Author Topic: Goldwings (Read 5742 times)

MILO · « **on:** May 31, 2012, 05:44:53 PM »

Howdy,

I'm just about to sell my '83 kawasaki GT550, and I'm now looking for something more suitable for long distance.

I've been thinking about a mid 70's goldwing.

What do you guys reckon about them? I'm not looking for performance at this stage, just a reliable bike which i can use as an everyday runner, and also take for long hauls around the country.

Greggo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2012, 06:05:37 PM »

The early 'wings are rock solid, aside from timing belt maintenance, and keeping the radiator system working properly. If you're really looking for more detailed info, check out one of the many Goldwing forums on the net.

MUwarrior · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2012, 07:35:40 PM »

The early Honda GL1000 Goldwings are a great bike. The first three years (1975, 76 & 77) were the best. Also, those years were considered the best looking. They were the second fastest production bike at that time. Only the Z1 was faster. They are somewhat heavy, but have a real low center of gravity so they don't feel heavy. That attribute makes them feel real solid when touring. Wind gusts don't have much of an effect. The last two years they made the GL1000, which was '78 & 79, Honda changed the cams and tuned them for more low end torque at the expense of high end performance. They did this to cater to the new "Touring" market which was just getting going for the Goldwing. Unfortunately, they also modified the styling of the bike in '78. Most opinions think it was for the worse.

I had a '76 GL1000 LTD. I didn't like the bike for in town commuting. It was a handful in stop and go traffic and heavy, but out on the back roads and highways it was great and a lot of fun. It loved to be thrashed and didn't miss a beat

. Prices vary based on condition, but prices go down as the year goes up. The '75's are starting to get hard to find in good condition and prices are higher. The 76 GL1000 LTD's and the Yellow '76's are the next in line for prices. '77's are next. If you can put up with the visual look of the '78 & 79 model year, they'll be the cheapest. Beware of bikes with aftermarket fairings, either mounted or formally mounted. They make a mess of the wiring harness. My advice is keep the bike "Naked".

As far as reliability, a well sorted GL1000 is mostly bullet proof. Timing belts are no big deal and should be changed about every 5 years. Carburetors on a bike that's been sitting will need to be gone through and cleaned. These bikes need to be run. They don't do well if they've been sitting. Other stuff to look out for is pretty common for most bikes so that should be nothing new. Cam chains can get noisy on higher milage bikes, but it's nothing to worry about. The chain is usually noisy at idle, but quiet down once the bike revs go up.

Hope that helps.

MILO · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2012, 03:15:36 AM »

Thanks for the info!

I'll be keeping an eye for for one, I wish we had similar prices for these old bikes as what you guys do in the states.

The only other bike I'd want is a suzuki GT750, but they are impossible to find here, and if you do find one they sell for premium prices.

Johnie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2012, 07:50:15 AM »

Do you want a early Wing because of the cost of a newer model? The reason I ask is if I was going to be driving all around the country I would want a newer bike. Parts are more readily available the the newer bikes a bit more reliable I would think. Not to mention the improvements to the 1500 and 1800 as compared to the 70's models. Watchout for the 80's Wings as they had some stator issues. Might want to check out www.gwrra.org That is the Goldwing site you could join. Not sure if you have to be a member to get on the For Sale section, but they have a lot for sale there. Good luck with your guest.

bert96 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2012, 02:57:03 PM »

...or this one!

http://www.ngwclub.com/

Bert

MILO · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:22:26 PM »

Thanks, I'll check those sites out.

I'm more interested in the early models for the look. The new ones with the dash boards from Apollo 13 are a big turn off for me lol.

The only issue i can see would be driving in traffic, I don't drive in the city so it's not bad i guess... just in the suburbs.

TwoBigCats · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2012, 05:06:13 AM »

steve saunders http://www.goldwingfacts.com is the best gl forum i'm aware of.

TwoBigCats · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2012, 05:07:52 AM »

Quote from: bert96 on June 01, 2012, 02:57:03 PM

...or this one!

http://www.ngwclub.com/

Bert

good site.

78 k550 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2012, 06:22:16 AM »

No you will not have any problem in traffic with a naked wing.
I ride mine everyday. bought it with 59,000 on it now it has 145,000 just swapped out original motor 4,000 miles ago. I just picked up a complete 77 for parts with a title for 240.00 Good luck on the find.
See ya over at http://www.ngwclub.com/
76 LTD's and sulfer yellow are very limited. If you do find one for a decent price pick it up.

Paul

MUwarrior · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2012, 03:54:29 AM »

Also do a Google search for "Randakk's" and check out his web site. He has lots of great tech tips listed on his site. Very informative & highly recommended.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2012, 04:56:55 AM »

I'm going to agree with Johnnie as far as reliability is concerned in a bike that old. I had an 83 Interstate for a couple of years after a complete restore. I was smart and changed the stator while the motor was out because the is the only way to do it. It seemed that I was always doing something to the bike and it got old so I bought a nearly new VStar.

On the plus side, the bike ran great and was very comfortable. There is a big aftermarket community in place and parts are pretty easy to get. I would say that they are expensive, but what parts aren't? They have a nice big fairing and that expands your riding season, and they are quiet, smooth. You can carry a gob of stuff around with you and listen to your tunes or XM radio. True for all Wings. Resale seems to hold up if you keep your part of the bargain. The Steve Saunders site is as active as a motorcycle forum can be and the people there are helpful, and extremely knowledgeable. You can't come up with something that someone there hasn't done and fixed.

All that being said, an old Gold Wing is a commitment, just as our old SOHCs and will require your time, patience and treasure.

This one was mine. It came with a driving instructor and a dog butt in the tailpipe.

welnamark · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:42:40 AM »

If you like the experience of touring on a vintage bike (as i do) the GL1000 is the way to go. I used to tour all over two up on my 78 550 and it never let me down but i needed a little more capacity to carry all the camping gear and everything else for me and my girlfriend for two plus weeks.

As previoulsy mentioned the NGW site is an EXCELLENT resource and helped me get mine ready for last years trip.

Here she is. (i like to post pictures whenever i can find an excuse). Rode her on a 3700 some mile tour last summer.

wedoo2 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2012, 05:17:30 AM »

What is that fairing from welnamark? That looks so cool. Very nice restore.

/Sorry for the thread hijack.

welnamark · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2012, 06:50:00 AM »

Thanks. Yeah........we'll keep this thead going in the proper direction for the OP which is early wings!!!!

The faring is a Vesco Rabid Transit.

Again, i would enthusiastically endorse these bikes as long distance tourers.

I covered 3750 miles in two weeks last summer.

Here is a link to more pictures and a brief ride report for those interested.

http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=36020

Go for it Milo. If you want a complete GL1000 better off to start that way as nice seats, grab rails, and expecially the exhaust, will get real expensive in a hurry.

Mark

K5owner · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2012, 01:06:08 PM »

Can't go wrong with an early Wing. I recently bought and fixed up a 77'. Great bike!

Here it is after 6+ weeks of work.

The Naked GoldWing site is super for info and help. Highly recommend it.
-link to NGW site with my 77' GL1000 Project http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=40398

Let us know what you get.

MILO · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2012, 03:59:49 AM »

Awesome, well I'm on the lookout for one at the moment.

And definitely a GL1000. I just sold my 1983 Kawasaki GT550 and that moolah is in the bike savings account for the goldwing hehe.

Pity they aren't as common here in Australia as they are in the States, all of these old honda's really, most of my cb550 is from the States lol.

I'll keep you posted anyway how i go, could be a while though I'm thinking, I want a complete bike that I can use, not a 2 year project like my cb550.

TwoBigCats · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2012, 05:25:13 AM »

Quote from: welnamark on June 05, 2012, 06:50:00 AM

Thanks. Yeah........we'll keep this thead going in the proper direction for the OP which is early wings ...
Here is a link to more pictures and a brief ride report for those interested.

http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=36020

nice thread, looks like it was a great trip.

Peterbylt · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2012, 08:49:41 AM »

A 70’s GL1000 is an excellent choice, Once you get them straighten out they will run forever with minimal maintenance, Tires, and oil changes. They do like to be run and don’t like sitting. If you let them sit for an extended amount of time you will have carb problems.

If you don’t know the history of the bike I would change the timing belts, the points (if it has not been changed to electronic ignition) and pull the differential to lube all the driveshaft connections and change the diff lube, make sure you grease the driveshaft and differential splines every time you change the rear tire, also change out the coolant to a non silicate type coolant. The engine although configured differently is still considered an SOHC4 and uses the same wasted spark ignition as the SOHC4’s and everything is mechanical, so easy to work on.

My 75 is about the smoothest bike I have ever ridden and quite fast. I acquired it after it had been sitting for 18 years although it looked nice I replaced all the rubber parts, seals, timing belts, tires and rebuilt the carbs (a couple of times before I got it right). The bike has run like a clock since. Very comfortable in only the way a Goldwing can be.

As nice as the 75 is if we are going to do any really long rides or extended touring (500 miles or more) we much prefer the 85 GL1200, definitely better for two up touring.

Peter

MILO · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:31:45 AM »

Very cool bike Peterbylt.

I'm looking at maybe importing one from the States to over here in Australia.
There aren't many around here, and people selling them want a fortune for them. there is one not far from me for sale at the moment, and he wants $3.5K for it, and it's not running, needs coils and a starter motor.

I'm wanting a totally stock standard GL1000, I have no clue where to start looking though in terms of importing... Do you guys anything or anyone in that scene? I'm keen to get a nice bike in the next 4-5 months, so I can go cruising during our summer

-Liam

MUwarrior · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2012, 06:40:27 AM »

Quote

I'm wanting a totally stock standard GL1000, I have no clue where to start looking though in terms of importing... Do you guys anything or anyone in that scene? I'm keen to get a nice bike in the next 4-5 months, so I can go cruising during our summer

Try contacting Pistol Pete. His web site is: http://www.oldwings.com/. He does restorations of older Hondas, and in the last year or so, he did a 'very early '75 GL1000 that he sold to a fellow who resides in Australia. He documented the restore and shipment to the owner on his web site. He even has photos from the owner after the bike arrived. You can find it in his "Quick Link" pull down menu on his web site. He refers to it as the"75 GL1000 "Aussie" for Australia." Hope that helps.

News:

Author Topic: Goldwings (Read 5742 times)