[donboze]

Hi. I've been looking for a motorcycle for several months now and reading this forum for about the same length of time. Needless to say, this forum influenced my purchase. I bought a GL650.



The trouble is, it isn't running. The guy I bought it from said he had it running last year and all it needs is to have the gas tank cleaned of rust inside. After talking to Phil in Lowgap NC I don't think that will be a big deal. I know there will be several other things to look at, but hopefully I can get it running.



One thing that has me concerned is there appears to be a pretty substantial oil leak. It looks like it is coming from around the shift lever shaft. I cleaned it real good, so hopefully I can tell for sure where it is coming from.



I'm not a mechanic and really have no experience, so I will most likely be relying on this forum and especially Phil since he lives so close.



Let me know if anyone has any thoughts on the oil leak.



Thanks,



Don

 

[SteveinPA]

There is a seal for the shifter that is easy to replace that might be bad. There is also a sump on the 650's that gas a gasket. Look underneath with a mirror and a light. The sump bolts might be loose or the gasket bad. The oil drain plug gasket might be bad. This is all easy stuff. Say hi to Phil! He is a GL650 daddy.

 

[donboze]

Thanks, Mr Softie. I was just reading a couple of threads about shifter seals. It's amazing what you can find when you simply search for it. I'll check out the other as well.



I was at Phil's yesterday and your name came up. I'll let him know you said hi.

 

[Blindstitch]

Sweet another Don.

 

[donboze]

Today was my day off so I worked on the gas tank and the front brakes.



The gas tank was a lot worse than I expected. What I thought was some pretty bad rust turned out to be the remnants of tank sealer. I read that acetone would dissolve the sealer so I poured some in. I'll try the restoration on it later.



The master cylinder is pretty bad, too. I'm still working on it, so I haven't decided if it will be a rebuild or a replacement.



I was hoping it wouldn't take much to get it running, but its a little more involved than that. But, I am enjoying working on it and I am learning a lot.

 

[Phil in Vermont]

Don, I have the Radio Flyer fuel tank still in the shed somewhere. Yours if you need it.

 

[donboze]

Phil,



I appreciate the offer. I may have to take you up on it. I've had acetone in the tank for over 24 hours and I still see quite a bit of the old liner. I'll give it another day.



Thanks,



Don

 

[rp1987]

Don, I have the Radio Flyer fuel tank still in the shed somewhere. Yours if you need it.

Do you know if the tanks are the same on the GL650 and the 650 Interstate? And if so, if nobody takes that tank would you want to sell it?

 

[DavidfromWisconsin]

Do you know if the tanks are the same on the GL650 and the 650 Interstate? And if so, if nobody takes that tank would you want to sell it?

The difference is the GLI doesn't have Honda on the side of the tank and the GL plain does.

 

[donboze]

Do you know if the tanks are the same on the GL650 and the 650 Interstate? And if so, if nobody takes that tank would you want to sell it?

Sorry rp1987. The Radio Flyer tank has been cleaned and is installed on my bike. (Thanks, Phil) I still have the old original one, but it really is a mess.