By: Randall Washington (aka Randakk)
Vintage motorcycles can change your life. I mean that quite literally. Building a business immersed in such fabulous machinery has been quite a ride. One of the best aspects? Working with the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association, AHRMA.
Continue reading “What I’ve Learned from AHRMA Vintage Roadracing”
I’m often asked how to return an engine to service after a long lay-up. The starting point would be an engine which hasn’t been started in several years. Hopefully, the crankshaft will turn freely without heroic measures. You should always check this before buying an old bike that’s been sitting. I “pass” on most opportunities to buy bikes with frozen engines. Bikes with frozen engines usually have a myriad of other problems that make them poor candidates for serious restoration efforts.
Here’s the method I use to resurrect GL1000 engines safely. This procedure is very effective in safely cleaning engine internals and removing varnish from the starter clutch rollers. The process works well for most internal combustion engines.
Continue reading “Starting a Honda GL1000 after a Long Lay-up”
Catastrophe or Nuisance?
Greg Jones (left) and Al Wransky (right). Photo by Scott Larson
Continue reading “Honda GL1000 Smokes on Initial Startup?”
“I am totally in love with this bike after completing the build about 5 years ago. It’s a blast to ride and handles the twistys like no GL1000 was ever expected to. The power increase from the 40mm Webers, the sound from the carbon fiber exhaust, the great braking all add to the experience. How well it takes the curves, was really a big surprise to me. I’ve been to the other side of 100mph (please don’t tell my wife) more times than I can count, and it’s rock stable at that speed.
Continue reading “Team Winston Runs Strong at 2018 AMA Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials”
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.
Continue reading “Recommended Honda GL1000 Timing Belt Change Interval”
Note: The graphic for this Tech Tip is provided courtesy of Tom Thomas of Austell, GA.
My GL1000 carb video goes into great detail on the placement of these bits, but the nice graphic below provided by Tom Thomas is a handy quick reference.
For many of us, our motorcycle is an extension of our personality. A two-wheeled conglomerate of metal and self-expression. This month’s featured products are dedicated to those individuals eager to chop, weld, bend, and customize their bike into a 1-of-1 kind of ride.
To visit some of the custom work of Randakk’s customers, visit our Bike Gallery here.
I find the factory recommended idle mixture screw setting specs to be very close to ideal. They are listed here for the Honda GL1000.
I do usually richen them up an extra 1/8 to 1/4 turn (out) to compensate for the leaner modern “gasoline” which is diluted with ethanol in most US markets.
But sometimes, you just need an excuse to do some high performance tuning on your bike! 🙂
Continue reading “Not so “Green,” No-Drop Idle Mixture Adjustment Method”
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