Topic: might buy a 76 goldwing, help?

[westondc]

My friend and i have been looking around for a vintage goldwing to tinker around with. i just spotted one nearby on CL. i understand enough about Honda CB's to know what to look for but not a goldwing. here's the bike:

1976 Honda Goldwing $800: Haven't driven in 2 years but ran great then. Needs battery and because it has sat for 2 years the carboator has started leaking, I think it is the seals. The seats are in great condition has AM/FM/casset only has 38,000 miles.

what should i look for? what issues might a goldwing of this age have?

[westondc]

well the bike was sold but still wondering what to look for when checking out a goldwing in the future...

[kirkn]

As far as I know, the same ol' same ol' - oil, radiator fluid, brakes, tires.  Listen to it run and listen for knocks/rattles and watch for smoke of any color from the exhaust.  Take it for a ride and feel for looseness anywhere and shimmies or pulls....

Great bikes!  Good luck with your search.

Kirk

[333]

"75 & '76 both had kick starters.  The pedal is kept in the panel in the "tank"(the real gas tank is under the seat).  If you are looking at a non-runner, you can use the kick starter to see if the motor is locked up or not, and maybe get an idea about compression.  And even though the carbs are CV types, they are the same in all other aspects(floats, float valves, etc.  No "seals").

[Stev-o]

Don't do it! [That's an "old man's" bike!]

[6adan]

They are good bikes, If you can find another one that good for $800.00 grab it. I have two running now and am reworking a 75 now. go to NGW.com and you will find they are not just for old men,there are some guy's running blowers and some with twin webers. The one different from other bikes is the timing belts, if the bike has sat for several years they need to be changed. That is one of the first things I do.

[edbikerii]

Yeah, classic 'Wings are not "old man bikes", but "grown-up bikes".  Personally, I think the GL1800 is a bit of a land-barge for my tastes, but the GL1200 and earlier were pretty good hot-rods.  I'm still on the fence about the GL1500.  Perhaps as I get older my tastes will change (haha!!!).

They are good bikes, If you can find another one that good for $800.00 grab it. I have two running now and am reworking a 75 now. go to NGW.com and you will find they are not just for old men,there are some guy's running blowers and some with twin webers. The one different from other bikes is the timing belts, if the bike has sat for several years they need to be changed. That is one of the first things I do.

[weltzing]

looks to be in great shape! i bought a 79 GL1000 last spring and took all the bags and the fairing off........IT looks BA, now im making a lower seat for it so it sits lower.....im 6'3" 260 so the lower is better for me!   my bike had 48xxx miles and bought it for 700.....it had new tires on it...seemed like a good deal.

[fishhead]

Go to Randakks tech page

http://www.randakks.com/TechTips.htm
and click on
Honda GL1000 Tech Tips for New Owners

Lots of pointers for the Early GL's (look around while your there too)
 He's the "Man" when it comes to the early Goldwings.

 Check out his GL 1000 (RC003)

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk%27s%20Endurance%20Special.htm

 It just went through a complete redo over the winter.

[Peterbylt]

I have a 75 GL1000 that took almost a year to get back to running condition. It had sat for 18 years before I got it.
I have also restored an 81 GL1100 that was in pieces and had not run in 9 years.

Biggest issues are the same as the they are for the SOHC4's, the carburetors get clogged with old gas and it takes a lot of work to get them completely clean. I had to take the GL1000 carbs apart 5 times before I got them right The last time I had them apart I boiled the throttle bodies for twenty minutes that finally got it clean.

The other issue is the Brakes these bikes have disks front and rear and every one I have worked on the brakes need to come completely apart and all the seals and lines replaced. The rear caliper on the 1000 was interesting as it has two pistons that press from both sides.

In the end it was all worth it the 75 GL1000 handles good runs really smooth and goes like hell.

Remember, even though it is a horizontally opposed boxer engine it is still classified as a single overhead cam four.



Peter
 

[westondc]

thanks for the tips, i'll keep the search going. Nice goldwing Peter! that's just the bike I'm looking for.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

check underneath on the frame where the center stand hinges. if it has a lot of rust, there is a spot where that center stand can brake at the frame... head bearings... normal stuff. i got a 78 GL that is still a work in progress. its on this board somewhere.
good luck