New 1980 V1000 G5 Project

[Rineheitzgabot]

Hi Gang,  I'm thankful to have found this great forum for my new project to document, and hopefully receive advice from you experts.  It's an'80 V1000 G5, and is in pretty good shape.  Been in a garage for years, and no rust or damage, with the exception of a few knicks and the obligatory missing reflector, ah-hem, etc. 

I am hoping some of you can start me off as I don't know where to start.  I'm not a seasoned restorer, just tinker with a used bike or car and refurb, mostly.  Bought a new battery, plugged 'er in and a puff of white smoke from the fuse box was all needed to unhook, and begin studying and messing around.  Hooked the battery back up and cannot get any action from the start button.  Bridged the solenoid and heard the starter spin and whine, but no engagement with flywheel.  I understand this could be due to lack of a good amp flow, but would like anyone's thoughts on this.







Do I jump in to the "new harness" route?  Are there obvious things I should try first?

What I would like to do is hear it run, and become somewhat reliable, then tear it down for a good refurb.

Any and all thoughts welcome. 

[Dave Swanson]

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the project. 

The G5 is a good machine, but is a low value bike even in great shape.  You will need to be careful on your spending, unless you are just doing for the fun, and expense be hanged.  An approach I have been known to take.

The bare wire next to the rectifier regulator is certainly not a good sign.  This leads me to believe that there may be a number of other bodges electrical and otherwise to sort. 

Before giving the bike anymore opportunities for smoke events I would systematically check the wiring from tip to tail.  This will be a great way to familiarize yourself with the E system on this bike.

If you haven't found This Old Tractor yet, it will become your bible. 

Study the wiring diagram in this manual.

https://www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/workshop_manual_g5_sp.pdf

[DC950]

I'm in a similar situation on a 79 V1000 that, let us just say, was in far worse shape than was disclosed (or possibly understood by the elderly owner if I'm being charitable).  It was an electrical mess and I've spent around 40 hours straightening it out.  This includes 2 garages, the side of the road, next to a dumpster in an apartment complex, and a hotel parking lot.

That 2nd picture is the rectifier.  Is that where the magic smoke was let out?

Unless the existing harness is completely disconnected, you will not need to replace the entire thing to get the bike running.  But you will spend a lot of time on it. 

I'd recommend you get it running to see what you have before spending money on a harness.  Considering mine is now blowing gear oil all over the shaft and back off the gearbox and has an engine oil leak that shows up from the clutch bell housing, I'd been even more upset if I'd jumped to a new harness and spent even more money on this shitheap.

I intend to replace the harness connected to the front side of the Molex connector this winter.  After I fix the leaks. 

If I don't set it on fire to burn out some stumps in my yard...

[Dave Swanson]

For something easy to start with.  Drop the engine oil and then drop the pan.  Don't forget about the 4 long bolts toward the center of the pan.  The pan will need a nudge or 2 or 3 with a good soft hammer.  Don't get too aggressive with the blows.  Have a look around in the sludge.  Hopefully you won't find any bits that are worrisome.   Then get the sump hospital clean.