up and these polished billet fork ears. Everything should be here next week.

Anyone have any suggestions for blinkers? Also I need to figure out how to lower the front end. Can I have the forks shortened or do I need more rake or what? Please chime in with any suggestions

[R32SilviaTech]

What is the issue with the carbs other than needing synced? Has it been sitting long with fuel in the carbs? These bikes are boss for an old school cafe racer conversion. I can help you out with the carbs if need be. I'm a motorcycle mechanic, and I love working on carbs. There not really to difficult if there in decent shape. I just restored a rack of carbs for my brothers 75 CB550. His carbs looked like they were in underwater storage. He would've had to shell out $1k or more, if he had to take them to a shop. He's also doing the old school cafe racer style. It's funny to cause he's 35 and he has a stock 09 GoldWing as well. There like a lazyboy on 2 wheels.

[ItsaCorolla]

What is the issue with the carbs other than needing synced? Has it been sitting long with fuel in the carbs? These bikes are boss for an old school cafe racer conversion. I can help you out with the carbs if need be. I'm a motorcycle mechanic, and I love working on carbs. There not really to difficult if there in decent shape. I just restored a rack of carbs for my brothers 75 CB550. His carbs looked like they were in underwater storage. He would've had to shell out $1k or more, if he had to take them to a shop. He's also doing the old school cafe racer style. It's funny to cause he's 35 and he has a stock 09 GoldWing as well. There like a lazyboy on 2 wheels.

Well the bike has 40k on it and as far as the previous owner could remember they've never been touched. I have a slight misfire/backfire from the left bank at startup until it warms up and the right side one of the plugs was leaner than the other three (which were significantly darker and smelled heavily of gas)

Oh and just picked this up as well while surfing flea-bay



Mainly I'd just like to have them synced or at least checked on a set of vacuum gauges just to see how they've fared after 30 years of use. Also the valve lash tick on the right side is driving me nuts so I need to adjust that before I mess with the carbs

[R32SilviaTech]

The carbs sound like they need the pilot jets taken out and cleaned. The valve lash adjustment on that engine is pretty simple. It's screw and locknut, so no special tools are needed other than a feeler gauge. I can tell you if your planning on using filters like the ones shown, you will need to get a jet kit or richen the mixture. If you can find someone who has the same setup you can save yourself alot of trial and error. The stock jets just can't get enough fuel with those open filters. As far as syncing goes you just need a carb sync tool, and it's not all that difficult of a process. This is just a basic starting point, if you need further detail let me know.

[ItsaCorolla]

The carbs sound like they need the pilot jets taken out and cleaned. The valve lash adjustment on that engine is pretty simple. It's screw and locknut, so no special tools are needed other than a feeler gauge. I can tell you if your planning on using filters like the ones shown, you will need to get a jet kit or richen the mixture. If you can find someone who has the same setup you can save yourself alot of trial and error. The stock jets just can't get enough fuel with those open filters. As far as syncing goes you just need a carb sync tool, and it's not all that difficult of a process. This is just a basic starting point, if you need further detail let me know.

That's a drop in filter that fits in the stock airbox. I was slightly concerned it might flow too well but we'll see once it gets here. I'll be pulling the plugs after a few miles to re-inspect.

[Bronzit]

A local guy has a stripped down Goldwing like that. I'm always stoked to see it around.
Definitely will be watching this one.

[R32SilviaTech]

As long as it's a drop in you should be ok. My brother wanted to put pod filters on his CB550 and I told him the same thing. He ended up sticking with the OEM airbox. If we ever end up living closer together I told him we could fab up a higher volume airbox out of fiberglass to enclose the K&N pod filters in. That's the best way to get consistent performance from them. If not it's just a beotch to keep a tune.