Honda GL1000 Goldwing

[James England]

Hi Folks

Some people my have noticed that I've not been on the forum so much for the last few months. Hurray! I hear you say. I bought another of the bikes of my youth.. a 1976 GL1000 ... and have been renovating it. Hell, I thought I knew what I was doing but the engine is a whole new experience for me compare to the XS1100's. Water cooling... water travelling in tubes inside oil, O rings, gaskets, seals... a pump with bearings and seals..... It makes me realise how nice air cooling is!

Here's a before pic.....




After getting the frame and loads of bits powder coated, here's a 'work in progress' shot. PLEASE tell me it looks better....please!

[natemoen]

Very nice! Looks way better in the after pics

Can't wait to see how it proceeds!

[DGXSER]

If I look really close I think I can see some improvement. Seriously James, awesome job! Looks 1000% improved!!

[James England]

Phew! I'm pleased you said that. I've had a hell of a job with the carbs though and they are more complicated than those on our beloved XS1100's.

The GL has been good practice for a total stripdown, with all components bagged and tagged and generally being organised. The engine comes out much more easily than on an XS, with part of the frame unbolting and the engine sliding out on a jack. Really easy. Apart from that, really complicated!

I get the panels back from the spray shop later this week. I've sent a few bits off for rechroming. The exhaust came from the USA and UK customs put an import tariff on it! A 30 year old, used exhaust and they put a charge on it!

So, pretty soon, the GL will be finished. I do like the bike and the design is brilliant, especially for the era in which it was made but.....but...... nothing can beat the XS1100 IMO. They do look nice, next to each other in the workshop. It's a bit weird... I mean they are both big motorbikes but so different in design, corporate image, styling etc. The GL kind of confirms a theory I've had for years.... if a bike manufacturer gets you at the right time, they've got you forever. What did it for me was the allen bolts as standard on the Yamahas. The love affaire began there......

Here's another pic. Note the green Dynas, newly installed and bought from the USA:

[motoman]

Lots goog James............hope you checked that stator is good as it would suck to have to pull that motor to fix on those..............BTW, u think those are a bit different...........jump in the middle and wrench on an ST............like workin on a minature half of a V-8.......

[DeanR]

That's the original Wing isn't it? Looking great!

[motoman]

close Dean.......75 first year....

[crazy steve]

Looking NICE....

It gets addictive, doesn't it? Taking a clapped-out bike and making it look near-near again. Keep posting progress on the build....

[James England]

Lots goog James............hope you checked that stator is good as it would suck to have to pull that motor to fix on those..............BTW, u think those are a bit different...........jump in the middle and wrench on an ST............like workin on a minature half of a V-8.......

Yes, that thought occurred to me too. I checked the stator. It looks OK and the light brighten when the engine's revved. I renewed the clutch for the same reason. Actually though, I'd say the engine is easier to remove than on an XS1100.

The biggest 'challenge' so far is the carbs. They really are tricky and apparently were like that from new!

[LuckyEddie]

Nice bike Mister!

Great job James. I have had about 9 GL1000's since 1978. I presently have a 76 and two 78's, one parts bike and one that I've Supercharged and done a frame up restoration on with everything but the painted panels powdercoated.
As to your carb issues...... have you visited www.randakks.com ? The man's knowledge of these bikes is a godsend. After you have logged on, you will not come up for air for a week!
By the way, I enjoy the 76 the most.

[jetmechmarty]

It looks like it will be another beauty, James! Here's a cool '76 Wing:

http://thekneeslider.com/images/2010...ing-finish.jpg

[fredintoon]

Hi Folks - - - I bought another of the bikes of my youth.. a 1976 GL1000 ... and have been renovating it. - - -

Hi James and congratulations on your new baby.
the photos tell me you are doing your same ol' hyper resto job, looks great!
A thing I read about 'Wings is that where the book says replace the cam-timing belts every so many miles, you better believe it or you'll be sorry.

[James England]

Hi James and congratulations on your new baby.
the photos tell me you are doing your same ol' hyper resto job, looks great!
A thing I read about 'Wings is that where the book says replace the cam-timing belts every so many miles, you better believe it or you'll be sorry.

Thanks! Yes, I put new timing belts on...with:

Dyna coils, Dyna S ignition, iridium plugs, carbon-fibre HT leads and HT caps, new battery, NOS fenders, replica blinkers, NOS tail-light, clutch plates and bearings, cables, rocker covers, air filter, oil filter, better drive-shaft, powder coat everything including frame and engine bits, re-chrome headlamp, head bearings, wheel bearings, new centrestand, used manifolds, used muffler, re-bound wiring loom, caliper and MC rebuilds, NOS fuel pump and tap, etc etc etc..... I'll post a few pix when the paint job is done...... I kept a spreadsheet of the cost of it all but I am wishing I hadn't. Ignorance is bliss on the cost side of things, I reckon.

[Lonerider62]

Very nice looking Wing you have there. I bought an 81 Aspencade a few years ago just to get up to the point that it was a reliable runner. Although I fixed, polished and replaced a lot of stuff, I didn't go nearly as far as you because I knew I wasn't going to have it long. The valves are 1000% easier to keep in specs but beyond that, they can be a nightmare to repair and those intakes are the most difficult I have the opportunity to work with. Randakk is definitely the guy to go to for intake parts. They do make a fine ride, there's no mistake about that, they just were never intended to be much of a performer. If your starter starts getting a bit slow it's almost always the brushes but theyre quite easy to replace. Again, very nice job. Watch the rear gear case and the splines that match up to the rear wheel, many never saw a bit of grease in their lives and they are very hard to find.

[James England]

Little update

Here's a little update on the GL1000. Yes, I did those timing belts! I've had a hell of a problem with the carbs though, and have ended up sending them to someone who specialises in the GL1000 carb rebuild. The Dyna S ignition is great, as are the green meanie coils. Theoretically, once the carbs are back, the bike should run well (it ran before but rough on one cylinder). I'm awaiting the radiator scoops to be resprayed, so they'll be on in the next pics, same with the headlamp atthe re-chromers..