Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums banner
Cancel

1982 GL1100 Idling issue

972 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  jgittings, 
J
Hi Everyone, I am new to this site, but have been loving reading all of the tech tips. I have a 1982 GL1100, my first time owning a goldwing. However I am having some problems with it, that I am hoping maybe someone could help me with.

I am having a serious idling issue. Sometimes, it will drop in rpm's and die, while going around the corner, or go the opposite way, and as soon as I pull in the clutch, it will sky to 5000+ rpm's. There is no consistency whether the bike is cold or warmed up, it is just completely random. Also whenever I am in 1st or 2nd, and just puttering through the neighborhood heading home (or whereever I am going slower). It lunges forward with random bursts of power. I am LOVING the size of the bike, the long distance comfort and all of that. It is my daily driver, but it seems like I am constantly 'fighting' the throttle to keep it alive, or feel like a jerk and flooring my throttle at stop lights.. Does that make sense? Any help, or things to check? Thanks a lot everyone!
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
wda-83wing
a shot in the dark here , but have you checked your coils? or for loose connections ?
Save
Like
SCB
The fact that it's changing rpms when turning makes me wonder if you have some throttle cable routing issues. I would idle the bike in neutral and turn the wheel full left and right, and see if the rpms change accordingly. If not, you've likely got other carb issues and there are some real gurus here that should be able to walk you through diagnosing and fixing it.

Best wishes,
Steve
Save
Like
wda-83wing
SCB said:
The fact that it's changing rpms when turning makes me wonder if you have some throttle cable routing issues. I would idle the bike in neutral and turn the wheel full left and right, and see if the rpms change accordingly. If not, you've likely got other carb issues and there are some real gurus here that should be able to walk you through diagnosing and fixing it.

Best wishes,
Steve
Click to expand...
scb
good catch on the cable routeing.
Save
Like
J
I checked turing my wheel full to each side, however that did not change anything, more then just the idling while in neutral. It was all over the place again.

I am not sure how to check the coil. When I first got the bike, and when it was idling weird like this. I thought maybe I just had a dead cylinder, so I put new spark plugs and wires on it. That did give me more power during acceleration, however did not affect the idling issue.
Save
Like
wda-83wing
a spray bottle and wet them down with engine running that will show if there is any creaks in your coils. or , take them off and look for creaks in the coil houseing.
Save
Like
Cornpone
Interesting that you folks are thinking coils. My first thought was a vacuum leak, given the intermittent nature of the described symptoms. I'll be interested to see where this goes.....:popcorn:
Save
Like
wda-83wing
:popcorn: me too :popcorn:
Save
Like
glhonda
jgittings said:
I checked turing my wheel full to each side, however that did not change anything, more then just the idling while in neutral. It was all over the place again.
Click to expand...
I don't understand. Did it change the idling in neutral, or not.
Or does the idle just randomly change without touching the bars?
Save
Like
J
The idling changes without touching the throttle. I really appreciate all of your advise. I will keep trying stuff

If i do twist the throttle and let it go the idling speed will jump up and stay revved pretty high for awhile
Save
Like
J
I did not find any issues with the coils. Could this be a carb syncing issue?
Save
Like
Cornpone
jgittings said:
The idling changes without touching the throttle. I really appreciate all of your advise. I will keep trying stuff

If i do twist the throttle and let it go the idling speed will jump up and stay revved pretty high for awhile
Click to expand...
Does it snap back to idle position or move there slowly? If slowly your throttle cable may be dry or kinked or done. Or something is dragging on the throttle grip, like a clip-type cruise control that's too close/tight.

Anyway, this would not cause the weird idle up and down, but a vacuum leak would. I'd start with the large O-rings at the bottom of the intake elbows. If they're original, they're flat and don't seal for sh#t and need to be replaced. And that's all I have to say about this.
Save
Like
JeffMayfield
How about shutting off the fuel at the petcock while driving until you stall and turn the gas back on just don't pull the clutch in or you'll need to stop to restart. On second thought don't drain the float bowls while driving unless you can do it without looking for the petcock.
Sea foam in the gas and lots of (maybe 10oz to a full tank of) TC-W3. TC-W3 can be used every tank usually just 1-2oz per tank.

I think you have a sticky (insert name here) The thing that raises and lowers the main jet using vacuum to move. The 2 cycle oil marked TC-W3 or mystery oil in the gas should help if I'm right:? and the only way to fix it will be to rebuild the carbs cleaning everything well.

You should be sure the throttle cables are moving smoothly. inspect by turning the throttle while the bike is off and watching the carb linkage move smoothly or not.

Wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filter. Could be failing coils. :popcorn: Keep us posted :popcorn:
See less See more
Save
Like
J
I have been told by a few people to try the sea foam. So I will try that. I was messing around with looking for air leaks, vacuum leaks and such last night and I think I may have made my problem worse. HA.. Although I am enjoying getting to know my bike better and learning these things now. If I didnt keep the rpm's up while driving this morning it would stall out everytime. Although no more lunging.
I do have a mechanical cruise control, and when I pull on the throttle it has started squeaking a little recently, so maybe the cable is dry.
I will keep at it. Thank you everyone
Save
Like
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums
A forum community dedicated to Honda Gold Wing owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Goldwing Technical Forum General Motorcycle Discussion Forum New Members Introduction Forum For Sale/Wanted Forum Events
Top