Topic: Early Goldwings

[Prospect]

I can't tell the difference between the 1975 goldwing and the 76 goldwing.  It's easy enough to tell the difference between the Standard and the LTD but I don't see much of a difference between the 75-76 standard models. 

Found this on the internet after some research.  So it would seem that the 75-76 look the same.  Is the only way to tell via the vin then???

1976 GL-1000 Standard - Candy Red or Solid Yellow (retail $2960 east, $2942 west)
1976 GL-1000 LTD - Candy Brown with Gold Rims & Spokes (retail $3295) only 2000 were imported to the USA

A new model marks the GoldWing's second year. The GL-1000 LTD joins the unchanged standard model, and features gold striping, special LTD sidecover badges, chromed radiator shroud and screen, quilt-pattern contoured seat, gold wheels and spokes, gold-stamped GL-1000 owner's manual, and leather key case. The LTD's front fender is slightly flared.

[Bankerdanny]

Physically there aren't a lot of differences for the 75-77 wire wheel bikes. There are slight differences in the cams and carbs, but otherwise they are all pretty much the same until they switched over to Comstar wheels in '78 and moved some of the gauges to the tank. There was an important change in '77 to tapered bearings in the headset.

This is a good site for reference info: http://www.gl1000.info/History.shtml

[Prospect]

Anyone have a link to a vin directory/lookup?

[fmctm1sw]

Here maybe?  http://ngwclub.com/forum/

[78 k550]

75 GL1-1000 serial #
76 GL1-2000
77 GL1-3000
78 GL1-4000
79 GL1-5000

The LTD has its own special #'s
the color changed, hard to tell because the skins could of been changed. You need to look at the vin.
The GL1 stands for 1000 and the # after the GL1-1  is for 75, GL1-2 is for 76 you see the pattern.

That's how you can tell.

Paul