1100 goldwing crapping out

imported post

That kind of problem sounds like it has to be ignition. My 83 would crap out at very high RPMs when I first got her. The problem got progressively worse as it started happening at lower RPMs. It turned out to be one of the coils. I would say to begin test the resistance in the primary and secondary circuits in the coils. I'll bet the problem is in the secondary on one of the coils.

imported post

My first suspicion would be the pulser coils then the ignition coils.

imported post

Sounds electronic to me too. I had a CB550 that needed the plugs changed every 5 or 6 hundred miles or it would do just what your 11 is doing. Nipondensu "Hot-U" plugs solved the problem.

Odd, but those plugs didn't work well in any other bike. :baffled:

imported post

As to 1100 crapping out, I've been there we (my wife and I) ride a '83 1100A with 126.000 plus on the ode. We have been from Fairbanks/Anchorage AK to Key West FL. the Gaspe Penn, in east Canada to The tip of Baja, Cabo San Lucas Mex. and all points between. Few years ago we were about to trash the bike cause it was doing about what you describe. Friend said Nah. just run a couple bottles of CHEVRON TECHRONthrough the system. Bike runs like new and gets around 43mpg. Don't use substitustesl. Benthar...

imported post

hi and thx for the reply where are the pulser coils??

imported post

As the coils heat up, the windings inside expand & something may break it's connection. This has all the symptions of the vehicle running out of gas. I would start looking at the ignition coils first.

imported post

exavid wrote:

My first suspicion would be the pulser coils then the ignition coils.

Click to expand...

exavid

i am with you on this one. check them first. then go to the coils. my 2 cents.

imported post

Don't forget to check your gas cap. Run with cap loose and see of problem is still there. Could also be a ground problem. Check the main ground cable at the engine side. I suspect the pulsers also.

imported post

You didn't mention replacing the fuel filter,,,has this been done??

imported post

Another issue could be float levels. I did a full Randakk rebuild and carb synch on my 1100 only to have it bog badly at WOT or on hills. Turns out one of the floats was way off, causing a stutter.

But...chemicals are MUCH cheaper than yanking that $*%&# carb rack off, so I'd start there. Techron and Seafoam that sucker!

imported post

I also have a GL1100 I am trying to get running well. I'm curious about the mention/warning of a "whoosh" sound if you remove/loosen the gas cap. What does that indicate?

imported post

The pulser coils are in the back of the engine in the housing that the vacuum advance is attached to. You might try heating that area with a hair dryer long enough to get the housing hot to the touch without running the engine then try starting it to see if it acts up before it warms up. One other check that might show up something would be to run the bike while it's acting up and then shut down and pull out the spark plugs. You might be able to determine which pair of plugs are misfiring. Since the two front cylinders are fired by one spark coil, one igniter unit section (or one igniter unit depending on year) and one pickup up coil and the rear two cylinders by the other coil and components it should be possible to determine which part of the system is failing.

imported post

col_freecycle wrote:

I also have a GL1100 I am trying to get running well. I'm curious about the mention/warning of a "whoosh" sound if you remove/loosen the gas cap. What does that indicate?

Click to expand...

Means your vent on the cap is plugged and the tank is under vacuum. This will cause it to starve for fuel and cause the described symptoms.

imported post

Can you tell me where a GL1100 gas cap should vent from? I'd like to check mine and if needed clean it out. Is there a vent in the cap?

imported post

hi the cap vents thru the 2 small openings on the cap itself. push down on the springs and make sure that they aren't rusted shut.you can also blow air thru one of the opening holes and feel if there is air coming from the other opposite vent hole.