GL1100 engine frozen

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For it to just lockup like that, did you have a timing belt break?
Or maybe a carb leaked down, and now you have hydraulic lock?
Or maybe the starter just quit.

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Timing belts are brand new. Starter is new also.As for hydraulic lock, how would I check for this?

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pull the plugs

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Pull the plugs out, turn the kill switch to the off position adn try to crank the motor by hand, be prepared for fuel to spray out of the spark plug ports.

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I tried this and it worked! I can now at least turn the bike over. Is there anything I do next?

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I am going to change the oil because I fear it probably got contaminated by gas seeping past the rings. I will also replace the plugs and check all the plug wires. Is there anything else I need to do?

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Possible stuck float(s) in the carb let gas leak into the cylinders? Just a guess...Someone with far more knowledge will drop in soon to help I'm sure.

Hang in there! It may take awhile, but when she's running right, you'll know it was all worth it!!!

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As daveman suggested you have a stuck float(s) or dirt in the needle valve, which gives the same problem. The only way I know to fix this is removing and cleaning all the carbs. It would be difficult to isolate the leaky carb but it could be done, but if it's dirt causing the trouble then there would be dirt in all 4, so better safe than sorry. It's alot easier to Best of luck.

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Probably one or more leaking float valves.
I had that happen on my '83 before carb overhaul. Checked my oil level and wasn't high so I did not change the oil. Small amount will evaporate from the oil. Use the Fuel Petcock to turn the fuel off to the carbs until you get it fixed.

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To all: Thanks! I just did a complete carb overhaul with the Randakk kit and Howard Halasz's book. The floats are spot on and all the jets are clean. The gas tank was full, and I left the petcock on, I'm thinking gravity may have been enough to force gas through the carbs.

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Perfect float valves won't let gas through when the bike is sitting. Unfortunately perfect float valves are few and far between. A piece of grit getting into the carb can cause leaking too. The reason the petcock is on the tank is so the fuel can be shut off when the engine is stopped. You should ALWAYS shut the fuel off when you turn the key off to avoid this kind of problem in the future. Honda put an automatic petcock on the 1500 to prevent this. It's a vacuum operated valve. The 1800s and 1200LTD/SEI don't need 'em because they have fuel injection, but all the others need to have the valve turned off. Any fuel system where the tank is above the carbs needs a shut off valve. Change the oil and keep the valve shut, that's all you need to do.

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If gas is passing through the carbs , there is trouble somewhere in a carb. The petcock is just a safety and a mechanical aid to keep from draining the fuel tanks when working on the fuel/carb system. It takes only a spec of dirt to stick a valve open and cause a world of grief. I suggest leaving the petcock valve open again for a day and see if it happens again. You may very well have fixed it with the overhall but it would be good to know if you got the trouble fixed for sure. JMO

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Thanks. I was pretty thorough on my rebuild, but I guess it's possible a piece of grit got missed and worked its way through to the float valve. I can always pull the carbs again and reclean if the problem happens again.

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To all; I tried Dust79's suggestion, and left the petcock on. I went back out, hit the kill switch, pulled the plugs, and cranked the engine. Fuel shot out of #3. I think I determined which float is sticking or has a clogged needle jet. I am going to pull the rack and CAREFULLY check floats, as well as clean the needle jets and blow them out with compressed air. Hopefully this will solve the problem. At least it's not as dire as I originally thought. I'm learning a lot on this forum! Thanks for all your wisdom.

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I am guessing.... just a shot in the dark.... but my money is one #3..... just a guess

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the replies about shutting off the fuel valve are dead on. my sig picture is what happens if you try to push start a locked engine!!

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Wow! Not pretty!