Ryan
Member
For those that have read any of my posts you know that this is my first time at building a bike from ground uo, literally! I bought a 1980 GL 1100 from an old friend who was the only owner and he took very good care of it. When I bought it almost $yrs ago it had only just over 49,000kms on it (that is about 30,000 miles for Americans), he changed the fluids every year and ran it at least twice each summer. When I bought it he had put a 79 Vetter touring package on it, which had seen better days and I just didn't like it, so I gave away what was wanted and scrapped the rest. I tore the bike down completely and had all the metal parts, even the handle bars powder coated black, all the frame, fork lowers, all mounts, etc. I bought all new chrome engine covers, belts, rebuilt the carbs, oh and I also powder coated the wheels gloss black and put a set of bridgestones on. Now here is where my question begins. I still wanted a touring bagger and thought about the batwing fairing and harley bags but -nah! So I recently found a guy that lives just down the street from me and he has a 1982 GL 1100 but it has the Interstate package on it plus every bell and whistle that he could fit on there. Well after talking and finding out he cannot ride anynore because he lost the use of his arm in a work accident, I ended up buying the bike from him for $1000, it runs great, has only 78,000kms (thats about just under 50,000 miles for Americans), it has the look I like and every upgrade and wextra I could find in 20 years of swap meets. So my question is this-since I have my frame all coated and back togethjer and just about to put the engine in, should I keep going with my build and just take the parts off of his bike to make mine into an interstate since my engine has less kms and is fresh or should I just keep his bike the way it is, give it a tune up and some new rubber and keep mine as a naked wing? I really am confused about this. Even if I kept his bike to ride as the bagger I still would want it painted so all those parts will be coming off eventually, I could really use your help on this one guys. By the way, he is the only owner of his bike as well, so I am the 2nd owner of both bikes. I got the first one for only $500 as well because he has been a life long friend. So between both bikes I have $1500 in the purchase price but I probably have about $3000 mor more into the restoration of the 1980 GL 1100. Suggestions PLEASE!!!