Topic: Any Goldwing riders out there ?

[greenjeans]

A guy I work with is trying to get me to buy a 1980 Goldwing.   Everything is there.   Looks to be a pretty nice find.

He wants $500 for it.  Supposedly it does run.   Photos look clean.   A closer inspection will tell the tale.

Anybody have anything I should know about these ?    Any info or links greatly appreciated.    Probably not the most collectible, but it

might be nice for some long cross country rides.

[kirkn]

Great bikes, either in full-dress, or naked guise.

Here's a great site for the 'naked' folks:    http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/index.php

[kck3]

I like the naked wings.  Prob will pick one of those up soon-a 70's model I hope.

[78 k550]

first year of the 1100's. what is it standard, interstate, aspencade?
if it runs it is worth it.
I like them naked. I have the fist and last year for the naked.
75 and 84.

Paul

[6adan]

Great bikes, the link posted is a great place for info on them like here for SOHC4.I have two running now a 79 & 81 and am redoing a 75. First thing you need to do is change the timing belts.I just changed the heads on a friends GL1000 because the belts broke.

[Johnie]

The older Wings had trouble with the stator. To fix it you had to remove the motor from the frame. I am not 100% sure if that was back to 1980, but I believe the early to mid 80's bikes were affected. Do a search and maybe you can find out for sure. $500 sounds like a nice price if it runs.
Try www.gwrra.org There is a guy on this board named Stu that is a great Wing mechanic from the past and worked on the old stuff. I hope he reads this post as he will have the answer.

[Johnie]

This is the wing guy to contact on this board: chickenman_26
Very good on the Wings.

[chickenman_26]

A guy I work with is trying to get me to buy a 1980 Goldwing.   Everything is there.   Looks to be a pretty nice find.

He wants $500 for it.  Supposedly it does run.   Photos look clean.   A closer inspection will tell the tale.

Anybody have anything I should know about these ?    Any info or links greatly appreciated.    Probably not the most collectible, but it

might be nice for some long cross country rides.

Greenjeans,
You could be getting a steal, or you could be buying a bushel basket full of expensive problems. Closer inspection won't necessarily help you, unless you know what you're looking for and how to find it. Talk to me.

Stu

[bluefield dan]

BUY IT! BUY IT! BUY IT! I've been riding my '77 GL for 17 years or so, virtually trouble free. It truly is the most reliable machine i've ever owned. Even as a parts bike it's worth 500 bucks.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

we bought my cousin's '78 GL1000 for $800 with the carbs in a box... buy it.
they are a different animal. more like working on a car to me...
if you do, definately check out the NGW site. im on there too. great tech articles. timing belts aren't that bad either. the site helped. cool thing is a lot of the parts (timing belts, thermostat, cap, etc) can be found at NAPA for cheap... timing belts weren't much more than $15 and the thermostat was the same one as in every Chevy truck for 20 years...
++1 from me

[edbikerii]

That was on the 1200s, and only when the connectors were allowed to get all corroded and short out.  Then the heat would burn out the stators.  Enthusiasts simply remove the connectors, and solder/shrink wrap the wires together to avoid the problem indefinitely.  I've only got about 42K on mine, but the stator connector melted on me last year.  I was lucky enough to smell the plastic connector melting/burning before it took out the stator.

Also, those who are not as lucky can fit a Chevy car alternator using a kit known as the "poorboy kit" (google it).

The older Wings had trouble with the stator. To fix it you had to remove the motor from the frame. I am not 100% sure if that was back to 1980, but I believe the early to mid 80's bikes were affected. Do a search and maybe you can find out for sure. $500 sounds like a nice price if it runs.
Try www.gwrra.org There is a guy on this board named Stu that is a great Wing mechanic from the past and worked on the old stuff. I hope he reads this post as he will have the answer.