HONDA GL1000 1975/6 Called Merlin.

[Adamc]

MERLIN a story about a 1975/6 Honda GL1000

This bike came into my life via a late night drunken bid on eBay!

I regularly flirt around with eBay, buying and selling vinyl records mostly (my other weakness). However one Sunday evening after dinner and too much wine Mrs C wanted to watch a chick flick, so I fired up the Mac and started trawling through bike adverts as you do. A bike I had always wanted from way back when popped up; it was well photographed but had a poor description. It looked good and as only one bidder was shown with just hours to go I put in a cheeky bid, and went to bed. The next morning I get a notification that I had won the bike and must now pay!

Bugger me with a rusty breaker bar! what the hell will I tell Mrs C now? I made a brave decision to tell her nothing at all; so that sanity and my life would continue in peaceful bliss. Wifey was going away to Spain with her sister in two weeks so I would keep quiet until she returned.

So this is the bike I won:

I arranged cash on collection with the vendor; and sent my delivery team to Worcestershire to collect it.
The vendor sent me a text when the boys had loaded and the cash changed hands. He asked by text for my address to send the receipt and DVLA documents (change of ownership) to. I frantically text back saying to give the lot to the boys as I had not told my wife yet of the purchase; Whew that was a close call. The boys took the bike straight to my lockup / workshop; and I was eager to get there from work to see it. At 4.00pm the work phone rings and Mrs C is in Cardiff shopping for her imminent holiday; she wants me to meet her in a restaurant in town and take her home after dinner. Bugger foiled again. Dinner was good but to be honest I faked interest in any conversation as I had something else on my mind; including a guilty pleasure! The bike would have to wait until the next day.

Up early and straight out the door to the workshop. Open up the lockup and I'm pleased to see the bike for the first time; it looks very good, not immaculate, but very good indeed.

First impressions are great. I was told the bike was a 'runner' having covered only 400 miles in the past 4 years with its second UK owner. He also told me of a poor idle and loud whine from the tachometer. A quick check of vital fluids and visuals for anything obvious and time for a startup. Key in dash lights show all good; check neutral, and turn the key.... A click from the starter engaging ....No cranking however.
Still pleased I pushed the heavy bike back into the shop and locked everything up; got to get to work. This will have to wait for the weekend.

 

[Adamc]

Honda GL1000 second visit.
As is usual for me, home chores and work needs way heavy on my time; especially since I closed my retail store and am now self employed working under contract. Anyhoo, I did manage to get some time to visit the workshop briefly a few times on the way home from work. The bike would light up but not crank; I suspected a weak battery which testing with a meter turned out to be correct. I removed battery from The Brat (1200GS) to try and jump start the Honda; only The Brat battery was also down having stood idle since its MOT (roadworthiness check) some months ago. I took the batteries out from all bikes and took them to work to charge up. The GL100 battery is like a car battery (Huge), and although it would take a full charge it was losing volts overnight.

I ordered a few items:
New Varta battery to the correct specification £63.75.
From Tanya Ltd. Great service and delivered next day!
2 x Genuine Honda Cam Belts from £126.60
David Silver Spares a specialist Classic Honda parts supplier.
Complete service kit inc. all filters and oil £76.21
Honda Classics Restoration Services (sent wrong air filter but sorted overnight; great guys).
Honda GL1000 Genuine Workshop Manual £46.00
Honda Classics Restoration Services
Honda Genuine Parts Manual £28.00
Honda Classics Restoration Services
Morgan Carbtune Gauges £88.99
Moore Speed Racing
NOCO GB40 1000A Jump Start Pack
From Tanya Ltd.

The last two items are worthwhile additional tools to have, not specific to the GL1000.
Balancing 4 carbs would be difficult by ear; and the gauges can be used on other vehicles.
The NORCO jump starter will also be useful I have no doubt.

 

[Mailman]

What a great story, can’t wait to hear how the Mrs. takes it! The bike looks to be in really great shape! I’m sure you will have it up and around in no time!
Reminds me of this woman I used to work with. They had a junk filled garage that they couldn’t even squeeze a car into and one day she went out there to add something else to the heap and found a new Harley parked out in the garage. When she asked her husband how long he had that, he replied “ a couple of months now”.
She was a pretty good sport about it.

 

[Adamc]

HONDA GL1000 I'm rumbled & The goodies have arrived.

Its the night before Mrs C is departing for Holybobs in Spain; so I cook a special meal and open a decent bottle of red wine. We have an enjoyable few hours eating, drinking, getting merry including some good conversation; all is well with the world.
As I clear away the empty plates Mrs C calmly says "what's the new acquisition"
I freeze in my tracks, a coldness runs down my spine, and weaky reply "What do you mean?"
"What have you bought now, and it better not be another bike"
I stutter "What are you on about"
Mrs C responds with "I've seen the text messages, so I know you have bought something; also you texted 'Don't post them give them to the boys, I haven't told the wife yet'. You are rumbled"

Honestly it's like living with Miss Marples (look it up) in my house. I came clean, and to be fair Wifey was pretty cool about it. I stupidly forgot the Mac PC mimics everything I do on my iPhone. When she fired up the Mac it automatically pops up the messaging service disclosing all. She uses the mac about twice a year; can you believe it!

OK so the purchases (so Far!) have turned up and today (Sunday) I get down to the shop.
Install the new battery on the GL1000. Check vitals and go for a startup. Choke out and lots of cranking but no fire.
Plugs out (look new) check for spark - good, points checked & properly cleaned - good, all connections checked cleaned with contact cleaner and refitted. I did find a poor ground at the rear of the bike.

Another start sequence and the bike fires up and runs as rough as an old dog; but its running. Idles poorly and needs throttle to keep it alive.
Eventually, after about 10 minutes it will hold a rough idle at about 1000rpm.

Below is the first start up:

I notice some issues:
Exhaust leak from the right hand side where the muffler meets the intermediate pipe.
I hope this can be fixed as the original pipes are unobtainium!
Coolant leak from a small hole in the bottom of the water pump.
Needs closer examination and a solution.


I let the bike fully warm up and run until the radiator fan kicks in.

Happy that the bike seems to be clearing up a bit. It stumbles at idle and a slight backfire through the right exhaust at a steady 3000rpm.
I go for a short test ride around the block a few times to check gears and drive etc.

It's a smooth engine for sure (even though rough running); but not as quiet as I expected considering its water cooled. The carbs need going through no doubt. Steering is slow compared to The Brat & Taffy, but stability is exemplary. Forks need a refurb; although the rear springs seem decent enough. Brakes are terrible compared to the other two bikes. But then the BMW has superb stoppers; and Taffy has Brembos all round. The GL has old school first generation disc brakes; perhaps new pads will help.

I have decided to call the bike Merlin (A mythical Welsh Wizard).

Am I happy; YOU BETCHA I AM.

 

[Mailman]

I just can’t believe how nice that bike looks Adam!

I think this is what’s going on with your coolant leak,

 

[CaptCardboard]

Fast and bulbous!

I love the look of those things without all the fairings and espresso makers and whatnot.

 

[Jim]

Well this should prove entertaining...

I'll follow along.

 

[Jim]

Be sure and check the date codes on the tyres Adam
Merlin's a bit "portly" and needs proper shoes to keep you safe.

 

[nj1639]

Fast and bulbous!

Zappa.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program........

 

[nj1639]

Nice!
Two bikes I wouldn't mind having, a naked Goldwing and/or a SOHC 750.

 

[Adamc]

I just can’t believe how nice that bike looks Adam!

I think this is what’s going on with your coolant leak,
View attachment 329345

Cheers Bob, As usual the members have my back. Lots of works ahead, but at least I have good bones to work with.

 

[Adamc]

Well this should prove entertaining...

I'll follow along.

So pleased you will follow. I WILL NEED YOUR SUPORT.
All are welcome to chip in as my problems need sorting going forward.
All help is greatly appreciated..

 

[Adamc]

Be sure and check the date codes on the tyres Adam
Merlin's a bit "portly" and needs proper shoes to keep you safe.

Will do Jim. I am a stalwart regarding tires, having been tossed off long ago using outdated rubber. Ahem that could read wrong if you know what I mean.

 

[Adamc]

Nice!
Two bikes I wouldn't mind having, a naked Goldwing and/or a SOHC 750.

Had two CB750 in my biking life. CB750 K6 and a Honda Britten Phil Read Replica. Wish I Had them now.

 

[Jim]

I let the bike fully warm up and run until the radiator fan kicks in.

Don't sound too bad Adam. Work your magic and it'll sing jus' fine.
But jus' so were clear... the "real" Merlin had 12 cylinders...

 

[Jan_P]

Very fine machine .. Perhaps collector quality cant be many left
Not knowing the history ..and what has been done
I would consider wait with carburetor work .. People here sometimes add chemicals to the petrol after winter standstill With success what I hear Not done it myself.
Who knows what is in there rust condensed water and whatnot -- - Add a Filter perhaps
Running a bit rough idling ..is normal if not been in use I have rarely had carburetor problems
And it is delicate parts in this case synchronizing and so.
maybe there is a need for it ..
But there seems to be improvement between the two videos and float valve at least needs some time to start moving.
I would probably check ignition timing and if not obvious problems And running OK on throttle
and things improve
perhaps wait 100 --150 km Using judgement no excessive revving and long warm runs

There exist various chemicals for exhaust leaks
fex

https://www.biltema.se/en-se/car---...epair-kits/mounting-adhesive-130-g-2000017097

 

[Adamc]

Very fine machine .. Perhaps collector quality cant be many left
Not knowing the history ..and what has been done
I would consider wait with carburetor work .. People here sometimes add chemicals to the petrol after winter standstill With success what I hear Not done it myself.
Who knows what is in there rust condensed water and whatnot -- - Add a Filter perhaps
Running a bit rough idling ..is normal if not been in use I have rarely had carburetor problems
And it is delicate parts in this case synchronizing and so.
maybe there is a need for it ..
But there seems to be improvement between the two videos and float valve at least needs some time to start moving.
I would probably check ignition timing and if not obvious problems And running OK on throttle
and things improve
perhaps wait 100 --150 km Using judgement no excessive revving and long warm runs

There exist various chemicals for exhaust leaks
fex

https://www.biltema.se/en-se/car---...epair-kits/mounting-adhesive-130-g-2000017097

Hello Jan,
Thanks for the advise regarding this new to me bike. I am willing to try your suggested methods of reviving this long standing bike.
The four top mounted carbs have complex linkages which seem to work ok. I will keep running it up and see if they clear. Then Idle and other timing issues will be checked.

 

[Adamc]

MERLIN - The History

@Jan_P Sparked my interest by mentioning the word 'history'; so I delved into the paperwork recived with the bike.

Merlin is a GL1000 Honda manufactured in the States in 1975, and first registered in 1976.
It was imported into the UK in 2019 showing around 14,000 miles on the clocks.
I used 'Car Vertical' to try and find more indepth history; and paid my £29.99 report fee.
The service checks millions of registrations in 35 countries around the world (Often promoted by youtubers as a go to service).
About one minute later I got my report back containing diddily squat information!

Ccar Vertical Report:

So that was a waste of money; although mild reassurance that no finance issues or thefts were reported.
As the bike was a USA import I should have guessed as much.

So the bike came with a folder of other information; Including the details of the first UK owner that imported the machine in 2019.
He lived in Telford, Shropshire, England (A fine region) and he undertook a mild restoration enclosing a list of work done:

A fairly comprehensive amount of work above; but I cannot confirm it was done. But I take it with a pinch of salt for the following reasons:
1. Forks look clean but the right hand seal leaks.
2. Battery looked old and not holding charge. However plugs and caps look new.
3. Cam belts may have been done - I need to open up the front cover and check (I have new ones anyway).
4. Fuel & Temp gauges work OK, but Tachometer didn't and made a loud whinning noise. I already disassembled this lubed and fixed it.
There are no reciepts in the folder to confirm this work was done; I find this strange as other documents seem to be kept in good order.
I will try and contact this person to verify the above.

This owner also registered the bike for use in the UK.
Other historical details were recovered through the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (UK)

The bike is sold on:
Shortly after the first UK owners time he sold it on in 2020 to a guy in South Staffordshire, England.
This is the fellow I bought the bike from. A seemingly straight forward person who disclosed a few faults such as the non working Tacho and the reluctance for the bike to idle. As he stated only having done less that 400 miles in the past four years I took these faults as fact. He has a stable of other machines and the Wing was always the last one at the back of the shed.

Below are some other images of documents supplied:

ORIGONAL GOLDWING BROCHURE

VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB - UK
Confirmation Document

HONDA UK CONFIRMATION DOCUMENT

GOLDWING OWNERS CLUB (GB) Booklet
I have joined this club because you never know what you might need.

So far this is all I have about Merlin; but I will keep digging to find out more.

Thanks to all who have shown interest in this project, which encourages me to document more as I go.

Ads.

 

[mrtwowheel]

Many of those GL1000's were parked because of timing belt failure that bent valves, pistons are not usually broken up. Many others were parked because of charging issues, the rotor and stator are at the back of the engine and they are in oil. The engine must be removed to change stator and rotor, aftermarket doesn't have a very good reputation. Timing belts, there is a drain hole at the bottom of the belt cover. Moisture will collect there and even pools of water rotting the belts if that drainage hole is blocked. Gates is a good brand for belts.

Change the belts, replace the reg/rec and you may avoid those common problems.

 

[mike in idaho]

It's always a good idea, when re-commissioning an old Goldwing, to replace the cam belts and check out the water pump. Like with tires, age is a big factor in the condition of the cam belts, a few dollars spent on fresh belts can save hundreds, later on down the road. Parts to rebuild the water pump aren't listed on the GL parts list, however the water pump seals and bearings for the CX500 motors are available individually and are the same parts.