Motorcycle Repair: 1981 Gold Wing, honda gold wing, gold wing club

Question
Hi Bill
I have a 1981 GL1100 interstate that has been sitting for 10 maybe 15 years. Brake fluid is stiff as well as everything else that happens when one sets that long. This bike only has 4900 miles on it, looks excellent and I would like to get it going. I dont know what exactly needs to be done or what it should cost. I am leary to take it to someone and they run up a big bill on it and it still is not fixed. I am in Florida dont know if you would know someone here to recomend. What all do you feel I would need to replace for it to be back in good shape. It has been stored in a metal bldg with concrete floor all these years in Oklahoma. No heat in Bldg. Can you give me some ideas. Thanks Larry

Answer
Larry, if you can't do this yourself, plan on spending upwards of $1500+ to get it all right again. If it was stored with old gas in the tank and carbs, then the whole fuel system will have to be disassembled, cleaned and overhauled as necessary.
The brakes will all need to be redone.. master cylinders and calipers.
The cooling system flushed, new theromostat, hoses, etc.
The cam belts should be replaced.
New battery, spark plugs and/or plug caps/wires.
Probably the fork seals will start leaking soon, if not replaced.
Engine oil and filter and final drive oil changed.
Probably a good idea to have the wheel bearings repacked.

Check the web for any of the many Honda Gold Wing club sites or ones dedicated to the GL1100-1200 series and look for maintenance charts and other service suggestions.

From what you have told me, I would leave it alone and find a good runner somewhere closer to you. There should be plenty for sale on the GW sites or on CycleTrader.com site and similar classified ad sites.

Bill Silver