Author Topic: Goldwings ???  (Read 85822 times)

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Offline dhall57

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Goldwings ???
« on: March 24, 2013, 08:12:35 AM »
I love my 2 CB750's, the KO and K6. My wife wants to start riding some with me again and she wants to be comfortable. Both of us aren't as young as we use to be ;D. And two up on either 750 leaves a little to be desired for the passenger on rides of any distance. Of course I'm old school so I'm looking at GW's in the 75-79 years(GL1000). 1975-77 the body design and engine was pretty much the same, but 78-79 there was some design changes and also engine mods. Don't like the full touring set up with large fairing, bags, trunk, and all the lights. Like more of the naked look (has they say in GW talk). If anything just a windshield and bags that could be easily put on and removed when not needed. Any of you GW owners have any opinions of what years you like better and why. The more pics I look at I think I favor the look of the 78-79 with the gauges mounted on tank and the comstar wheels. Went and checked out a 75 GL1000 yesterday that was near by and was disappointed. Picture of bike looked nicer than it really was, that never happens does it ::) I've checked out some of the GW sites and they have some good info, but wanted to check here to.
 
« Last Edit: March 24, 2013, 09:15:30 AM by dhall57 »
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide

Offline kghost

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2013, 03:11:17 PM »
I've had a couple or so over the years.

As you've mentioned, 75-76 spoked wheels 77-79 comstars.

Not a huge difference 77 to 79.

They haul two up rather well.

Carbs can be an issue if they have't been kept clean and in good repair. Also if they have not been jetted after exhaust mod's.

Cam belts need replacing every so often. Make sure whatever you get has a decent set or change them.

I'm sure terry will be along w more tips. He currently has one.
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2013, 04:12:52 PM »
Hall...mine is the 2000 model which is the last year they had the 1500. Needed the room for travel and the hard bags and truck provided that. So comfortable my wife falls a sleep on it. Told her I will be using a bungee so she does not fall off. Anyway, I drove a 70's Wing and I have to say it was very comfortable and the handling was real nice. I have a friend selling a 1975 Wing if you want pics. The 1975 is the first year of the Wing and that would be the 1000cc model. You may want to keep away from the early 1980's as they had some stator issues. If you want the real scoop contact chickenman on the board. He is the expert on the Goldwing here. He may even know of a few for sale. PS...I know for a fact that Marcia loves a man with a Wing...maybe you can get lucky. ;D
« Last Edit: March 24, 2013, 04:15:03 PM by Johnie »
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline kghost

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2013, 04:42:56 PM »
Handle really nice? I'd disagree with that.

They handle ok. All the 75-78 benefit from a fork brace.

Big bike and skinny fork tubes.
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Offline Prospect

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2013, 05:15:58 PM »
I heard that the 75 when it came out was the fastest thing one the street (unmodified).  Any truth?
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2013, 06:26:03 PM »
Handle really nice? Well, what are you comparing it too? If you are comparing it to a 350, 450, 550, 650, 750 then of course you are not comparing apples to apples. The 75 I drove felt pretty nice for a 1,000. Granted, my 1500 does not handle as easy as my 750...but then again that is to be expected. I can do a much easier figure 8 on the 750 than I can on the Wing. But that is the nature of the bike. I did not buy it for the handling. I bought it for the comfort of long distance travel for me and my passenger. Guess you have to decide hall which you are looking for...handling or comfort as compared to your 750's.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2013, 06:28:32 PM by Johnie »
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline MoMo

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2013, 06:37:25 PM »
I heard that the 75 when it came out was the fastest thing one the street (unmodified).  Any truth?


I set up and then test rode the first Wing that came into Riff's Cycle, at the time my seat of the pants impression is that it was the fastest bike I had ever ridden. Check ngwclub.com for inspiration...Larry

Offline 78 k550

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2013, 08:22:35 PM »
I heard that the 75 when it came out was the fastest thing one the street (unmodified).  Any truth?

Second fastest.
Only thing faster was the Z1-900

75-77 are the quickest.
75-77 spoked rims, 78-79 comstars.
78-79 They did a few carb changes for emissions and tuned down the cams.
1100 all round great bikes.
1200's had stator problems in the early years.


Paul
« Last Edit: March 24, 2013, 08:27:27 PM by 78 k550 »
Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline chickenman_26

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2013, 08:03:11 AM »
My wife wants to start riding some with me again and she wants to be comfortable. Both of us aren't as young as we use to be ;D.
I hear that! PM answered.

Stu O
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Offline rb550four

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2013, 11:52:37 AM »
Been seeing tons of wings around for sale. reasonably priced too. Was thinking of manning up to a full sized machine recently but I'm 175 lbs ,usually ride alone , and like having the ability to manipulate the ride of the machine while in motion, you know, in case of  emergency kind of movements like powerslides, skids and crossups  in general. Do you think that there is such a thing as being too light for a larger machine ? I was thinking that  muscling around all that weight may just beat me up . I have nothing to base this on as I've only ridden smaller machines . Would that be true? Or have I been missing out on something spectacular?
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
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  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline MoMo

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2013, 11:55:37 AM »
rb,  once you get going the Wing is easy to handle.  I was 140(quite awhile ago) and had no trouble once under way....Larry

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2013, 12:23:58 PM »
You could get a naked Wing through at least '83. But once the Interstate and Aspencade models came out Honda didn't sell many plain ones.

I am partial to the wire wheel 75-77 models, which is why I bought mine. Since I had touring in mind I was looking for a bike with a fairing and bags. Parts are generally easy to find and not expensive, but like good 4-4 pipes for SOHC4's, replacement mufflers are getting very hard to find and very expensive.

My advice would be to look for a bike that doesn't need carb work. My experience is that they are fiddly and a pain in the ass to work on and it's worth several hundred dollars more for a bike that runs well and doesn't need carb cleaning.

When the bike is running right they are amazing. Smooth as silk, all the power you need, and ready to eat up a few hundred miles any time you are. between the wind protection from my Vetter and the smooth engine I have found myself doing 80 more than once without realizing it.

Plus, the Goldwing community is very active and the NGWclub forum is almost as good as this one.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Johnie

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2013, 02:28:51 PM »
Yah, if you keep them balanced you will be fine. If you start to lose the center of gravity it gets heavier as it gets closer to the ground. :)
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline kghost

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2013, 02:36:14 PM »
As previously mentioned, carbs.

I took my first set apart 6 times for cleaning, jetting, etc before I was happy.

Not exactly a noob at doing carbs either.

The weight is relative. Throw a pillion on the back of my intruder and the bike is pushing 1000 lbs. so it outweigh's me about 5 - 1
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2013, 03:47:17 PM »
I've had mine off at least 6 times in the past 18 months. Still not quite there. But I am confident I will get them dialed in this year. It just needs to stop snowing here in Chicago so I can get it out of storage and take it down to my sister's for its Spring service and to install the goodies I have accumulated this Winter (new exhaust manifolds and a Gerex Multifire electronic ignition). Of course, I need to finish rebuilding and reinstall my front brake calipers first.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Prospect

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #15 on: March 28, 2013, 01:31:57 PM »
Can someone compare the comfort level on a Cb750 vs. Golwing (75-77).
Current Bikes

1969 CB750  Sandcast #256
1971 CB750K1
1972 CB750K1
1975 CB400F
1975 GL1000 Goldwing
1954 Harley Davidson Panhead
1957 Harley Davidson Panhead

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Offline MoMo

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #16 on: March 28, 2013, 01:39:21 PM »
Can someone compare the comfort level on a Cb750 vs. Golwing (75-77).


The Wing is way smoother, especially at higher speeds(ABOVE 80)...Larry

Offline Kevin D

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #17 on: March 28, 2013, 02:05:21 PM »
Also note new F6B, kinda like a Valkyrie but way closer to a Wing.

I rode my pals Wing for a 25 mile leg of a 250 mile ride, there is no comparison in the comfort level.
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Offline kghost

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #18 on: March 28, 2013, 02:39:36 PM »
The goldwing will feel more stable two up.

Bit more power and better highway gearing.

I've owned both 750's and 75-78 wings. The goldwing is more comfortable on the highway.

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Offline 78 k550

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #19 on: March 28, 2013, 09:23:03 PM »
You will love an early Wing.

You could get a naked Wing through at least '83. But once the Interstate and Aspencade models came out Honda didn't sell many plain ones.

I am partial to the wire wheel 75-77 models, which is why I bought mine. Since I had touring in mind I was looking for a bike with a fairing and bags. Parts are generally easy to find and not expensive, but like good 4-4 pipes for SOHC4's, replacement mufflers are getting very hard to find and very expensive.

My advice would be to look for a bike that doesn't need carb work. My experience is that they are fiddly and a pain in the ass to work on and it's worth several hundred dollars more for a bike that runs well and doesn't need carb cleaning.

When the bike is running right they are amazing. Smooth as silk, all the power you need, and ready to eat up a few hundred miles any time you are. between the wind protection from my Vetter and the smooth engine I have found myself doing 80 more than once without realizing it.

Plus, the Goldwing community is very active and the NGWclub forum is almost as good as this one.

84 1200 std was the last year for a naked wing.
I have had my carbs off 2 times on the 75 bought it with 59,xxx now has almost 160. I checked the synch once and was good to go.
Of course when they did clog on me 18 miles outside Torrington last year from sturgus was no fun.
didn't rebuild them just cleaned the float screen's.

Paul
« Last Edit: March 28, 2013, 09:29:09 PM by 78 k550 »
Paul
Littleton, CO

76/77 CB 750F, 
75 GL1000, (AKA GL1-242 NGWClub),
76 GL1000 LTD
84 GL1200 Standard
6 Bultaco's= 42, 49, 121, 152, 167, 188

Offline dhall57

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #20 on: March 29, 2013, 02:42:03 AM »
Still got Wing fever. The more pics I see and info I read about the more I want one in my stable with my 750's. The loaded 80-85 Wings a plentiful. The naked ones of those years are out there, but the 75-77 naked bikes are the ones I really like are much fewer and far between.
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide

Offline MoMo

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #21 on: March 29, 2013, 04:27:19 AM »
Still got Wing fever. The more pics I see and info I read about the more I want one in my stable with my 750's. The loaded 80-85 Wings a plentiful. The naked ones of those years are out there, but the 75-77 naked bikes are the ones I really like are much fewer and far between.


Keep looking,  it seems as though most of the early Wings have been snatched up by members of the NGW club(but that should be in the pissed off thread, right?)...Larry

Offline bert96

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #22 on: March 29, 2013, 09:59:41 AM »


I know it's very far from you but there's one here with lillte millage and good price...

http://www.lespac.com/vehicules/motos/cacouna-station/d-honda-gl-1000-ltd-antique-LPaZZ27032833WWcpZZ175WWgrZZ12



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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #23 on: March 29, 2013, 11:35:53 AM »
3 800.00 $  ??
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Offline ZanVooden

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Re: Goldwings ???
« Reply #24 on: March 29, 2013, 12:59:40 PM »
$3800 Actually seems a little low for that one. It is a 1976 LTD model. There were 2000 shipped to the US, not sure how many to Canada. They can go for big money.

I've got an LTD that I've been restoring. Just got the panels back from my painter. I rode my from Wisconsin to Sturgis last year. Way more comfortable than a 750. Just hummed along the interstate, and was then great riding through the hills out there.