Topic: I believe that my 'Wang is the most Impressive bike ever made (by Honda in 1986)

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Andrew, and I didn't know that 'Wang was an early Subaru design, I've just learned something!

I've been doing some research on bleeding the air out of the system and you're right, it's a bastard! I drove it 119Km with the temp gauge's needle thru the roof (for what I paid for it, it would have been cheaper to risk blowing it up then getting a cab home) and I made it back to the mother in law's place without even blowing a head gasket.

When I fired it up an hour later it ran like a swiss watch, they really are an impressive little car! I did leave it there though and got a cab home as there are a lot of traffic lights between her place and mine, but next weekend I'll sort it out. Cheers, Terry.    

[trueblue]

They tend to crack heads before they blow gaskets.  But you need to really abuse them to do that.  I've had them come in bubbling like a billy and all you do is let them cool add coolant and send them on their way (after you fix the issue of course).  The thermostat is in the bottom hose, and they tend to get an air pocket above it.  You can remove the thermostat, cut out the jiggle pin and drill a couple extra holes around the outside of the thermostat.  This helps stop the air pockets a little .

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks for the tip Andrew, I was going to test the thermostat and make sure that it was OK as it's pretty easy to get to, so I might try that while I'm at it.

[RAFster122s]

My mom, I still want to say mom & dad since dad just died on 7/6...going to take a while to correct without thinking too much about it, has a Subaru Outback Eddie Bauer edition and it is pretty rugged but a cramped car for me. Tough to be comfortable in any seat being 6'4" tall...just don't have enough room under the wheel in driver's seat and less than no headroom when in the rear seat.
Cracking a head would be VERY expensive...so purge that air Terry.

David

[Stev-o]

Purge Terry Purge

[Peterbylt]

Although my 75 550f is the arguably the most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
When it comes to heading out touring for multiple weeks and multiple thousands of miles, the 550 gets a little short on space for me and the wife.
 
That’s where the WANG comes into its own and earns its place as the second most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
I liked my Wang so much that I now have multiple Wangs.
 


I have had them referred to by many names; my favorites are Couch Rocket and  Hondapotomas.
 
Nothing can match a wing loaded down with the wife and enough gear to survive for a month and still keep up with Crotch Rockets on the Tail of the Dragon.



Speaking of Gear you can carry enough crap on a Wang to clutter an entire multiple room motel suite without even trying.
 
Now a truly impressive feat is that I once carried 5 cases of beer entirely within the bags and trunk.
 
Terry, the wife agrees with you that the 1200 is the best bike ever made and for touring with passenger it probably is, but my vote would have to go with the 81 1100.

Peter 

[Terry in Australia]

My mom, I still want to say mom & dad since dad just died on 7/6...going to take a while to correct without thinking too much about it, has a Subaru Outback Eddie Bauer edition and it is pretty rugged but a cramped car for me. Tough to be comfortable in any seat being 6'4" tall...just don't have enough room under the wheel in driver's seat and less than no headroom when in the rear seat.
Cracking a head would be VERY expensive...so purge that air Terry.

David

G'Day Dave, sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, my father is 86 now and I know that he won't live forever, which is a shame, but I see him and Ma as often as I can. Condolences to you and your family mate.

I'm 6'4 and 300 pounds but with the seat all the way back and all the way down and with the steering wheel tilted all the way up I've got plenty of room, and the seat is pretty comfy. The biggest problem for me si that the car sits pretty low, so with a buggered back it's a bit of an effort to scrunch down to get in. I'm gonna put in a big effort to get the air out of the system this weekend, overheating cars piss me off!

[Terry in Australia]

Although my 75 550f is the arguably the most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
When it comes to heading out touring for multiple weeks and multiple thousands of miles, the 550 gets a little short on space for me and the wife.
 
That’s where the WANG comes into its own and earns its place as the second most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
I liked my Wang so much that I now have multiple Wangs.
 


I have had them referred to by many names; my favorites are Couch Rocket and  Hondapotomas.
 
Nothing can match a wing loaded down with the wife and enough gear to survive for a month and still keep up with Crotch Rockets on the Tail of the Dragon.



Speaking of Gear you can carry enough crap on a Wang to clutter an entire multiple room motel suite without even trying.
 
Now a truly impressive feat is that I once carried 5 cases of beer entirely within the bags and trunk.
 
Terry, the wife agrees with you that the 1200 is the best bike ever made and for touring with passenger it probably is, but my vote would have to go with the 81 1100.

Peter 

G'Day Pete, that's an impressive collection of 'Wang's you've got there, but where the pic of your (very impressive) 1200 Trike? Cheers, Terry.

[Robbnc]

Although my 75 550f is the arguably the most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
When it comes to heading out touring for multiple weeks and multiple thousands of miles, the 550 gets a little short on space for me and the wife.
 
That’s where the WANG comes into its own and earns its place as the second most impressive bike ever made (in my opinion).
 
I liked my Wang so much that I now have multiple Wangs.
 


I have had them referred to by many names; my favorites are Couch Rocket and  Hondapotomas.
 
Nothing can match a wing loaded down with the wife and enough gear to survive for a month and still keep up with Crotch Rockets on the Tail of the Dragon.



Speaking of Gear you can carry enough crap on a Wang to clutter an entire multiple room motel suite without even trying.
 
Now a truly impressive feat is that I once carried 5 cases of beer entirely within the bags and trunk.
 
Terry, the wife agrees with you that the 1200 is the best bike ever made and for touring with passenger it probably is, but my vote would have to go with the 81 1100.

Peter

Good to hear your vote for the 81!  I just picked up a non running 81 Wing with 31,000 miles for $200 on Saturday.  Don't know much about em but that was too good to pass up!

[Peterbylt]

Terry,
 
The Very Impressive 1200 Trike is undergoing some cosmetic surgery,
I’m giving her a Fat A$$, I have finally, with a little urging from the wife, decided to build a body on the back of the trike. The trunk alone was not enough for her carry the entire contents of the house around with her.
 
I should be done with this part of the project soon (within the next six months) and then paint; we are thinking, black much like yours.



Peter

[RAFster122s]

My mom, I still want to say mom & dad since dad just died on 7/6...going to take a while to correct without thinking too much about it, has a Subaru Outback Eddie Bauer edition and it is pretty rugged but a cramped car for me. Tough to be comfortable in any seat being 6'4" tall...just don't have enough room under the wheel in driver's seat and less than no headroom when in the rear seat.
Cracking a head would be VERY expensive...so purge that air Terry.

David

G'Day Dave, sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, my father is 86 now and I know that he won't live forever, which is a shame, but I see him and Ma as often as I can. Condolences to you and your family mate.

I'm 6'4 and 300 pounds but with the seat all the way back and all the way down and with the steering wheel tilted all the way up I've got plenty of room, and the seat is pretty comfy. The biggest problem for me si that the car sits pretty low, so with a buggered back it's a bit of an effort to scrunch down to get in. I'm gonna put in a big effort to get the air out of the system this weekend, overheating cars piss me off!

Thanks Terry. Dad was 83 and would commonly flip the numbers and tease he was only "38".

Pisst is the sound a coolant leak will make coming out under pressure and it would match the mood...

Nice enough car but with my long torso it doesn't give me much room. Brake pedal catches the edge of my shoe as I guess I am accustomed to less height for that pedal.
Mom & Dad had an accident mowing several years ago and Mom lost her right knee to the riding mower, so she has a titantium rod and right leg is permanently straight. So, she has hand controls in the Subi, restricts the room a bit under the wheel. Nice enough car and quick enough, just a little cramped.

[Terry in Australia]

Terry,
 
The Very Impressive 1200 Trike is undergoing some cosmetic surgery,
I’m giving her a Fat A$$, I have finally, with a little urging from the wife, decided to build a body on the back of the trike. The trunk alone was not enough for her carry the entire contents of the house around with her.
 
I should be done with this part of the project soon (within the next six months) and then paint; we are thinking, black much like yours.



Peter

That looks great Pete, I really wish I could pluck up the courage to build a trike, I read your build thread with interest, and I'd love to give it a crack one day, but hey I'm only 53, so plenty of time left, I guess. I think glossy black paint will blend well with that big shiny box on the back too! Cheers, Terry.

[Stev-o]

Well this thread has only made it to page 5 and is already showing signs of petering out (Pun intended).

What we need is some good banter, like the other very impressive thread. 

At the risk of getting flamed (doubtful), I must say my Z1 is much more impressive of your big black Wang!

This 1975 Kaw Z1 had a 0-60 time of 1.785 seconds, and here is the link, it's on the Internet so it must be true!


http://www.dragtimes.com/Kawasaki-Z1-Timeslip-18714.html


So come on King Wang, post up some slip times of a very impressive Wang!

[Stev-o]

Oh, and Good Evening Everyone, Someone, Anyone.

[trueblue]

This 1975 Kaw Z1 had a 0-60 time of 17.85 seconds, and here is the link, it's on the Internet so it must be true!

FTFY

[Stev-o]

This 1975 Kaw Z1 had a 0-60 time of 17.85 seconds, and here is the link, it's on the Internet so it must be true!

FTFY

Actually, you didn't unless you can post a link to back up your claim.

The Z is more impressive than Terry's Wang.   Where is he anyway? Must be working on that Suburu?

[brooze72]

This 1975 Kaw Z1 had a 0-60 time of 17.85 seconds, and here is the link, it's on the Internet so it must be true!

FTFY

Wow, I think even my awesome 500 can beat that time.  Who knew the Z1 was such a slug?

[Peterbylt]

GoldWing 1/4 mile times in seconds

1975 GL 1000 12.95
1980 GL 1100 standard 13.18
1986 GL 1200 interstate 12.67
1985 GL 1200 LTD 12.88
1988 GL 1500 13.06
1996 Valk standard 12.37
2001 GL 1800 12.87
2004 GL 1800 12.71

[Stev-o]

GoldWing 1/4 mile times in seconds

1975 GL 1000 12.95
1980 GL 1100 standard 13.18
1986 GL 1200 interstate 12.67
1985 GL 1200 LTD 12.88
1988 GL 1500 13.06
1996 Valk standard 12.37
2001 GL 1800 12.87
2004 GL 1800 12.71

Z:     1/4 Mile ET:   11.198


Very impressive!

[Peterbylt]

Good to hear your vote for the 81!  I just picked up a non running 81 Wing with 31,000 miles for $200 on Saturday.  Don't know much about em but that was too good to pass up!

Robnnc,

Sounds like a nice bike at a great price, you should be pretty happy with it when done.

Post some pictures and possibly a build topic when you get working on it.

This is the build page the wife put together when I was building my 1100.

http://www.peterbylt.com/goldwing.htm

Peter

[Terry in Australia]

GoldWing 1/4 mile times in seconds

1975 GL 1000 12.95
1980 GL 1100 standard 13.18
1986 GL 1200 interstate 12.67
1985 GL 1200 LTD 12.88
1988 GL 1500 13.06
1996 Valk standard 12.37
2001 GL 1800 12.87
2004 GL 1800 12.71

Wow! That means that my 'Wang was the fastest 4 cylinder Goldwing on the 1/4 mile, ever!

Z:     1/4 Mile ET:   11.198

Very impressive!

Hey Steve, you know I'm a fan of the Z1, but I don't remember any stock Z1 doing a sub 12 second quarter mile, most reports I ever saw recorded mid 12 second 1/4's, so I'm wondering if that was a "one off"? Don't get me wrong, I loved my Z1, but compared to my mighty 'Wang, your Z1 pales into insignificance..............

 

[Robbnc]

Thanks for the link Peter. That's exactly the same way mine looks, rolling frame and a pile of parts! I did determine today that the engine is not locked up. The starter however is toast. I look forward to getting this one going for those trips that exceed my CB 466F back endurance!


Robnnc,

Sounds like a nice bike at a great price, you should be pretty happy with it when done.

Post some pictures and possibly a build topic when you get working on it.

This is the build page the wife put together when I was building my 1100.

http://www.peterbylt.com/goldwing.htm

Peter
[/quote]

[Terry in Australia]

Pretty quiet in "Wang Town" tonight, I think my mighty 'Wang is so impressive it's scared off it's detractors, is that a tumble-weed rolling past, or is that Stev-o pushing his Z1 home with his tail between his legs?

[dhall57]

 6'4" and 300 lbs sounds like you've been eating plenty of meat and taters Terry You need a impressive bike like your Wang to carry a big fella like you around But Marica says you'll have to slim down some before she does any riding on your Wang. Maybe I need to word that last sentence a little different. This is a G rated forum after all. Hahaha!!

[RAFster122s]

Stev-o's Z1 is not rolling at the moment. I know because I have the rear hub in my possession polishing it. He is rebuilding the rear wheel to stock 18 inch rim size.
It is much larger and heavier than the cb550 rear hub.

So, he is enjoying his CB550 instead of his impressive and mighty Z1.

I am behind schedule or he would have it back this weekend for the reassembly.