I've had a string of smaller vintage Hondas, and am winding up my courage to try an early GW. Before I even run around looking at (gotta be under $2500) bikes, can you guys give me a little jumpstart? I've read a "buying a GW' website from Ireland, and I've fished around this forum, but here are some things not covered:
1. How often timing belts changed? Special tools? Is it like an OHC car, where you change the water pump while you're in there?
2. Often 'stator' mentioned as a problem, one says 'starter' is bad. Spelling is not a strong trait in Craig's and these forums, so what are the chronic problems?
3. Is an SEI a desirable rare bike, or an oddball troublesome orphan? Does I mean injection, as on some old Honda cars? Is injection a good thing on bikes, as it is on cars? Does it help dodge the carburetor balancing bullet?
Thank you for any guidance.

seems like you are looking at 1200 wings don. if you don't know when the belts were changed then change them or have someone do the job. a friend changes his timing belts every 80,000 or eight years and i plan to do the same. if you come across a wing with fuel injcetion in your price range i would buy it if i were you. i'm sending you a pm to help

So injection was successful, even as early as a 1986 SEI? You are sending a PM, does that mean Preventive Maintenance? Was that about the stator/starter thing? I didn't understand, was that emailed to donf898@verizon.net? Sorry, I'm a little slow on the uptake,
thanks again,
Don

pm = private message. look at the top right of the screen right under your name and click private messages, it will take you to the folder

The "stator" refers to the alternator of the bike. I've heard/read all kinds of horror stories about them, but I'm not so sure it's all true. I think if the bike has WAAAAY more lights/stuff on it than the alt. is rated for, then yeah...it's gonna be a problem.

The starter is just what you think it is, of course. I've also heard a lot about starter failures...this one may be closer to true. I see new/reman starters on ebay every day for $100, so they must be popular items for some reason.
My '81 has a little trouble cranking every now and then, so I'm sure I'll be replacing my starter before long...:(

aapple check the battery and all the positive and negitive connections first before you replace the starter. corrosion will cause the same problems. when buying an older wing like ask if the stator has been changed and the timing belts. my 1200 is an '84 and the last 1200's were '87 and its 2009. how long do you expect the stator , starter or belts to last???

Thanks for your help, I'll keep those things in mind when shopping. While off-season may produce an occasional bargain, I'm dragging feet until I can actually ride and try out. While I've always enjoyed all bells n' whistles on cars, I get a little nervous about something as exotic as self-leveling on an old motorcycle, as I've seen indicated for the SEI. Glad to hear you are enthusiastic about the FI though.

aapple check the battery and all the positive and negitive connections first before you replace the starter. corrosion will cause the same problems. when buying an older wing like ask if the stator has been changed and the timing belts. my 1200 is an '84 and the last 1200's were '87 and its 2009. how long do you expect the stator , starter or belts to last???


Good point, Dr. Buzzard! ;)
P.O. stated the timing belts and stator had been changed shortly before I bought it, but who knows?:confused: Never hurts to check out stuff like that, regardless of what they tell ya. After all, they're trying to get rid of it, right?;)
Thanks for the reminder.:D

Just bought a 81 GW, not running, but engine seemed free, 42K mi. and looks absolutely like new. I was blinded by the shine, it seemed like a good home and plausible story, so I bought it, and will trailer it home in a couple of days. $700 gamble.

Congratz!
Hope it works out nicely for ya.
If it's been sitting a long time, the carbs are probably gummed up, or otherwise in need of service.
Even if it turns out to be a turd, you can sell the parts for more than what you paid for the bike, so....it's kinda a win-win...sorta.:D
Hopefully getting it running, and on the road won't be too much of a project.:)

I was tickled but will try not to be euphoric.
Sent you a PM (I don't know why PM) the other day went something like:
Weather change? They talk about it, but they ain't seen it unless they've been in panhandle TX up through high plains, like KS where I grew up, and it's as you described, maybe 40 degrees up/down in a few hours. I lived in DL 40 yrs ago and Duncanville rings a bell, but where is it?

when changing timinng belts you'll have to drain the radiator so it is a good time to put new hoses and thermostat on

I mean PICKED UP. Hauled home on trailer. Both wheels, brakes dragging like crazy, so loading and offloading a hassle. Starter clicks, won't turn, but it turned for us last week on jumper cables. I don't care, it's gorgeous, worth working on everything. Dragging my feet until warmer weather before doing much in garage.

Trivial question: What's missing from front fender, to occupy two screw holes? I forgot to ask seller where it is.... Also, does anybody sell touchup stick for this old a bike? Maroon/mahogany, whatever it's called.
thanks,
Don

I have a 82 gl-1100 interstate that I just bought. It set for about 4 years. I have everything ready to go but the front brakes. The front brakes will hang up after riding a little. I can crack open either bleeder or the brake line at the master cylinder to let the pressure off and it will free up. I have replaced the master cyl. with another used one with no luck. I put a rebuid kit in master cyl. and still get the same results. I believe it is in the master cyl. because the brake handel gets hard and when you crack open the brake line at the master cyl. it lets the pressure off. I hope there is something I am missing, I don't want to pay $350 for a new master cyl. and still have the same problem. Thanks for your help. John

hello and welcome to GWOF johnjandhs, the problem is the calapers need a rebuild or at least a good cleaning