Old member, just new to here

[Frank]

Hi, Names Frank. Just thought I'd drop in, say hello. I just purchased a 1985 Aspencade. 115K on the clock. I for sure know that it needs a new head gasket and I'm in the process of trying to figure out what else. I'm a moderator on one site and a heavy contributor on another but I will admit that my area of limited expertise is in the in-line 4 DOHC Honda. This is my first time to delve into one of these motors so right now I'm spending most of my time reading the service manual, getting an overall feel for how they are put together and their operation. I'm sure at some point and time I'll get stumped but I'm not too bad at using a search function. Looks like a nice site with a lot of good information.

I hope I have all the stuff filled in right. If I missed something let me know and I'll try to fix it.

[Guest]

Welcome from Vermont!! You are at the best 1200 Goldwing site on the Web!! Great info and People here!!!!

[SIR tricky]

And of course the best color

[Fire1386]

Hello and welcome from Ohio!

[wpd210]

Welcome from East Texas.

[bluewing]

Welcome to the site from Baltimore Ontario. Ihis is a great site and lots of good info. By the way, I like the color of your bike.

[neoracer]

welcome from mid md/pa area

just let us know when u need something,if its not available here the info is probably stashed on some members computer

[Frank]

Thanks for the welcomes guys.

Oh I'm sure I will need some help and clarification on some things when I get further into it but I'm in no rush to get it done (if there is such a thing, ha) I've got three other bikes all running so it's not like it has to be done by summer. I'm kinda anal when it comes to stuff like this. I don't mean it has to look like new but I do like to know that everything is in as good of condition as I can afford and my abilities will allow, so I'll go through everything and check it out.

The picture really doesn't do it justice, it looks worse \:d/ but as far as I can tell all the stuff is there and in reasonably good shape. I mean really? What can a guy expect for a $500.00 running bike. :d

[Sgt Dave]

Hello Frank, and welcome from Georgia.

$500 and it is running? WOW sounds like a real bargin...hope we can help you fix her up.

[Frank]

Thanks Dave, Oh I'm sure that ya'll will be a lot of help. So far the only progress I've made is to get the seat, bags and tank access off. I'm working at the Fairing but it makes me scratch my head a lot. I'm hoping that the only major mechanicals that I have to do are to replace both head gaskets, clean up all the carbon on the pistons and heads, lap the valves, replace the valve seals and install new timing belts. I may as well go ahead and overhaul the carbs while I have it broken down and everything off too. I already have a thousand and one questions and I'm reading as fast as I can (I wish they would have written slower when they wrote that book!) The PO used that damn red silicone on one of the valve covers so that has me concerned. Boogers of that stuff are bad about breaking off and making it to the oil pickup screen so I know for my piece of mind I'm gonna have to check that out too. I haven't gotten that far yet in the manual but I'm hoping I can remove the pan? and access the screen with the motor in place? I'm not at the point where I want to ask any real questions since I know how places like this can be. I can end up with information overload real fast and with out a good read through of the FSM first it can get confusing. I have done some searching for complete upper gasket sets and it has kinda surprised me that I don't see that much as far as availability. I'm hoping that at least OEM is still readily available. I've got a long ways to go but I've found the best way to get there is to just put one foot in front of the other

[Guest]

Frank, Welcome from So. Cal.
Great find.
Good plan, good attitude.
The 5 P's...Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance. O.K. maybe 6.
Good luck.

[Roleketu]

Welcome from Massachusetts. Plenty of information on this site for just about any project you can do to the GL1200. Read up on them, many great suggestions what else to do while you in a certain area. And many neat upgrades that the manual won't tell you. If you're really into projects and want one of the best upgrades for your Wing, check out the Poorboy external alternator upgrade.

[detdrbuzzard]

hello frank , welcome to the forum. glad you checked in on the board i learned the most about my 1200

[Frank]

I figured I better. I hate getting caught peeking through the window!

[joe turner]

Welcome Frank, honda head gaskets are recommended be sure to use moly 60 on head bolts before you torque them.