GL1100 mileage, jets, rpm

1879 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by BOATCAT, Jul 20, 2013

negold

Discussion Starter · Aug 13, 2005

81 GW GL1100 STD

Does anyone have an idea of the mileage I should get.

This bike has 145 main jets is this correct.

Is 4800 rpm for 65mph normal

The bike has plenty of power and getting 30 mpg but idles rough has 37k

ordered new timming belts and plugwires alreadyreplaced plugs rebuilt carbs and balanced also ajusted valves

The bike had been sitting out side for three years not running when purchased about a month ago

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johnmac

· #2 · Aug 13, 2005

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First off, Welcome to the forum, negold! Redwing will be by later to give a big welcome.
Are you sure you are in 5th gear? Sounds like 4th gear rpm / speed.
I'm not sure about the jet size, but if you check in a Clymer manual, BE CAREFULL! It had some errors in the jet size listings.

negold

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 13, 2005

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5th yes

when i rebuilt the carbs they had 145 mains and the kit had both 140&145 put 145 back in

AZWinger

· #4 · Aug 13, 2005

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My 83 Aspencade runs right at 3700 at 70mph. I know the earlier wings were geared a little lower so yours may be right.

Have you checked the speedo for accuracy? Most are off anywhere from 2%-10%.

I average 36.5 mpg. Most of my riding is at 60-75mph. I think I amon the low side of average for gas mileage. Some get upwards of 45mpg. Some are in the low 30's.

I don't know about the jets.

Bob :11grey:

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negold

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 13, 2005

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I think it is about 2mph off to the pluss

AZWinger

· #6 · Aug 13, 2005

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negold wrote:

I think it is about 2mph off to the pluss

Thats pretty close!

Welcome to the forum negold! :waving:

twisty

· #7 · Aug 13, 2005

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negold wrote:

81 GW GL1100 STD

Does anyone have an idea of the mileage I should get.

This bike has 145 main jets is this correct.

Is 4800 rpm for 65mph normal

The bike has plenty of power and getting 30 mpg but idles rough has 37k

ordered new timming belts and plugwires alreadyreplaced plugs rebuilt carbs and balanced also ajusted valves

Negold, I can't tell you what main jets you are supposed to have but even if you find the original build spec they could have been changed as well as the needles that ride in them due to Honda's running changes or to cure a power problem..

In any case your main jets aren't your mileage problem as they have very little effect on common operation fuel economy. If you ride at 3/4 (or more) throttle position for normal riding they will then start to effect your economy. For most NORMAL riding your fuel side economy is derived from; first pilot jet needle setting as you are riding on the pilot jets mostly at low throttle opening, next followed by the slide needle's large diameter shank size and or needle jet size. Needle position in the slidecan also have an effect in the transfer area but I believe those needles have a fixed position in the slides.

Running with your choke on can really show in your fuel mileage,, lugging that free revving engine can also lower fuel mileage,, large windshields can have a pronounced effect at hi-way speeds,, riding at over 65 MPH can also lower your mileage substantially.

Places to look if nothing obvious found-

Look for higher than spec carb float levels..

Look for unbalanced carbs..

Look for plugged, partially plugged, or lazy air cut-off system (this is a real biggy as far as poor mileage goes)..

Look for a plugging air cleaner..

Look for low voltage to the ign coils (it happens).

Look for dragging front or rear brakes (quite common on older bikes)..

Check the ign timing & spark advance as a late spark, or lazy vacuum advance can play havoc with your MPG.. (lazy advance is somewhat common to find on those early bikes)..

Make sure the fuel you use is without alcohol.. (high alcohol content in the fuel for older bikes really changes the fuel mileage)..

Twisty

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77GL1

· #8 · Aug 13, 2005

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I think I read that the gearing was higher/lower on the 1100...and aparently so. I'm doing 70 @ 4000rpms, and 46mpg @ 60mph., but going over 65 reduces the mileage in a hurry. I get about 37 in the city. Twisty has some good suggestions.

Redwing

· #9 · Aug 13, 2005

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Hey negold :waving:A thousand welcomes to the greatest Goldwing Forum on the net. :clapper:Good luck with your new :11red:and many safe (s)miles. :dance:

:weightlifter::18red::weightlifter:

negold

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 13, 2005

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Thank to all for the welcome and help

GLester

· #11 · Aug 14, 2005

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4800 rpm is a little high for a 81. My 81 only does 4500 At almost 70 mph. Either you got the rear of a 1000, or your speedo is way off. If your speedo is off, your caculations for mileage will be off. As far as your carb jets, I haven't torn mine down, so I don't know, and my clymer manual doesn't show the size. The rough idle could be caused by leaky air valves or maybe a leak in the vacum system. I'm getting about 41 mpg on the highway and God only knows when the last time this was tuned up, but it runs good and smooth. Good luck.

Gene:waving::11red::11red::11red::cooler:

negold

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 14, 2005

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thank you I was begining to wonder if some one changed the final drive out now I will check the ratio verse the book

twisty

· #13 · Aug 14, 2005

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negold wrote:

thank you I was begining to wonder if some one changed the final drive out now I will check the ratio verse the book

Negold, the 1100 useda few different (overall) drive ratios depending on the year.

see chart--

Twisty

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Sprintman

· #14 · Jul 19, 2013

Took my 82 Aspencade around Lake Superior. 1600 miles at 55 mph and I averaged 48 mpg. The last leg on the freeway from Duluth to Twin Cities I averaged 70 mph around 4000 RPM in pouring rain and still got 45. Before the trip, I had my carbs rebuilt and balanced by Pistol Petes Services and the bike rides smooth and quiet. My riding partners rode modern VTX1800s and got 38-39 mpg.

BOATCAT

· #15 · Jul 20, 2013 (Edited)

Pilot Screw Settings 84 Aspencade

Hi;
Anyone know the trick to a leaner setting on the pilot screws?
The manual says to set them to 1 1/2 turns out for high elevations. Is this rich or lean? I know; dumb question...
I have mine set at 4 turns out and since replacing my air filter the mileage has gone way down from 45-50 mpg at 60-65mph.
Carbs cleaned, sync, new plugs and air filter.

DriverRider

· #16 · Jul 20, 2013

BOATCAT said:
Hi;
Anyone know the trick to a leaner setting on the pilot screws?
The manual says to set them to 1 1/2 turns out for high elevations. Is this rich or lean? I know; dumb question...
I have mine set at 4 turns out and since replacing my air filter the mileage has gone way down from 45-50 mpg at 60-65mph.
Carbs cleaned, syn, new plugs and air filter.

Turning screws in would be leaner, no trick. High altitude would need a leaner setting and 1 1/2 sounds about right.

So yours have always been 4 turns and since replacing filter mileage has tanked. Are you in the mountains somewhere.

BOATCAT

· #17 · Jul 20, 2013 (Edited)

Not High...

DriverRider said:
Turning screws in would be leaner, no trick. High altitude would need a leaner setting and 1 1/2 sounds about right.

So yours have always been 4 turns and since replacing filter mileage has tanked. Are you in the mountains somewhere.

I am within sight of Lake Huron in Michigan. Elev about 600 ft. above Sea level, so normal conditions. Checked the plugs, they are darker than I like, so will go back to 3 turns and check the plugs again after 500 miles.
Bought a cheap aftermarket filter off eBay, it's poor quality, never again.
Think I will look for a K&N. What do you use, any suggestions?

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