Motorcycle Repair: gl1100 overheating, valve cover gasket, goldwing 1100

Question
Hey Chris ,I have a 1983 goldwing 1100 interstate I went out to start it yesterday and warm the oil before I changed it .It started right up but would not idle so I got new plugs and changed the oil .The left side( when sitting on it) is running a lot hotter than the other side ,the exhaust is hotter and popping and it still will not idle or run at less than 2000 rpm.At the end of last season I noticed a little oil leaking around valve cover  gasket on that side and changed it out .I have never noticed it overheating and the fan always keeps it in range . I would appreciate any help or ideas you might have . Thanks .Ron

Answer
Hi Ron.

This sounds not so much as an overheating problem as a problem with potential ignition problems or carb issues.  One side is not firing the same as the other.

This means that you could have failing coils, a short in the ignition system or bad connections directly related to the coils or the ignition system.  Test and check the entire ignition system for bad connections, bad coils and shorts.

Another possibility is that the engine, for some other reason, is running rich on that side, causing the engine to not burn all of the fuel and run cooler.  This will show in fouling of the plugs.  A good carb cleaning and proper synchronising should fix that problem.

Check those out and see what you find.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON