Topic: What do you have to do to warm up to Wings?

[rb550four]

  So last year I picked up an 1100, it's a this spring project. I think that I should like them, and really want to like them but the more I look at it ,the more on the fence I am about them. Never rode one, they seem to have allot of extra stuff on them.... not like a sports car,more like a limo . Just don't know what to think about them, they kinda seem like a fancy truck in some ways.
  I started a Pinterest board a while back trying to find some inspiration, still not  inspired yet.
 The one thing I always hear is dependable. That's always a good thing.Then I start looking at the engine . Water cooled, thermostats, radiators and hoses...never owned a bike that wasn't air cooled. Could get used to that , maybe.
  Belts to change, only around each 30kmiles . one or two times of that wouldn't be that bad really.
Mine has a windjammer and boxes. Usually it's the first thing off any bike that shows up here. I want to believe it's attractive on a big machine...but it just reminds me of a big woman in an ugly dress. Have to stop these hands from grabbing the wrenches and removing this stuff every time I see it.
  Then there's this fake gas tank...a glove box.. or whatever. Trying to get past this thing that looks like it should hold fuel ,but doesn't. I mean , shouldn't something that size have a better use than someplace to hide the air filter? A refrigerator maybe , a urinal, I just don't know but seems like a waste somehow.
  Then there's all these individual carbs, why ? Isn't this a great engine for a four barrel high-rise set up or similar? Or a 2 barrel on each side?
Is this one of those things in life that you have to ride to fall in love with? Don't look at it in the daytime and use lower wattage light bulbs in the evenings? Having a hard time finding anything sexy about it. Yeah , I've had ugly girlfriends before. There 's ways around some of these things. Could put a bag over the windjammer and ride her cross country. At this point , not sure if I want to see it naked.
  Hoping to warm up to it, wondering if  anyone here has and loves the Wing and why. I don't want to come off as superficial or shallow, just need to know if it's worth the heartache, will she be worth taking a chance on?
 

[05c50]

I guess the GL has to be appreciated for what it is, a very well designed bike for the time. The engine was designed to run smoothly, get good fuel economy, have a wide power band. The brakes were designed to stop the bike - triple disc - not very common in the early seventies. Handling would be comparable or better than most bikes being made at the time - the engine and fuel tank were low in the frame causing the center of gravity to be closer to the ground which helped to make it feel lighter than it was.
  You seem to question the timing belts -  very uncommon in the seventies, but very common in the auto industry. Also the fact that it has four individual carbs.........if you own any CBs, I would think that you are familiar with multiple carbs. Your bike has a Vetter fairing? yes they are ugly and Honda didn't put it there.....take it off.
   The reliability is a well known fact. I personally know of many GLs with over two hundred thousand miles on them, in fact one that has four hundred thousand miles and is edging up on a half a million.
    The "glove box" provides nothing but convenience, must be why so many people buy tank bags.
Yes, bikes can be ugly, but like they say "in the eye of the beholder". As you may have guessed, I'm a little slanted in my views.



...........Paul
 

[Stev-o]

What ever you have to do to warm up, it will never happen to me.

I was looking over my buddies and all I could think of was "that thing is huge!" And fully dressed,  it's a pain to work on, takes an hour and a half to pull "the dress" so you can get to the bike.

[ofreen]

I'd say if you don't like them now odds are good you'll never 'warm up' to it. Kind of like old VW Beetles, you either love them or could care less, not much middle ground. Years back I had the 'opportunity' to work on several, including a blue 1100 that got passed around more than Courtney Love. Never looked forward to working on them. I don't like the way they ride either, but as always, different strokes for different folks.

[Greggo]

They are big, low slung beasts...but I sort of like 'em.  Can't say I've owned one (my dad did when I was a kid), so I can't say much about working on them.  I sure wouldn't mind having one that sounded like this though:

[dusterdude]

Join the classic goldwings forum

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[Lostboy Steve]

I'd say if you don't like them now odds are good you'll never 'warm up' to it. Kind of like old VW Beetles, you either love them or could care less, not much middle ground. Years back I had the 'opportunity' to work on several, including a blue 1100 that got passed around more than Courtney Love. Never looked forward to working on them. I don't like the way they ride either, but as always, different strokes for different folks.

There's a name I haven't heard in a long, long time. Good analogy. I've never ridden one, but I should as hell would given the opportunity.


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[70CB750]

dhall57 got one, here is a discussion:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,119387.0.html

I remember reading that it is smooth and does not get blown around when passing a truck.

[Gene]

I'd say if you don't like them now odds are good you'll never 'warm up' to it. Kind of like old VW Beetles, you either love them or could care less, not much middle ground. Years back I had the 'opportunity' to work on several, including a blue 1100 that got passed around more than Courtney Love. Never looked forward to working on them. I don't like the way they ride either, but as always, different strokes for different folks.

I've never ridden one, but I should as hell would given the opportunity.

Courtney Love or the Wing?

[Desert-SOHC]

I had a 76 all dolled up, fairing, trunk and bags, CB/Radio, custom paint and upholstery. Heck it had EVERY Markland accessory on it that was ever made, and came with a 5' x 8' clamshell trailer painted to match.  It had 120K on it and a booklet of service receipts from the 1st owner who traded it in on a new one. It was cheap, ugly, and dirty when I bought it off the dealership and rode it home. Completely disassembled all the bodywork, cleaned and polished everything, rewired all the added lights and installed switches for them. Put 70K on that bike before I sold it....it was my intro into serious touring machines. I've had a full dress ever since except for the past 2 years.

There made to EAT miles...and that they do well. I could do 600+ miles a day on that in about 8 hours or so, including lunch and occasional stops, without a hitch and fresh at the end.

[rb550four]

  A friend of mine stopped in yesterday. He's looking to by a mid sized machine, he's on a small Kaw now, guess he wanted to sit on a 550 and check out the fit.  He wants to do some long miles, cross country or something. He's over 6 foot tall and heavier than me, I told him he might be better off on a larger bike, like a 750.
 Said he just stopped by to see if there was anything in the barn that would fit.....don't know why, he knows I don't sell any of them. So we walk into the barn and says "You have a Goldwing", I say yes , then he says pointing at the windjammer, "Rich, you got to take that off !' 
    This whole time it was those aftermarket windscreen and boxes that has had me on the fence , and maybe not the bike itself. I've been trying not to take that stuff off because I'll need them when I ride cross country....screw em , they're just ugly. The rest of the machine is in good shape.  Naked is the way for me. I think.   Well I'll just save the ugly boxes for the long ride.
 05c50's machines look great naked. Nice seats , gauges, no bulky boxes great inspiration bikes...they look like real motorcycles,  something I'd want to ride. Yeah , I'm gonna find me some wrenches and get naked.
 Need to find a headlight  and mounts next, that'll be a good start on a plan of action.
   Thanks guys, I overthought this, I was so disappointed with the ugly part that the entire thing was looking ugly to me and  I was overlooking the good part.

[eigenvector]

See when someone talks about doing a custom job on one of these bikes I typically cringe, but the two in the photo from the 2nd post to me are excellent custom jobs.  They really look nice.

[Mr. Mike]

I have to say, "I like 'em". I understand what you mean about belts and hoses, but don't we find ourselves learning some of the basics of any machine we own? Just takes time. The pre 77's are my favorite, but the Interstate up till maybe 82 can look sharp naked. I've gone to look at two in the last oh...three months and I swear if I find a good runner and the price is right...I'm gonna need that three car garage reeeal soon.
You mentioned "mounts" as well as a headlamp...do you mean the mounting ears for the headlight? If so, you just might find them folded inwards into the original headlight bucket behind that fairing. The biggest headache I hear of this model is the stator. I believe I've heard it said the motor has to come out to service or replace it. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that.

[dhall57]

   just need to know if it's worth the heartache, will she be worth taking a chance on?
 

Damn right these bikes are rb. I never had a GW or rode one until I got mine and what a smile it put on my face. Don't like the loaded down Wings, but I love my naked 77 GL1000 . Is it a gorgeous bike to look at, well compared to my CB750's  no not really. But on a ride of any distance my a$$ will be on the Wang no question. Comfortable, smooth, and quiet and plenty fast for this 59 year old. That's all it takes for me to warm up to mine. 

[mystic_1]

I have always liked the look of a well-done "naked Wing".

mystic_1

[Bankerdanny]

Riding definitely makes a difference. The combination of power and exceptional engine smoothness really is terrific.

I will say though that you never forget how big it is, particularly if it is a fully dressed bike, whether that means a later Hondaline equipped Interstate/Aspencade or an early Vetter bike.

If you spend most of your time on B roads or riding around town, you will probably never really enjoy a 'Wing, particularly one with a fairing and bags on it. Trust me, I went from a 550 to a dressed '77 'Wing, so I speak from experience.

But on a highway or fast 2 line with sweeping turns and the 'Wing comes into its own. The mirrors are crystal clear, passing a car or semi is a twist of the throttle away no matter how fast you are going. You never feel like you are going to run out of power.

I would own another 'Wing, but only if I also had a smaller 550 or 650 too.

[dirtdawg]

check this facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/45556886295/

 

[RAFster122s]

The naked wings are the way to go I think, but, I would not hesitate to put the very nice designed fairing that makes a wing downright transformed. The Rabid Transit.
Find a pic of one in that fairing with touring screen and lowers and you can enjoy the touring miles with one up or two up without the sore aches of most other bike. What other bike can wear a king & queen seat and look OK?
it doesn't look out of place and you might like the support it has.
The power is there and it can be a pretty quick bike off the line if you want to scoot. It can cruise at 100 if you have the place for it. The clear fairing shield would be the second look I would consider if you were doing a trip to remove the buffeting that wears you out on long rides.
the shorter screen can be fitted on the rabid transit for a different look.
 The RT is a pricey fairing amongst the BMW ranks so, pick them up off season they have gone as cheap as 300-450. But, they typically run around 600, or 1000 at the bmw variants. The lowers and mounts are all that are different.

The timing belts can be bought at your local NAPA or well sourced auto parts store.
The CV carbs can be fiddly and damn frustrating unless you tear them down and thoroughly clean in an industrial ultrasonic and chasing their holes in jets with a numbered drill in a pin vice can remove any recaltraint white hard deposits. Larry Cargill over on CX /GL forums or Randakk site can get you rebuilders who do good work. The pressed in jets on some of the CV carbs are really PITA and don't go near them with a easyout...disaster more times than not.
The clean CV carb is a good setup. Or if you have deep pockets then switch to Mikunis

[dusterdude]

Screw 4 carbs,single carb that bad boy

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[Desert-SOHC]

Put a 2 barrel Weber on it or a Solex 34pict3! 

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I like mine, mega-dressed! 

[RAFster122s]

So, you want a high rise single carb setup to rise up between your legs, am I reading that right?
I guess you are considering water injection for more power?
?...high flow setup I would imagine you have in mind?

[Wobbly]

Handling would be comparable or better than most bikes being made at the time

If I think of early GW (available first as 75 model), I think of a wobbly bike (which would fit my name here although the origin is quite different). The handling of the initial bike was disastrous and could be deadly. The heavy weight made the bike very unstable when cornering and not everyone was able to keep it under control. At high speeds (Autobahn), if fitted with a fairing (Windjammer), one could also lose control over the bike which also resulted in crashes, some of them being deadly. 

[05c50]

Handling would be comparable or better than most bikes being made at the time

If I think of early GW (available first as 75 model), I think of a wobbly bike (which would fit my name here although the origin is quite different). The handling of the initial bike was disastrous and could be deadly. The heavy weight made the bike very unstable when cornering and not everyone was able to keep it under control. At high speeds (Autobahn), if fitted with a fairing (Windjammer), one could also lose control over the bike which also resulted in crashes, some of them being deadly. 

Really? I own a 75 (the green one in the picture) as well as other bikes of the same era and modern era, and I find that it handles very well. I live in an area that has many hilly and twisty roads and find that it will perform with the best of them. I don't ride with a fairing, but cruising at high speed is a dream. You mention the weight, how heavy do you think a 75 wing is? Maybe you just owned a bad one, or maybe you never owned one and you're only repeating the cries of jealous BMW owners of the time.

.....Paul

[Wobbly]

Really? I own a 75 (the green one in the picture) as well as other bikes of the same era and modern era, and I find that it handles very well. I live in an area that has many hilly and twisty roads and find that it will perform with the best of them. I don't ride with a fairing, but cruising at high speed is a dream. You mention the weight, how heavy do you think a 75 wing is? Maybe you just owned a bad one, or maybe you never owned one and you're only repeating the cries of jealous BMW owners of the time.

.....Paul

Yes, really.  The horrible suspension brought law suits on Honda at the time. A friend of mine died after he lost control of a GW on the Autobahn--not immediately, but suddenly dropped dead a week later due to brain damage and despite wearing a helmet during the accident. I "imagine"  a dry weight of 584 pounds (265 kg). How about you? Cursory inspection of the literature at the time supports my impression regarding its poor handling. Perhaps, you are simply such a superior rider? Or, perhaps your "twisty roads" look a little different than the ones here. No speed limit either. Or, "maybe" you just don't know everything. Naah, that can't be.

Good luck here with your 75 GW. I think, I take the 75 Laverda instead.

[tbpmusic]

"What do you have to do to warm up to Wings? "

Just ride one for a little while............disregard other folks' comments until you ride one.
Yep, they're heavy, yep 4 carbs are a pain, but they're easy enough to adjust.

I agree that the current behemoths are a bit excessive though.
I had an '81 Necked Wing 1100, it was a wonderful bike in all respects. The bike is still running well today.
If you hear they don't handle well, watch some of the YouTube videos of guys blasting through the Dragon's Tail on full-dress 1800's.

[rb550four]

  I left the 3 Vetter bags and giant white windscreen on the 83 wing all winter in the event that one day in passing by it , I may come to the realization that this set up is both grand and attractive. I've been walking past it regularly.  It just didn't take.
   As I was walking passed it today, I got this warm feeling about it. Yep it was 65 degrees and that bullsh1t is coming off! It didn't take long to get her naked. And I like it .
    I haven't handled a wrench for a bit and I thought perhaps I was loosing my drive. No pills , no creams and I'm excited to go to work on her.
 The plan is to change the belts ,waterpump, fork seals,change fluids,filters, a good tank cleaning, new battery,check brakes, and a good carb cleaning. It hasn't been on the road for a while.
   While it's getting taken down I see spot rusting on the frame here and there....maybe just break it all down , blast and paint the frame while I'm there. The body panels are okay on it maybe a scratch here or there, but no dents and polishes well. There's some chipped paint on the engine, may do something about that too. The aluminum parts don't have much of a shine about them , and could really use a nice buffing.
 Sounds like the 1st project to do this year. I think I'm warming up to it already. I'm feeling committed to the project now.

[6adan]

I am a little late to this but I thought I would show you a couple of my GL. I guess you could say I like them. The 2nd and 4th pic is the after pic of the 1st and 3rd, the before and after.

[Head]

If so then some thing was wrong with the bike,pre factory fairings. I own the 92nd one built, Not and never was wobbly. I'am not aware where Honda had any lawsuits on this subject. But I can only speak for the models 75-79 all pre factory fairing days.

[RAFster122s]

If Wobbly were near you RB, I would half way wonder if he was going to relieve you of that burden of it possibly being a danger to you...he would sacrifice and buy that doomed project from you...

Insert tongue firmly in cheek before reading or re-reading the above...

Best of luck on the project. She'll keep you busy on those Saturdays when in the shop.  You do ride them sometimes don't you?

David

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, it's interesting reading posts from guys with opinions that are polar opposite, and probably slightly exaggerated at either end as well.

I've had 2 'Wing's, a 1975 GL1000 in the early 1980's and I still have my 1986 GL1200 Interstate, and know first hand that they're all great bikes. Subaru (as I found out from another member here) designed the engine, not Honda, and that makes perfect sense, Subaru made their name on smooth, reliable water cooled "Boxer" engines, and if you've ever had either engine apart, you'd see the similarities. I often wonder why there aren't more Subaru WRX powered Goldwings out there.

They're not great handling bikes. They're big and heavy, and the early ones had crap suspension. Of course, with their cylinders out in the breeze, they didn't have a lot of cornering clearance either, but going around corners fast isn't their forte. (yes, I've seen the guy on the GL1800 doing the "Tail of the Dragon", but he's a brilliant rider on a GL1800, not an early wing)

Out on the highway, where they were always meant to be, they are a smooth, extremely comfy mile eater. The fairing haters here are guys who think a long ride is a 20 mile round trip to the lake to snap a pic of their bike to post in the "What did you do to your bike today" thread, who have never ridden far enough to appreciate what that big barn door fairing does for you when it's pissing down rain on a 500 mile ride. Yeah, they're the same squeezers that call them "Two Wheeled Cars", as they drive past on their daily commute, in their Mazda's and Toyota's.

I like big bikes, but I'm a big guy and I'm not frightened of big heavy bikes. I've also got a Triumph Rocket III that weighs more than my 'Wing, and has 2300cc's of grunt that propels it from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds, but like a Goldwing, it doesn't really enjoy mixing it with sportsbikes in the twisties.

There's no such thing as a "Jealous BMW owner" though, compare the price of a BMW R90S to a 1st series Goldwing, and you'll understand why. Oh, I've owned 7 BMW's, and still own a 1989 K100RS SE and a 1995 R1100GS, so I'm not talking out of my arse, like some of the "couch racers" here.

I've recently bought a Yamaha FJR1300, which is so good I just donated my Goldwing and Yamaha FJ1200 to charity. The FJR1300 is the best of both worlds, it's a very comfy "500 mile per day" bike that also goes around corners, is a rocket in a straight line, and perfectly stable at 150 MPH. But I digress, Goldwings are what they are, and their beauty lies in their function, not their form. If you're so shallow that you can't see that, then pass it on to someone who'll love it. Cheers, Terry.    

[dhall57]

I just donated my Goldwing   

No more Wang. Say it ain't so Terry

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, sadly it's true Dwight, Cliff (Maduncle here) runs a charity called "Good Deed Garage". People donate their motorcycles and he cleans them up and raffles them off for charity.

I had a job change 8 months ago and the new job pays well, so I've bought the Harley, the BMW R1100GS, an early 1970 CB750K1, and a low numbers diecast 1969 CB750K0, not to mention another 2 complete CB750 engines and a ton of parts.

Trouble is, my garage isn't getting any bigger, so I thought about selling some of my bikes, until Cliff told me about his charity, and I just thought, "why not? I hate selling bikes, I seem to be a d1ckhead magnet whenever I put a bike on eBay, because every d1ckhead and his dog come out to kick the tyres and waste my time, so just handing the two of them over to Cliff so he can work his magic and raise some money for charity seems like a "win/win" to me.

I'll miss them both, but bikes shouldn't be allowed to just sit in garages gathering dust, they should be ridden and enjoyed, so I hope someone else will love them as much as I do. Cheers, Terry.

[dhall57]

Yeah I know you will miss the ole Wang, but that sounds like a great thing your doing with Cliff. Congrats on the new job also Terry

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Dwight, Cliff is doing all the work, I'm just making space for my CB750 infatuation...........