Topic: 1975 or 1976 Goldwing

[Johnie]

The guy said he was going to take any parts he needs off the yellow bike for the red bike. The 75 back brake was not working at all. Front break was locked. So yes, he got the red bike running, but not able to drive it do to other issues. Had it running and a major oil leak showed up on one side. I think the fire was maybe from mice nest near the fuel tank. He still needed to remove and go through the carbs. Wonder what the OEM seat is worth. As Stev-o said, "there is over 50,000 listings on eBay for parts including a rear axle for $9K!" What??? That GL sure looks like a heavy beast. He said 650 pounds.

[MauiK3]

I wonder if the early GL1000's are bikes that will catch on and go up in value, seems as though looking back they are better than they were given credit for.
There weren't that many built.

[Alan F.]

That oil leak was very disturbing to watch. I think he may have gotten his fill of that bike in just getting it to run for a few seconds. From the videos he seemed to have no idea of the depth or cost of a rolling restoration on one of these. The "expensive gasket set" is a good example.

A Cycle Magazine article from 1978:
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/roadtests/honda_gl1000_78.html

602lbs dry, 78hp and 99mph in the quarter mile.

One of the mods on the Twins site had one or two in the early days when Honda wasn't sure if they'd invented the muscle bike, or the touring bike. He's told a few stories of transmission issues from people shifting into 2nd at red line.

I got my first idea of the complexity of these bikes by looking at the parts lists on Partzilla, this bike has Thousands of parts.

[Johnie]

Interesting article Alan. From a aesthetics view and my personal standpoint I sure like the look of the CB750K better. I think I know where that headlight on the yellow bike went...future stash for the red 75 I think it could be fun to take it apart, but a real hassle to store and move the parts.

[Johnie]

I just noticed another interesting fact on that video. At the beginning of the first video he says he's on his way to his grandpa's to pic up "2 bikes". Notice he only loaded one, "the one that was most complete." I think after seeing the condition of the yellow 76 he decided to leave it be. He certainly had a lot of room on his trailer if he really wanted it. It was something watching him push that 75 up onto his trailer by himself. Looks like he has done that before...good for him.

[Alan F.]

I think after that stuck rear brake he called it a day.
WD-40 to the rescue.

[Stev-o]

So the yellow bike in the video is the same bike Johnie is looking at possibly to buy? Wild!

Johnie - Didnt you have a 'wing that you rode with your wife? Sold it??

[Johnie]

Correct Stev-o...it was a 2000SE I had for 21 years. Hey I was able to take a look at the 76 today. Lots of cut wires. No key. All blinkers long gone. No parts laying around either. Throttle and linkage gone. Looks like he started to part it out. He rigged a push button starter switch under the lid. Fenders are good as are the mufflers. Gauges are pristine. Headers from the motor to the mufflers show rust on outside. Tank is empty with some rust inside. Motor is free and she rolls. One side cover tab broke off. Seat is really good shape which it should be with only 15,500 miles on the bike. Last registered in 2002. They want $500 which considering all the parts available on eBay (50,000+) that is more than I would pay. She may give it to me for hauling it away...we'll see were it goes.

[MauiK3]

Yes, that one could turn into an expensive project to get it right or even road worthy.
The cheapest bikes can be the most expensive, as others have pointed out here many times.

[Alan F.]

The idea that the original owner planned a motor swap seems to hold.

[Johnie]

I pointed out to the daughter that I viewed the video the owners grandson made saying, "I'm on my way to Oshkosh to pick up 2 bikes"...and after seeing them decided to only take the 75GL and left the 76 for a reason.

[Alan F.]

How'd that play out?

[Johnie]

She understood what I was saying, but tried me at $500. Told her I would move it out for free noting that a number of the parts were already gone. It's not something I want for $500 with many parts already listed on eBay.

[MauiK3]

Sounds like she'll have to keep storing it. With limited parts support that bike could be an anchor.

[Alan F.]

Do I understand correctly? They've already started parting it out on eBay?

[Bankerdanny]

Look for the missing seat grab bar and turn signals, from and rear.
Looks like it probably had a Vetter package on it at some point in time.

Agree. The hanging wires at the front are likely what is left of the Vetter wires. I would be all over this. I paid $100 for one complete '77 and about half of a '75 last year. $600 for a 98% complete wire wheel GL with title is a great deal.

Sulfer Yellow is actually pretty desirable in a Goldwing as it was a 1 year only color ('76)

*edit* I should have read the complete thread before commenting. $500 is a very good deal based on what I am reading. I have other priorities at the moment or I would be asking for the seller's details to go get it myself.

[Johnie]

Do I understand correctly? They've already started parting it out on eBay?

No, the PO started to part it out. Not sure where or maybe to friends. Unless the guy who took the 75 picked up the parts if they were laying round. Four blinkers, grab rail, electrical stuff, throttle, headlight all gone before I got there.

[Johnie]

My picker friend who is dealing with the owners daughter is keeping in contact with her and working on her to bring the price down for me. We'll see where it goes from here. She wants it moved pronto and I can do that for her. That clump of wires cut does not appear to be from a fairing...didn't look at it that close. More to come...

[Alan F.]

Wires cut don't scream fairing, I'm stumped then.

I figured with the four directional and headlight missing that it once had fairing and hard bags.

Good luck. I hope she runs out of time and calls you.

[ekpent]

Every fairing I have ever removed always used those nasty blue splicers on the wires.

[newday777]

Every fairing I have ever removed always used those nasty blue splicers on the wires.

Known as scotchlocs

[Stev-o]

Do I understand correctly? They've already started parting it out on eBay?

Unless the guy who took the 75 picked up the parts if they were laying round.

This is what I would assume

[MauiK3]

Sad

[Johnie]

UPDATE: I am now the owner of the yellow 76 GL1000. I spoke to the grandson who got the 75 GL and asked why he didn't take the 76. He said he was so tired after moving that 75 around and on the trailer by himself he was ready to head home. He was really a great guy to talk too. We exchanged stories about our projects. I mentioned that since there was 50,000 parts for the GL on eBay I didn't think I needed to flood the market with more. So now my plan is to restore this bike. Will get it home next week and clean it up good. The chrome has no dents or rust and looks like it will clean up very good. With only 15,500 miles the yellow paint is scratch and dent free and will polish out real nice. The gauges and seat look excellent with no fading. I will post some pics once I get it home and cleaned up. The grandson does not recall a fairing on it, but said he hadn't seen the bikes in many years. His grandpa told him he planned to get it running soon, but never got to it. Guess that will be up to a 750 guy :-) I'm actually really looking forward to this project. Have not worked with a vintage shaft drive before with the exception of my 2000 SE Wing which i sold a couple years ago. My wife is looking forward to riding a Wing again. Thanks for all the encouragement and info on the bike guys. More to come...here's a pic of when I went to see it...

[Stev-o]

Congrats Johnie....will be a nice summer project for you. 

From what I've heard, the worst part about working on a 'wing is taking all the plastics off so you can get at it. So, good that you wont have to deal with that.