Honda GL1000 Goldwing

[James England]

That is much shorter a time span than I figured you would say. Even more impressive!

I kind of overdid though, I reckon. The idea was a winter project to keep me occupied. However, as usual, I flogged myself to death and couldn't keep off it! A lot of the time is waiting for bits to arrive. I managed to sell all the old parts which I replaced on the bike...there's quite a lot of demand for them. So, it's a kind of trade-in on parts.

I keep saying I'll stop doing them but I just bid on another XS1100 here in the UK.... described as a winter project... oh oh.

[natemoen]

That is much shorter a time span than I figured you would say. Even more impressive!

[Brent]

before & after is Amazing. impressive work. Enjoy!

[petejw]

great work james, the bike turned out beautifully. :-)

[James England]

Very beautiful! Mind if i ask how long it took you?

Thanks. No, of course I don't mind. I bought the bike on 20 September 2011 .... so that's about 3 1/2 months ago.

I stripped the bike and bagged and tagged everything in 'ziplock' bags which I then stored in a metal filing cabinet with loads of drawers. This is a great idea because there are just so many nuts, bolts, bits etc, it really is completely impossible to remember where they go or what they're from. I used a permanent marker and wrote it on each bag. On reassembly, I really would've had no idea what some bits were without the description on the bag.

I've done the following:

Powder coated frame and many engine bits, as well as fuel tank (under seat) and loads of other peripheral components. Respray for all panels. Rechrome on instrument cases, headlamp and carb trims. Pro carb rebuild. New bearings on everything on the frame/wheels etc. Complete brake caliper/master cylinder overhaul. OEM muffler, chrome trims and both fenders from the USA. Dyna 3 ohm coils and Dyna S ignition (OEM is points/condenser, ballast resistor, 1.5 ohm coils)) from the USA. Iridium plugs. Silicone, graphite core HT leads.New suppressor caps. New timing belts. New Viton valve stem seals. New battery. Main fuse modification (to blade type). De-Oxit on all terminals and re-binding the wiring loom. Rebuilt water pump. Liberal use of my zinc-plating kit. New cables all round. New clutch plates. Oil and filters. Replica decals all round. Rebuilt both clocks. Two new helmet locks and rear light from Holland. Repro blinkers from the USA. Replacement driveshaft from Germany. New temp gauge sensor and fan thermostat. Used fuel tank sender. Dummy tank Honda badges from Thailand. Hundreds of stainless allen bolts, washers, fittings etc. New PVC pipes, grommets, rubber bits etc etc.....

All in all, my post-lady has been a saint, struggling up the hill with boxes from all over the world (even the muffler).

I balanced the carbs tonight with vacuum gauges off eBay. They are great! They were only cheap but work brilliantly.

[natemoen]

Very beautiful! Mind if i ask how long it took you?

[James England]

WOW, you really turned that one around James. Alot of work in that. I hate to think the investment you have made, but I know from experience it to just ignore that and enjoy what you have done!! Great looking bike!

You're right re the investment and work and just enjoying the bike. I did keep a spreadsheet with all the costs on it, right down to the last nut and bolt but it's kind of pointless really, eh? I don't want to know the price of everything and the value of nothing, as they say.

I got the carbs balanced tonight with vacuum gauges and that makes a difference to things (must do the XS1100!)

Thanks for the praise. It's been a long slog in order to get the frame powder coated etc etc but the bike should be good for another few years now!

It's a totally different ride from the XS1100 though!

[DGXSER]

WOW, you really turned that one around James. Alot of work in that. I hate to think the investment you have made, but I know from experience it to just ignore that and enjoy what you have done!! Great looking bike!

[James England]

First ride

Well folks, I got the GL1000 up and running today and went out for a trial spin. I did 10 miles and, so far, no coolant or oil leaks. The carbs need minor balancing after their rebuild but the bike starts and runs fine!

All I need to fit now are the two radiator scoops which are being resprayed. I have some OEM shocks on the way though, as I prefer the OEM look instead of the airshocks which are on the bike in the pic below.....



Here's the BEFORE pic:

[James England]

Progress report

I don't know if anyone is interested but I thought I would post a progress report on my trials and tribulations with the GL1000. I got my carbs back after attempting a rebuild myself and failing. I ended up getting them ultrasonically cleaned and done by someone who specialises in them (from a Goldwing forum here in the UK). So I got the carbs back on and the engine now looks like this:







The bike looks better than in these flash pix. There should be two radiator scoops on the front of the bike. When I got it, there weren't any on, so I bought some from a scrap bike which were black. I sent them off with all the panels to be sprayed and assumed that the sprayer would realise...... oh dear... he did a superb job on them, with gold pinstriping but duplicated the original black! They are now back with him for him to paint them the same colour as the other six panels










I've had the bike running today and it sounds smooth and quiet but, because of the terrible weather, I've not taken it out or got the engine to operating temperature. I'll have to check the cooling system for leaks etc etc. I'm feeling a bit paranoid and apprehensive about that side of things! I've used new seals, O rings, gaskets etc and rebuilt the water pump with a kit. Keep your fingers crossed for me please!

[old_skool]

You definitely have to love doing it for the sake of your own gratification, today's economy is just to fickle, I'll get my bike running and looking fair for spring, but mine has the old tired look too, so next winter will probably be another tear down to blast and powder coat the frame. You have a very nice bike, I kinda miss the 83wing I had a couple years ago.

[James England]

I agree. That's what's in it for me. It just can't be looked upon as a cost thing. I like to think that both my bikes will be good for another 30 years now. Probably more, with the benefit of modern synthetic rubbers, powder coating, etc etc. I was out on my XS110 today (Boxing Day, amazing) and it looks and performs like a brand-new bike. Better in some ways, in fact. The GL1000 ought to end up the same once I finish it......

I spent a lot on my XS1100 but still feel it's well worth it and it's still a lot cheaper than buying a modern bike!

[Lonerider62]

Depending on how my XS goes while I'm in Arizona this winter, I may decide to take it down to the extent you did on this Wing. It's not so much about how much they can be worth after the refurb as the enjoyment of bringing back a pieceof engineering work of past years. I will say though, a Trip to the Rhinebeck Super meet in New York might convince some people that trying to make an older bike look new again can be worth the cost. It goes on in June and is a real blast to see all kinds of two-wheel brands in their orignal glory. They have an auction for enthusiasts that is of a grand scale.

[motoman]

I've found that the figures just don't add up if I look at it as a profit-making thing. They cost a lot to get looking and running great, you see. I've tried reducing costs and, of course, do most of the work myself. The thing is, even if the starter bike is very good, the frame won't be perfect, so needs powder coating... the paintwork may be good but will be 30+ years old etc etc. I've found that even good condition old bikes tend to look 'tired'. So, actually, given that all the work has to be done anyway, it's better to buy a cheap one in poorer condition than pay a lot more for a good example that still needs all that work. If you see what I mean? This GL1000 was very rough at the start but I've not done anything to it that I wouldn't have done on a better example. What I get at the end of it is a lovely bike, completely done up. Maybe in another 20 years time, prices will skyrocket. Just in time to buy me a Zimmer frame. ////////////////Nice work there James!..........and U got the fruits of your labor pretty well figured out......+1!

[James England]

You do awesome work my friend, looks great!

Thanks Phil. I just do it for fun. I've found that the figures just don't add up if I look at it as a profit-making thing. They cost a lot to get looking and running great, you see. I've tried reducing costs and, of course, do most of the work myself. The thing is, even if the starter bike is very good, the frame won't be perfect, so needs powder coating... the paintwork may be good but will be 30+ years old etc etc. I've found that even good condition old bikes tend to look 'tired'. So, actually, given that all the work has to be done anyway, it's better to buy a cheap one in poorer condition than pay a lot more for a good example that still needs all that work. If you see what I mean? This GL1000 was very rough at the start but I've not done anything to it that I wouldn't have done on a better example. What I get at the end of it is a lovely bike, completely done up. Maybe in another 20 years time, prices will skyrocket. Just in time to buy me a Zimmer frame.