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1980 GS1100E Rebuild

craz1 said:
Nicely done. Everything turned out great. Hows the first start
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Well, after some fiddling, I managed to achieve a nice idle, but am experiencing loud pops when applying any throttle. Number 4 cylinder is running (not running) cold. Since the weather has turned cold, I haven’t dug into the issue. The number 4 plug wire is pretty chewed up, so I plan to replace the coils and wires with a newer pair of Honda MP08s that I have. Haven’t checked to see if the chewed up wire is actually causing a lack of spark or not. I’m using all new plugs. Need to sort it out and then balance the carbs.
 
Its always fun to correct the small problems. I saw you rebuilt the carbs. might want to look at the diaphragm on #4. By the looks of your shop (very well organized and clean) I would expect you to figure it out. Nice work on everything. My last build was a CB550, bike ran good for about 35 miles and started to lose power. Turned out the REG/RECT I put on was only a rectifier and being the Honda has an excited field which was not connected I lost battery pretty quick. Got that corrected and again it started to lose power like running out of gas. Opened the gas cap and it started, found a small piece of felt plugging the vent.

Good luck with your search.
 
Looks great! I like the dolly/cart idea, I think I will copy it.

I'm about an hour east of you in Mundy Twp. Would love to meet up this spring and check out the bike!

Also, what's under the car cover????
 
Your bike looks great. Good job!

Be sure to retorque the cylinder head nuts after a few heat cycles. I used Athena gaskets, with a green base gasket, one time, but the head nut torque kept falling off each time I checked. After about the third retorque I noticed the base gasket extruding out between the barrel and the case. Mind you, this was about 10 years ago, so hopefully, the gaskets have been improved since then.
 
Beautiful GS, for sure. May I ask what's hidden under the blue car cover..? Curious motorheads need to know..:D
 
craz1 said:
Its always fun to correct the small problems. I saw you rebuilt the carbs. might want to look at the diaphragm on #4. By the looks of your shop (very well organized and clean) I would expect you to figure it out. Nice work on everything. My last build was a CB550, bike ran good for about 35 miles and started to lose power. Turned out the REG/RECT I put on was only a rectifier and being the Honda has an excited field which was not connected I lost battery pretty quick. Got that corrected and again it started to lose power like running out of gas. Opened the gas cap and it started, found a small piece of felt plugging the vent.

Good luck with your search.
Click to expand...

Only a couple of loose ends to resolve/finish. Getting close. I'll keep the diaphragm in mind...all 4 looked fine, albeit old, when reassembling. Thanks.
 
Nessism said:
Your bike looks great. Good job!

Be sure to retorque the cylinder head nuts after a few heat cycles. I used Athena gaskets, with a green base gasket, one time, but the head nut torque kept falling off each time I checked. After about the third retorque I noticed the base gasket extruding out between the barrel and the case. Mind you, this was about 10 years ago, so hopefully, the gaskets have been improved since then.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice!
 
Nessism said:
I've owned both! :cool:
Click to expand...

To those who've asked, under the cover is an '84 RX-7 GSL. Rock solid and rust-free in all of the typical trouble spots. I got out of the RX-7 game several years ago, then I happened across this one a couple of years ago and couldn't pass it up, based on it being rust-free. Need to rebuild the engine which smokes a little much and refresh/upgrade the suspension. Debating whether to repaint it since the PO painted it a solid black, but it needs some cosmetic corrections and I'd prefer it to be the original Brilliant Black metallic. Gray interior. This car is a summer of '23 project - have to get the bike and another project car, a '40 Buick coupe, up to snuff, this summer. Slowly putting together an eclectic collection.
 
GS1100GZ said:
You do nice work. She looks beautiful. I wish that I had the time and space.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I wish I had more space and my wife wishes that I'd use less of the space that we have. She has to shoehorn her SUV into the garage and I hear about it fairly often. I'm also in the doghouse because I spent much of the summer focused on the bike and car, instead of working on house projects and other honey-do tasks.
 
93Bandit said:
I'm about an hour east of you in Mundy Twp. Would love to meet up this spring and check out the bike!
Click to expand...

Yes, looks like exactly 1 hour away. I might be up for that, although I'd been wondering how much time I might actually have to ride this summer. Still need to sort out lost title replacement, registration, etc. and dial it in so that I trust taking it any significant distance. Maybe it won't take as long as I'm imagining. We'll see how it goes and I'll keep it in mind. Thanks.
 
XLNDRVR said:
To those who've asked, under the cover is an '84 RX-7 GSL. Rock solid and rust-free in all of the typical trouble spots. I got out of the RX-7 game several years ago, then I happened across this one a couple of years ago and couldn't pass it up, based on it being rust-free. Need to rebuild the engine which smokes a little much and refresh/upgrade the suspension. Debating whether to repaint it since the PO painted it a solid black, but it needs some cosmetic corrections and I'd prefer it to be the original Brilliant Black metallic. Gray interior. This car is a summer of '23 project - have to get the bike and another project car, a '40 Buick coupe, up to snuff, this summer. Slowly putting together an eclectic collection.
Click to expand...

I thought it had the RX-7 front nose shape.
Oh wow, another Buick guy? I love Buicks! The 40 coupes are great looking automobiles. My dad and I have a few '59s.

XLNDRVR said:
Yes, looks like exactly 1 hour away. I might be up for that, although I'd been wondering how much time I might actually have to ride this summer. Still need to sort out lost title replacement, registration, etc. and dial it in so that I trust taking it any significant distance. Maybe it won't take as long as I'm imagining. We'll see how it goes and I'll keep it in mind. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, let me know how it goes. I wouldn't be opposed to riding out to you, I finally got my 83 850 road trip worthy and have been looking for an excuse to spend a day on it. Riding out west would satisfy that desire.
 
Well, I finally found the time to sort out the carb issue that I posted about in post 24 and was able to take the bike for a test spin. I found that a carb air circuit (see pic) was plugged. Had to physically clean it out. Now it runs like top!

I really only have a few items to address for now: balance the carbs, swap out the LARGE dash for a simple round combo analog RPM/digital speedo gage, and install a round headlight in place of the square light and shroud. Personal preferences. Have all of the parts, need to tackle the wiring, next.

Problem circuit...
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Well, I'm calling it done enough for now.

Finished the cluster and headlight conversion. Made jumper harnesses and didn't cut one stock wire, so its easily reversible, if needed.

Using the gear indicator for an oil pressure dummy light since we have no stock gear indicator and this gauge has no oil pressure light.

Headlight assembly is from a 650. Initially, I started piecing together the larger GS1100 train headlight to use, but those parts or a whole unit are pricey and hard to find.

One little irritation is that I cannot find a new SUZUKI emblem for the handlebar clamp plate.

Going to buy helmet, jacket, and gloves this afternoon!

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