The good and the bad, GL1200

2105 Views 17 Replies 7 Participants Last post by westgl, Mar 5, 2013

River

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2013

I always like the looks of 84-85 gl1200 Interstate and Aspencade. I was at a local bike show and a woman had a 84 Interstate in the show for sale.

She was asking $2750.00 and I gave her $2200.00 and took it home without even cranking it up. I had never ridden a Goldwing either so after two more days sitting in the show, I wheeled it out and cranked it up.

The bike felt much different from the other cruisers I had owned and the first thing I noticed was that the foot pegs were in the way of my shins while backing the bike, so I took them off and modified them to fold up out of the way.

The next thing I noticed was the shifter area was crowded for my big boots and the shifter feels too far down and I may can adjust that to where it feels more natural.

The first thing that went wrong with the bike was the shifter system went mushy and the bike started creeping. More fluid in the clutch bowl and it probably needs a rebuild. Right? She failed to tell me about that little secret so I get to learn how to bleed the clutch lines! Should be no big deal.

The seat was next, it was the original seat and had a couple small splits in the seams, so I took it off and hollowed the butt area, put in gell with memory foam and off to the upholsters. The guy did a beautiful job on the seat.

The next thing is the bike feels too high for my five nine, so I will probably put on manual shocks that are about an inch shorter and see how that affects the handling of the bike. If it's not adverse to the handling of the bike, I'll leave it and store the original shocks.

I changed the oil, the bike runs great with 68000 miles on her. She had added a lot of extra Chrome, lights, and a trailer hitch. The bike feels superb cruising on the freeway at 75 miles an hour. The bike shifted smooth as butter until the shifter went mushy.

I think I am going to like the bike, and $2200.00 well spent. So much for my first Goldwing.

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DaveO430

· #2 · Mar 3, 2013

Congrats on the new ride. First off a goldwing is not a cruiser, it is a touring bike, common mistake. Yes you need to bleed the clutch as well as the brakes, commonly neglected item. Probably needs new coolant and final drive oil also and did you ask if and when the timing belts had been changed? You can remove the shifter and move it up, simple job. You could have had the seat foam cut down instead of lowering the suspension.

River

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 3, 2013

DaveO430 said:
Congrats on the new ride. First off a goldwing is not a cruiser, it is a touring bike, common mistake. Yes you need to bleed the clutch as well as the brakes, commonly neglected item. Probably needs new coolant and final drive oil also and did you ask if and when the timing belts had been changed? You can remove the shifter and move it up, simple job. You could have had the seat foam cut down instead of lowering the suspension.

The difference between cruising and touring to me is more a matter of semantics. I do make a lot of common mistakes.

Why would I need to bleed the brakes since the brakes work fine?

I didn't know enough about Goldwings to ask about timing belts, and none of the many Goldwing owners there at the show mentioned it. What happens when a timing belt breaks, is it likely to bend the valves?

When I got into the seat to give it some comfort I didn't think there was enough foam there to cut it down, and still have the comfort I wanted out of the seat. Thats when I started thinking about trying shorter shocks off a junk bike. I still think the shorter shocks might be a best viable option.

Well..bleeding was easy, I tied the clutch lever down to the handlebar grip overnight, and its up this morning, No sweat. I'll get a kit and rebuild the slave cylinder.

I don't think I'll have much trouble with the bike as everything seems to be nice and tight on it. It has Metzler 880's on it, and I don't care for their tires. I have ran them with no problems, but other people say they have had problems with them.

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Kefltrvlr2

· #4 · Mar 3, 2013

The slave cylinder is, most likely, the clutch leak issue.

Be careful of the charging system on the bike especially if PO added extra lights along with that chrome. This website has plenty of info about what to look for and change such as the dog bone fuse and stator wire plug left of the battery. If it doesn't have a volt meter on it I would recommend adding one.

Enjoy it!

River

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 3, 2013

Kefltrvlr2 said:
The slave cylinder is, most likely, the clutch leak issue.

Be careful of the charging system on the bike especially if PO added extra lights along with that chrome. This website has plenty of info about what to look for and change such as the dog bone fuse and stator wire plug left of the battery. If it doesn't have a volt meter on it I would recommend adding one.

Enjoy it!

I believe you are right about the slave cylinder being the culprit as I couldn't see any sign of leakage on the hose or the master cylinder.

As for the charging system, the PO added a GM alternator, and hopeful took care of the other two items you mentioned above. It does have a voltmeter.

The timing belts I don't know about. It doesn't look too big of a job to change them. They are about 15.00 each at NAPA so I think I better change them out before my trips begin in the spring just to be safe.

Lots to learn about this bike.

DaveO430

· #6 · Mar 3, 2013

Brake fluid needs to be changed at least every 2 years, Most never do it and end up with sticking calipers and ruined master cylinders.
It will definitely bend valves at the very least if a timing belt breaks.

Bellboy40

· #7 · Mar 3, 2013

When you bleed the brakes on your 1200 you should be aware that the brakes are linked on the foot brake. That means when you press the foot brake you are using the rear brake and the right front brake. Bleed the front first then the rear brake. The hand brake only operates the left front brake.
Also here is a link to a how-to article on changing timing belts on the 1200.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/1200timingbelts.htm

River

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 4, 2013

Without a doubt I stumbled upon the best forum on the internet to help me learn how to maintenance this bike, and I really appreciate the help.

The video on the timing belts, and clutch bleeding is excellent quality. If I had known what I have already learned from this form, I wouldn't have paid a penny more than $2000.00 for this bike.

DaveO430

· #9 · Mar 4, 2013

We all live and learn, at least some of us do. I am a prime example of paying too much for a lot of things. I finally learned to lowball everything and work from there.
When you get it up in shape it will be worth it.

River

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 4, 2013

dave0430,
I had to look up where Amity is, I am a transplanted Arky from Clinton Arkansas, that up toward Branson Mo.

I belong to CMA and hope to ride to Hatfield Arkansas perhaps this fall for the CMA changing of the colors, I also have a thousand mile each way trip planned for the spring. I should have the bike in top shape by then. I live out near Vancouver Washington.

Ansimp

· #11 · Mar 4, 2013

Sounds like you are heading in the right direction to getting your bike sorted. If you run the right air pressure in the 880s you should be really pleased with their performance.

River

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 4, 2013

What is the right air pressure, do you go by the book or by the rating on the wall of the 880?

BigBro1

· #13 · Mar 4, 2013

Welcome to the Forum from Port Orchard.

I run Metzler 880's on my 84 interstate. I am a big guy and the dealer told me 36 in the front, 42 in the rear.

I like that way that feels so I stayed there.

DaveO430

· #14 · Mar 5, 2013

River said:
dave0430,
I had to look up where Amity is, I am a transplanted Arky from Clinton Arkansas, that up toward Branson Mo.

I belong to CMA and hope to ride to Hatfield Arkansas perhaps this fall for the CMA changing of the colors, I also have a thousand mile each way trip planned for the spring. I should have the bike in top shape by then. I live out near Vancouver Washington.

I am very familiar with Clinton, we usually make a fuel stop there on our way up into the Ozarks.
Not too far from Hatfield, I know where the CMA campground is there. Send me a PM and we'll swap phone #s when you head this way.

Ansimp

· #15 · Mar 5, 2013

BigBro1 said:
Welcome to the Forum from Port Orchard.

I run Metzler 880's on my 84 interstate. I am a big guy and the dealer told me 36 in the front, 42 in the rear.

I like that way that feels so I stayed there.

It is interesting that you are running the same pressures that I run in my CBRs and they are much lighter than the GWs. If I load up the bike I take the rear to 44-46 psi. I am running Metzler Road Teks which I love on both CBRs

River

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 5, 2013

I was able to find the phone number of the PO and called her about the timing belts, and she said the timing belts had not been change within the previous 2 years.

So its off the see the wizard, and get some timing belts, and do a little wrenching.

I only have a tiny paved spot to get it on the center stand so I hope its not too difficult with the bike that low to the ground. It is sure to be an adventure though.

westgl

· #17 · Mar 5, 2013

If the bike is too low,

Run the rear wheel on to a 1/2" ply wood to a 2x4 length wise then try to put the center stand down

changing the Brake fluid makes a big difference, water is heaver than brake fluid and it will drop to the lowest point, calipers and rust/seize things up.

Best to evacuate all brake fluids, it must be pretty dark and could be in pretty crappy shape.

Better to have those brake's working well than to have a problem on the road

westgl

· #18 · Mar 5, 2013

When doing your timing belt,

One of the cams will be under valve spring pressure and want to turn.

But if you watched the video then you probably saw that, and checking to make sure the timing is correct after install so that you have NO contact before you start the engine

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