Honda GL1000 Goldwing

[Wildkat]

NICE job, James!
VERY well done

[James England]

NICE job, James!
VERY well done

Thanks, ma'am, it's getting there. I've been told the headlamp is in the mail to me and should be here tomorrow. Then it's a matter of getting the carbs back and on and seeing what happens. The carb man says the float levels were all over the place, wrong jets, sticking slides etc etc, so I'm hoping he's got them sorted out. They're a lot more difficult than the XS11 carbs and really weird design.... a bit beyond me really. He's ultrasonically cleaned them too, so they should look a lot nicer.

So, I'll post a few more pix once everything is back together......

[jetmechmarty]

I'm anxious to see more! Are you taking these out and getting them dirty? Nice work!

[James England]

I'm anxious to see more! Are you taking these out and getting them dirty? Nice work!

Hell, yes! I rode my XS1100 all this summer and autumn and took it out last week. I also took it out in the rain to conduct my 'corrosion test'. ie you get the bike soaked, leave it for a few hours and see if you've missed any ferrous fasteners.

The Gl1000 will be in use as soon as the carbs go back on. I got the re-chromed bits back today and they are now on the bike (lovely shiny headlamp and instrument cases). I also used my zinc-plating kit to good effect on loads of bits.

Personally, I think even a fully restored bike should be used. It strikes me as a bit sad to see bikes in museums or treated as if they are in one. I never abuse them but I do use them.

[James England]

I'm anxious to see more!

Since you ask (and posting pix is great... any excuse), here's the headlamp back on today, along with the re-chromed clock lower casings. I renovated the dials too and spray painted the instrument top casings. I zinc plated the alloy part of the reflectors on the headlamp ears. I've found alloy takes zinc-plating really well; it comes up really shiny and then it never needs polishing. I did my XS11 fuel taps about a year ago and they are still shiny and look great.

[bikerphil]

You do awesome work my friend, looks great!

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[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]

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!

[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:

[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]

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!