GL1000 Carb Synchronization Procedure

You might consider this item ..synchronization is shown: Randakk’s GL1000 Carb Rebuild Video

Proper carb synchronization is the key to a sweet running bike. When carb sync is out of whack, you can have a poor idle, poor off-idle response, “hanging” throttle and lazy return to idle. You can even suffer from fouled plugs if one or more throttle butterflies are opening early, thereby partially activating the carb’s progression circuitry. Very small adjustments will have a major impact on idle smoothness!

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Common Honda GL1000 Carburetor Rebuilding Mistakes

You might consider this item: Randakk’s GL1000 Carb Rebuild Video

Here’s a partial list of problems encountered by amateurs when rebuilding GL1000 carbs. Often, I’m called upon to resolve botched rebuilds by incompetent mechanics, current or previous owners, brothers-in-law, and neighbors. Avoid these mistakes if you tackle a rebuild yourself.

JoukoCarbs3

GL1000 Carbs Restored by Randakk Customer Jouko Tomminen of of Lahti, Finland

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Diesel Clatter in Honda GL1000?

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…

Diesel

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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.  
Pod Filters

Pod Filters?

Shade Tree Diagnostic Tests!

I was very fortunate to grow up in a neighborhood and farm family full of excellent shade-tree mechanics. Mostly they were short on cash and long on resourcefulness.

I learned quite a lot by pestering these very talented home-gown mechanics. 

Shade Tree Mechanics

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Honda GL1000 Smokes on Initial Startup?

Catastrophe or Nuisance?

Smoke on initial Startup 1

Greg Jones (left) and Al Wransky (right). Photo by Scott Larson
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Engine Compression Testing

Standard Compression Testing:
 
Compression readings depend on a number of critical variables and proper testing technique.
Compression Testing 1

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.timing belt replacement

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Not so “Green,” No-Drop Idle Mixture Adjustment Method

I find the factory recommended idle mixture screw setting specs to be very close to ideal. They are listed here for the Honda GL1000.

Idle FUEL Mixture Screw on 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! 🙂 

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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!

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