[JeffMayfield]

GL1200I 1986

I have seen no visible leaks the water is going into the overflow but not being pulled back into the radiator.

I replaced both head gaskets 743 miles ago. I did not replace the oil orifice O-rings. I've been thinking about that a lot lately.

I've also been hoping the little bit of smoke I see shortly after a cold or cool start is oil or something not water. But there is no point in denying the fact she blew white smoke rings when I started her a little while ago.

The smoke rings are a neat party trick, but I don't like them myself.
No oil in the water.
No water in the oil.
Pushing water into overflow not refilling radiator.

If ya'll think this is the gaskets could you give me some links the best value on the parts I will need?

Also any advice would be a appreciated. maybe a link to a tutorial.

Thanks ya'll have been great I used to talk to my step Dad about this stuff but he died so I don't have that anymore.

Let me know what ya'll think.

 

[JeffMayfield]

start with the small stuff. have you checked your radiator cap? if the bike is not loosing fluid and wont pull from the over flow i'd start there.

New cap Friday.

 

[JeffMayfield]

It's tough to keep up with your posts, Jeff. I thought we were getting close with the radiator thread. Seemed like it was taking a natural turn towards gaskets.
What did you use 743 miles ago? I don't think I've heard anything good about non-OEM head gaskets.

OEM head gasket from mother Honda some make a gasket on that oil orifice.

 

[JeffMayfield]

It's tough to keep up with your posts, Jeff. I thought we were getting close with the radiator thread. Seemed like it was taking a natural turn towards gaskets.
What did you use 743 miles ago? I don't think I've heard anything good about non-OEM head gaskets.

Your right the radiator tread is heading here. I just want my bike to be ready to ride next time I want to drive it. I had a great ride today I love riding I don't like waiting for parts or ordering them or putting them on. I think she looks good covered in splattered bugs not sitting in pieces.

 

[JeffMayfield]

I retorqued the heads Friday night. 2 or 3 moved some did both sides.

This is a bit of a story here it goes.

Previous owner took her the shop for a tune up replace spark plugs and such. They broke one of the spark plugs off and had to pull the head to get the rest out. Then they cross treaded one of the bolts but it ran fine. Some miles later I bought it. durung a heavy flood like rain I hit a lot of water in the road and it must have smoked but I couldn't see it in the rain but it started running ruff for a few miles before it got better (ran out of water) Drove it home seemed hot to me even though the gauge said otherwise I checked the radiator and it was empty. Added water and it wouldn't even turn over pulled the plugs and water came out. that was 743 miles ago.

 

[JeffMayfield]

Cross threaded WHAT bolt?

I think if I remember it was the right side 6mm #3 in the torque pattern I used healicoil (spelling) on it.

 

[JeffMayfield]

My order I hope this will do it. I didn't order the crush washers for the exhaust if I don't get a good seal I can probably get those at advanced auto. I'm not taking the rockers out so the end oil seals will stay in.

list has
2 head gaskets
2 of each of the oil orifice O-rings
4 o-rings for the carb intake I used make-a-gasket last time with the old o-ring
4 dowel pin some were sticky/out of shape last time

Mfg Product Number: 12251-MG9-306
Description: GASKET, CYL HD for 1986 Honda GL1200I
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $41.22
Total Cost: $82.44

Mfg Product Number: 91305-371-003
Description: O-RING (6.5X1.5) for 1986 Honda GL1200I
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $1.36
Total Cost: $2.72

Mfg Product Number: 91308-371-003
Description: O-RING (4.1X1.5) for 1986 Honda GL1200I
Order Quantity: 2
Unit Price: $2.78
Total Cost: $5.56

Mfg Product Number: 94301-12200
Description: PIN, DOWEL (12X20) for 1986 Honda GL1200I
Order Quantity: 4
Unit Price: $1.08
Total Cost: $4.32

Mfg Product Number: 91301-MG9-003
Description: O-RING (35.5X2.6) for 1987 Honda GL1200I
Order Quantity: 4
Unit Price: $2.37
Total Cost: $9.48

 

[JeffMayfield]

Good luck with that.
Those gaskets are pretty much motorcycle only.

Your probably right but at least I don't have to pull a lot off to get to them if they don't seal good enough.

 

[JeffMayfield]

Also ordered moly 60 Honda for the head bolts

 

[JeffMayfield]

I started her yesterday and let her run till the fan came on and when off then shut her off till today. took the cap off the rad still full (fixed small leak in the return hose and elbow connection last night) I could drive her except the rear tire has wire showing after the last ride.

so I started her today smokes more every time. maybe the moly 60 and the oil orifice o rings will make the head gasket seal this time. the smoke does clear but this is not good I'm going to pull the plugs I'll let ya'll know what I find.

I've read after market thermostats need a small hole drilled in the top side to let air out of the system.

 

[JeffMayfield]

pulled plugs and they looked ok one was a little rusty it and another where hard to get out and used penetrant oil till they would go back in.

cranked (switch off no sparks) with clean white rags in the holes left two made spots on the rag but that was the side I had to use penetrant to get plug out. I put it back together and let it smoke awhile. I'll try again after it cools. right side rag was dry.

I'd check compression but don't have the tool.

With the radiator hopefully staying full now I may be able to wait and see what the head gasket does. I can always keep the gasket I bought last night till I need it.

 

[JeffMayfield]

Are you sure the smoke is steam? The 4 bangers can smoke up a storm if the oil level is too high.
Every once in a while I read something here that makes me wonder if you actually have a problem...
...uh, I mean your bike.

Yah I've got to wonder myself if I've got a problem..... I mean the bike.
she's been on the center stand since Sunday.
The oil level is just above the top mark and this is how I checked it. unscrewed dip stick wipe it off then replace the dip stick without screwing it in and check the level.

Think I'll pull some oil out see if the smoke goes away.

thank you for all your feed back.

 

[JeffMayfield]

drained out half ounce up to maybe an ounce of the oil. now it is between the marks on center stand I did not start it first but the engine was still warm so it should read higher after siting a few hours then just after shut off. Still don't care for the water that comes out the tail pipe even if it is not much. Radiator seems to be staying full though.
Got to get shoes on her, after the last ride some wire or rope started showing so she got red tagged. tire hunting tomorrow. Good bye money hello rubber.

 

[JeffMayfield]

Not much smoke today.

 

[JeffMayfield]

The water coming out the tailpipe could be and probably is condensation from the combustion process. If you are not losing water from the cooling system I wouldn't be concerned about that, especially if it quits doing it after the engine warms up some.

It does quit after warming up. I will keep an eye on the overflow. the hole in the hose between the radiator and the over flow must have been letting air in the system every time it cooled lowering the water level until it got hot enough to make seam.

I think that was the reason it was getting hot. And the majority of the smoke was caused by to much oil I hope. We do have a lot of humidity here in TN for the amount of condensation. I guess I just sort of expect the worst these days. Got to remember the old kiss method.
K-eep
I-t
S-imple
S

 

[JeffMayfield]

I got 12" 5/16 fuel injection fuel line for a overflow hose after it started spaying water on top of the over flow tank today. after I moved the lines around it was ok till I got home and changed the oil and the water for coolant and of course the overflow hose.

 

[JeffMayfield]

I found a good bit of what looked to me to be pieces of head gasket in the water I drained out of the radiator. Also after I refilled the radiator and started the bike coolant splashed up about half way up the windshield and the level changes when I turn the throttle. No smoke out the exhaust but it smells like antifreeze. I think I'm loosing the gasket.

 

[JeffMayfield]

So I changed the head gaskets yesterday.

right one

Left one

My mess

Cranked right up first try.

 

[JeffMayfield]

Took her for a few rides after installing the new oem head gaskets and new oem water pump. I got some valve noise on deceleration a lot on the right side. Took the head covers off and checked the rocker arm spacer collar clearance and it was good. Then I checked the defoaming chambers and they were empty so I bled all 8 hydraulic tappets. Sounds better now but I will see tomorrow on a 100 mile ride. Going to a wedding on my wing. I wanted to give them a religious sympathy card with the wedding gift but alas the wife said "NO" I thought some of them really fit but what do I know I've only been married once ten years ago.