I just got a New to me GL1200I

[Granpah]

Congrats!

You and I have the same great year and model bike (46K on my clock).

I'd rebuild and tune the carbs, and change the spark plugs for Iridium plugs. If rebuilding the carbs is not yet on your menu, buy Randakk's step-by-step DVD showing how it's done. According to Randall Washington (aka Randakk), this can be done in a couple-three hours. Also, replace the timing belts. If a guy drives his bike on starter fluid, who knows when the timing belts are ready to give out???!!! hock: hock: hock:

Good luck, and stay safe.

[paradise97402]

yep, those are already done..that was in the first round along with timing belts and another of the big list things..but yea I am lookign forward to getting it to the end of the project..and then I can mothball the Yamaha, and just use it for more local, short mile rides.
I have been to Randakks site..I ordered a oil filter adapter from him..but I got my carb parts from Saber.
I have repaired a few Goldwings, the 1100, 1200 and a few 1500's but I like the style of the 1200, and I don't care for the 1000's they seem to be either verry well taken care of or not at all..I am a fan of Craig Vetters stuff..but it is what I have on the Yamaha so I have my old school feel with that.
My goal is to get a core motor and rebuild that while I enjoy the the bike..then just change the motor over the winter..but not at that point yet. Once I get the bike to a newer state I am going to plan a 4 month trip..and go see the sights, so thats where the fresh motor comes in. its worth it to me to not have that worry out there..and just do it while it is in the shop (and do the Alt coversion). right now I have one stall with the goldwing, and the other is doing nothing else but witerizing bikes..By the end of Nov, that will slow down..and then it is just my projects that are on the scheldule
But it is great to see what problems others have run into..its almost like having every issue that can happen happen..so thats goign to help alot.
But I changed to Irridium plugs a while ago, with the vintage stuff that I work on, they have held up well.
But the stuff from J&M showed up today! so while the fairing is off..I can get that in.

[Granpah]

right now I have one stall with the goldwing, and the other is doing nothing else but witerizing bikes..By the end of Nov, that will slow down..and then it is just my projects that are on the schedule
But it is great to see what problems others have run into..its almost like having every issue that can happen happen..so thats goign to help alot.
But I changed to Iridium plugs a while ago, with the vintage stuff that I work on, they have held up well.
But the stuff from J&M showed up today! so while the fairing is off..I can get that in.

It's been discussed a lot here already ... but if you haven't already considered it ... I experimented with and then changed:
the oil in my crankcase to Amsoil 20W-50 and rear gear compartment to high performance Synthetic Gear Lube 80W-90 (claimed by Amsoil to be stable for up to 500,000+ miles!).
and changed the coolant to water-free Evans NPG+, that keeps your engine warm in winter and cool in summer -- with practically no extra internal pressure on the cooling system's pumps and hoses while the engine is running as compared to the water-based coolants.
[If you think Evans NPG+ is "too expensive" [$40/gallon] then consider this: nowadays there's no escape from when you buy anti-freeze, [example: Prestone 50/50 @ $15/gallon (1/2 water) = $15/gallon for water! and $15/gallon for ethylene glycol fully 1/2 of the content of the coolant is water. The other half is cheap and toxic ethylene glycol ... plus silicate "stabilizers" which can eat up your water pump.] That's very expensive, slightly impure water. All in all, Evans NPG+ practically costs about $10/gallon more than Prestone, doesn't eat your cooling system, and essentially lasts forever.

Ever since the above changes, my GL1200 has been a very happy bike :d

[I CHECKED IT OUT: All of the above fluids are preferred by race car drivers, but especially private airplane owners who feel happiest when their engines keep running while they're up in the air flying. :mrgreen: ]

____________________________________________________
After running my GL1200 on the above fluids and Iridium plugs for a year, I switched the fluids and plugs on both my 1991 and 1992 Volvo 240 wagons, and 1998 Volvo V70 wagon .... and noticeably improved performance on all three!

[paradise97402]

Well an update..just about everythign is done now..got the new muffler on and the harley pipes off..I like the sound of the stock muffler, so that a nice change for me.
But I also ordered the turn signal conversion lights for the trunk, I did the coversion for the turn lights on the saddle bags, and ordered the lights that replace he reflectors on th esaddle bags and rear center one, also got the LED lights that replace the reflectors on the fairing. Also got a left antenna bracket so I can add an antenna for the stereo. I changed out the passenger foot rest from the rusty chrome to a aluminum set from an Aspencade. and got new chrome clutch and brake levers to replace the broken one.
but the carbs are tuned and sync'd and it runs great..alittle bit of noise from the right valve cover, but it has sat for a while..so I think that might solve itself with some runnign time.
But I also got a tank rack, I use a Tour Master tank bag..and it will fit that pretty nice.
but all the flashy chrome parts are on and to me it looks great! still looking for the GoldWing emblem for the side cover..but its not a part that will affect the running.
but this week I am making a hitch for it so it will be ready to pull the trailer next season.
Thank everyone for all the help within some of the questions and answers and the tech boards.
Although it kills me to see so many bike get killed on ebay it is nice to have the parts..I just keep telling myself that they were all wrecked (some were pretty nice, I'm not one that could ever do that to a bike I guess)
But I want to keep this running until 2014 then I am goign to take the motor out and turn the clock back with a motor rebuild, so I will take step by step photos when I do that so those that want to do thiers will have that reference.
And the rear brake pressure loss was air in the lines to the front..I isntalled speed bleeders to every place on th ecalipers as well as th eclutch, makes it easy to change fluid and bleed the systems by your self.

[SIR tricky]

Do not place too much weight on the trunk lid.

Use these to reduce the stress on the trunk, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/101/427">http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/101/427</a><!-- m -->

[paradise97402]

I have a bunch of those on thier way..I am replacing the ones on the trunk rack, saddle bag racks and also going to use those on the new tank rack ( had to much broken plastic from small washers on the bottom of th etrunk and behind the back rest), also have some lid keepers for the saddle bag and some lid stays for the trunk, my yamaha has them so the lid wont go all the way over when opened.

[BlkMage]

1978 Yamaha XS750E

I'm a bit new myself, but welcome. Per my signature, I'm a fan of the old Yamahas myself, even though they are older than me. Good luck with all of the work, I was lucky enough to get my 1200 in great shape, just doing a few things over the winter (oils, spark plugs, timing belts, coolant) to keep her going strong. If you drop into the area, my coworker with a GL1100 and I would love a third in our small squadron.

[firstwing85]

1978 Yamaha XS750E

I'm a bit new myself, but welcome. Per my signature, I'm a fan of the old Yamahas myself, even though they are older than me. Good luck with all of the work, I was lucky enough to get my 1200 in great shape, just doing a few things over the winter (oils, spark plugs, timing belts, coolant) to keep her going strong. If you drop into the area, my coworker with a GL1100 and I would love a third in our small squadron.

you named your bike the same name as my GF's horse, her horse is a beautiful and strong Mayer,
Deb went horseback camping a while ago and when she came back she said "there is no way I'm selling Raven" :d :d
maybe we can make it to your area sometime and go for a ride.. :YMAPPLAUSE: :YMAPPLAUSE:

[Granpah]

PROTECT THOSE LIDS AND COVERS

In case you haven't seen the Seeking the most expensive part ever thread here yet, you may as well add relatively low cost tethers called Rudy's Lid Keepers to avoid losing those unbelievably expensive plastic covers.

[BlkMage]

1978 Yamaha XS750E

I'm a bit new myself, but welcome. Per my signature, I'm a fan of the old Yamahas myself, even though they are older than me. Good luck with all of the work, I was lucky enough to get my 1200 in great shape, just doing a few things over the winter (oils, spark plugs, timing belts, coolant) to keep her going strong. If you drop into the area, my coworker with a GL1100 and I would love a third in our small squadron.

you named your bike the same name as my GF's horse, her horse is a beautiful and strong Mayer,
Deb went horseback camping a while ago and when she came back she said "there is no way I'm selling Raven" :d :d
maybe we can make it to your area sometime and go for a ride.. :YMAPPLAUSE: :YMAPPLAUSE:

Interesting, though my naming was more based on the dark paint color and the fact that I am a fan of Edgar Allen Poe.

[paradise97402]

The bike is 100% complete..thank you to all that helped with the answers..
it is all set for the 2012 season.

[paradise97402]

Well the weather broke enough to take the bike out for a ride..and its the first one since all the work got done...what an amazing machine!
the ride is great, the power is nice..and it is just a all around perfect bike..
Only issue I had was the bad roads we have around here..hit a pot hole and it was so bad it knocked one of the chrome mirror backs off..DANG!
But I sent an email to our local county asking where to send the bill, so I will let you know how that goes?
But I have another 85 motor that is in the tear down stage..and I am going to go ahead and go through it..with a spare motor ready to go..I will own this bike for th erest of my days..I am even thinking of selling the Yamaha.

[Granpah]

conga-rats !



GREAT that you have your new Wing moving. Pretty amazing machine, isn't it?

Sounds like your bumpy roads need your front and rear shocks air pressure to be maxed: 6 PSI front and 57 PSI rear (according to the Honda GW shop manual).

Have a lot of fun .... and ride safe!

[paradise97402]

Not sure if you have heard about Bike Sponsors.com? They offer sponsorship programs to motorcycle owners..and it is not just for people who race..it is a great program and easy to work with.
this is a short video of what I do when I receive a product from them.
You chose the products, and where they come from.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://youtu.be/AsGjPWxsD7A">http://youtu.be/AsGjPWxsD7A</a><!-- m -->

[paradise97402]

Hey not sure if anyone else is doing the Bike Sponsor program or have even heard of it..but I have to get views for the videos that you make promoting the items you get..so if you have a spare min and want to watch it..

And if you want to know more about it...let me know.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://youtu.be/TX6_IA6RE2g">http://youtu.be/TX6_IA6RE2g</a><!-- m -->