|
|
1983 GL1100AAspencade
|
|
|
|
1983 GL1100AAspencade
|
|
|
The Original build bike..... Dec. 2010 So, the other day I was browsing Craigslist wishing I could afford another project bike when I see this ad for an Aspencade, 1983 – engine replaced, starter clutch bad, $550.00 ……… Hmm, I could squeeze that much out of the significant other, she’s planning a non-bike vacation in July/August & wants me along –why, I don’t know but it’ll be worth a few sympathy bucks if I go. So, 50 miles later I’m looking at a 158K mile Aspy with a miss, and a starter problem but overall not bad. I could argue him down some. I have a low mile (8K) GL1100 engine with a pitted # 2 cylinder so I asked what was wrong with the old engine. He showed me the block with a hole in # 1 piston, bad valve adjustment he said. THEN He says I’m welcome to it and any other parts for the wing if I could fit them ??? Next thing I knew I was loading extra heads, covers, 2 sets of carbs and then he brings out a 1984 GL1200 engine – complete…… carbs & all !!!!! Got it from a buddy but didn’t want to mess with the hydraulic clutch. I didn’t have the heart to even try to argue him down. He got is green & I got my gold.
-- 2 May 2011 -- After several snowstorms, building a 2nd bathroom and chiropractor's visits, I got back to the project I wanted to do..... Upon teardown, the engine had a "few" problems..... no C-clip on output shaft to hold driveshaft - good thing I didn't try to ride it...... Also missing cotter pins in several areas, like brake link, also no spacer, tire rubbing on rear brake link. Odd bolts holding things in place, bolts missing in other places, the stator bolt falling out. Almost looked like it was put back together by a backyard lawnmower mechanic. "If it starts and mows, it has enough parts on it". Decided against using the 8K mile engine when I spilt the case to replace the left cylinders. Found quite a bit of rust on the gears and piston rods as well as some sort of washer in the bottom of the case that was worn in half. Appears to be a "thrust" washer? from off the trans main shaft. Also had to scrape out the hard goop to remove the screen, so now I have a parts engine..... The engine that the P/O had installed is now the rebuild (the one with the stator bolt falling out.....). Bought a gasket kit and will replace all the o-rings etc. Now to the Engine: The water pump was sloppy and leaked but I had a new spare (just in case). The thermostat had fallen apart literally.... the bearing on the shaft for the CDI had a wobble to it, about 3/4" off center...the other ones I have are nice and tight. so swap out time. The starter clutch assembly was as dry as the Sahara Desert. no wonder it seldom caught. The oil screen was pretty well full of "clumps", not metal, just hard sediment. I had run some sea foam in the engine before removal so the rest is pretty good. the P/O had painted the engine to make it look good but just painted over the grease, grime and road crud.... power washing made it clean and in need of a real painting. Wonder of wonders, the belts had been replaced !!! Timing belt was off by 1 tooth on the right bank - carbs were sticky and no doubt clogged.....already rebuilt one of the other 3 sets he gave me. I'm pulling the clutch and the oil pumps next - then on to reassembly.
Keep in mind that this engine actually "RAN" with all these problems.... - 6 May 2011 - Gasket set was from a certain company I can't mention publicly, 50 /50 at best..... Gaskets are OK..... O-rings are NOT.... exhaust rings are NOT copper.... Live and learn. - 28 May 2011 – First chance I had to add to the saga of “Aspy” – Finally went to install the engine and found three of the four carb bolt holes in one head were stripped out….. Had another head “just Lying around…” so I cleaned it up, loosened up the valves and prepped it for install – simple, right? - WRONG!! Seems the Aluminum around # 3 sleeve is deformed? Looks to be in the casting? There didn't seem to be any blow by or compression loss but just to be safe.... J-B Welded it ….. Sorry, no pics… - 29 May 2011 – Cleaned up the J-B Weld and torqued the head on. Reinstalled the new belts and will re-torque the head tomorrow.
- 30 May 2011 – Re-torqued head and next is the gas tank. I used the vinegar treatment once again with great results! WARNING TO ANYONE WHO USES VINEGAR….. IT KILLS GRASS !!!!!!! I spilled about a pint on the driveway the first time and rinsed it off – it ran into the grass and the wife still reminds me about it a year later…. “See that dead spot? That’s from you and your rust busting concoctions”. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 28 Nov. 2011 THEN CAME THE PARTS ON THE HOOF....... THE AD !
FOR
SALE $550.00 Later…… Thanks to Evan at Speakeasy Motors in Paramus NJ ( www.speakeasymotors.com ) I now have a complete 83 Aspencade for parts -with only 14K miles even! Just got back and have yet to try to start it but Mechanicals look good. Evan's shop is a great little out of the way place where he is turning out some VERY nice bikes. He does custom metal fabrication as well as paint, airbrush, pinstriping, vinyl, powdercoat, ceramic coating and no doubt will try almost anything if you ask nicely. He has a nice machine shop set up so think of him when you get stuck or have an odd idea. His web site is very sparse in pics but then he is working so no doubt overlooked that end. I looked at a book of past projects while there ( the book was a 3 ring binder made of alum. diamond plate) and he has been busy.......
AS Found: no title, no keys, no gas in tank or carbs - yes they snap back nicely and tank looks VERY GOOD. ORIGINAL owner's manual and radio manual ! Broken corner of Trunk and of left bag and lid. All Looks to be original and only 14K miles ! Good thing I decided to put off the reconstruct phase a bit, I now have an almost new bike to put on the 158K "Titled" frame. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AND .... The Build Begins! Please note: I build to ride, not polish..... It may never be a "Bike Of The Month" but it WILL be "One For The Road".
the engine is NOT painted...... this is just Purple Power and pressure washed !
OK, I did polish the carb tops and intakes but NOT the valve covers
or front covers...
14K swing arm
Yeah, I couldn't resist a little paint.
Swing arm is next, then choose the cleanest tank and install the rear wheel and its ROLLING..... That engine in the back has about 65K on it and is available if someone needs one.... It's a '83A.
pressure washed and bolts polished..... Only paint added was a touch of Red ------------------------------------------------------- 16 March 2012 : Pneumonia - AGAIN - I HATE NJ WEATHER !!!!! ------------------------------------------------ 30 May 2012: Brakes - Brakes - Brakes
Cleaned and rebuilt brakes will be modified so both front are on the front master and rear is on the foot pedal. "A front caliper tied into the rear pedal is as great an idea as the air bag on motorcycles." "Next will be seatbelts." with luck they will work even better than they look. Weather is changing - maybe I'll get this done yet..... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 June 2012 IT IS ALIVE !!! said Dr. Frankenstein.......
on 17 June 2012 "ASPY" started up and settled into an idle - first try..... for the first time in 10 years?
Next is bleeding the brakes, connecting the air compressor, lights then plastics. After that is the TEST RIDE !!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 June 0212 Brakes bled & compressor set up CORRECTLY........ Be aware, this is very little painting, a little pressure washing and a little polishing..... 14K miles..... Lights and plastic next.
29 June 2012 To use some younger generation terms...."OMG & WTF !!!" This thing runs like a Raped Ape !!! a little sluggish in the bottom end but wake it up and HANG ON !!!
Son-in-Law's Ducati Retread Aspy .
need to key the locks for the faring yet and bleed the front brakes again... after that, buy some "Flight" insurance.....
|
|
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
%20done.JPG)
%20done.JPG)
%20done.JPG)
