Does your early GL1000 sound like a rattling bucket of bolts when idling? If so, you might have a serious engine problem but most likely you do not. Read on…
Honda GL1000 / GL1100 / GL1200 Head Gasket Details
Head gaskets on early ‘Wings are ultra reliable. The vast majority of these bikes are still running flawlessly on the original, factory-installed head gaskets which are now 40+ years old. Rare failures are usually caused by inattention and poor maintenance to the cooling system. But, a simple case of overheating can ruin your head gaskets. Warped heads are also a possibly outcome of overheating!
GL1000 Cylinder Head and OEM Honda Head Gasket
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Pod Air Filters or Aftermarket Pipes on Vintage Hondas?
I get a steady steady stream of questions about re-jetting for aftermarket pipes on the range of vintage Honda motorcycles we support.
Honda GL1000 Smokes on Initial Startup?
Catastrophe or Nuisance?
Greg Jones (left) and Al Wransky (right). Photo by Scott Larson
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Team Winston Runs Strong at 2018 AMA Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials
John Winston (aka “Winston”) and team just completed their most productive run ever with the supercharged Honda GL1000 saltracer. New rider Larry Shields battled numerous gremlins (including a fried clutch) but still managed 136+ mph at Bonneville. Winston and Larry have big plans for next year!
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Engine Compression Testing
Standard Compression Testing:
Compression readings depend on a number of critical variables and proper testing technique.
Recommended Honda GL1000 Timing Belt Change Interval
My recommendation for Honda GL1000 timing belts is simple: It you can’t verify their age – change them! Thereafter, my recommendation is to change them every 5 years or 25,000 miles…whichever comes sooner. Obviously, they should be inspected from time to time for any evidence of damage, oil contamination or deterioration which would warrant immediate replacement.
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Flooding Issues on Vintage Hondas
Flooding is a common problem in vintage Hondas – especially on bikes that don’t get run much. Flooding can be just a minor aggravation …like hard starting or poor fuel mileage. But, it can also lead to catastrophic problems such as severe engine damage or even a fire! Flooding issues should not be ignored!
Internally Collapsed Header on Honda GL1000?
Internally Collapsed Header on Honda GL1000?
Collapsed GL1000 Header
Example courtesy of Steve Seamans of NGWClub Forum
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One in a Million! Allan Zahrt’s Million Mile GL1000
How many million mile motorcycles are there? Answer below. Read on!
Allan Zahrt with his Million Mile GL1000!
In the early seventies Honda launched without fanfare an ambitious project. Internally, Honda had a bold plan: to build the world’s best motorcycle. Not just the best Japanese motorcycle – the best motorcycle available anywhere in the world. Period! The eventual result of this project was revealed to the world at the Cologne, Germany International Motorcycle Show (INTERMOT) in October, 1974 as the GL1000.
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