I've discussed this elsewhere, but after thinking about it, there isn't another group on the internet that can relate to this more than this one...
I've enjoyed classic 'Wing ownership for several years now. Even the numerous busted knuckles from the Aspencade have been enjoyable. I guess I'm making up for lost time. Time I squandered on muscle cruisers - ignoring the big Goldwing - which has become my all-time favorite motorcycle
Or in the case of my "new" acquisition, a "small" Goldwing. Yes, I now have in the garage a '78 GL1000. Not my favorite year (wanted a '75/6/7), but I could not pass on the price. Price you ask? Well, let's just say that I got rid of my LEAST favorite firearm. Been trying to sell that old Colt for a while. Makes a little more room in the safe...but I digress.
On to the GL1000. Far from perfect, it runs like carp, stops if you like mostly rear brakes and the 24 year old PO pulled it apart intending to make a bobber out of it. Luckily, I got it before he did any real damage.
I think I have all the bits (except shifter and handlebar). Very, very clean, chrome is mint, frame paint is mint, there is no rust. Anywhere.
Needs a right side cover (there, but cracked badly), handlebars (now has a drag bar), tank gauge pod cover (busted), headlight bulb, shifter lever (has heel/toe rig on there now). Idles like carp, but smooths out over 2k or so. Carbs need to be gone through. I've tried running some Seafoam through it, but I have had no improvement - the rack needs to come off.
Things aren't too bad, but I have gotten a couple of surprises. Good and bad.
First the bad. The cool shorty exhaust tips that I planned on ditching will be with me for a while. I have the factory mufflers in near pristine condition, but it seems the PO WELDED the tips onto the head pipes! And not a little bit of weld. Yeah, I'll be looking for a pair of head pipes - hadn't expected that one.
The good, I think, is that someone put an electronic ignition setup on this thing. Anyone recognize it? (Below)
I've begun ordering bits and pieces from Thebay and stuff should start coming in next week. The only big item I'm looking for will be a nice solo seat/tail combo.
Compression checks good - 145 - 155'ish. Still idles like, well, carp. Put in a half a can of Seafoam and am ran it through. Didn't help. Cylinder #3 just ain't hitting - even though there's fire in the hole. For now, the plan is to get her running and stopping like she's supposed to and I'm just gonna ride it. It'll be my freeway warrior commuter (50 miles a day).
And I'm gonna lose the center stand. Two reasons, the bike seems to have been lowered a bit. The fork tubes have been slid up in the trees about an inch. I guess the shocks are stock height, but danged if I can get the sumwitch onto the stand. I can flip the Aspy up easily. This pig is a no-go. Besides, that has got to be one of the ugliest centerstands ever put on a motorcycle...
All in all, I can't complain. I paid $150 for that old Colt 3 years ago.
Wish me luck. Oh, and I'll try not to re-tread too many old topics. If the archives serve, I should be OK, otherwise I might pipe up.
I've enjoyed classic 'Wing ownership for several years now. Even the numerous busted knuckles from the Aspencade have been enjoyable. I guess I'm making up for lost time. Time I squandered on muscle cruisers - ignoring the big Goldwing - which has become my all-time favorite motorcycle
Or in the case of my "new" acquisition, a "small" Goldwing. Yes, I now have in the garage a '78 GL1000. Not my favorite year (wanted a '75/6/7), but I could not pass on the price. Price you ask? Well, let's just say that I got rid of my LEAST favorite firearm. Been trying to sell that old Colt for a while. Makes a little more room in the safe...but I digress.
On to the GL1000. Far from perfect, it runs like carp, stops if you like mostly rear brakes and the 24 year old PO pulled it apart intending to make a bobber out of it. Luckily, I got it before he did any real damage.
I think I have all the bits (except shifter and handlebar). Very, very clean, chrome is mint, frame paint is mint, there is no rust. Anywhere.
Needs a right side cover (there, but cracked badly), handlebars (now has a drag bar), tank gauge pod cover (busted), headlight bulb, shifter lever (has heel/toe rig on there now). Idles like carp, but smooths out over 2k or so. Carbs need to be gone through. I've tried running some Seafoam through it, but I have had no improvement - the rack needs to come off.
Things aren't too bad, but I have gotten a couple of surprises. Good and bad.
First the bad. The cool shorty exhaust tips that I planned on ditching will be with me for a while. I have the factory mufflers in near pristine condition, but it seems the PO WELDED the tips onto the head pipes! And not a little bit of weld. Yeah, I'll be looking for a pair of head pipes - hadn't expected that one.
The good, I think, is that someone put an electronic ignition setup on this thing. Anyone recognize it? (Below)
I've begun ordering bits and pieces from Thebay and stuff should start coming in next week. The only big item I'm looking for will be a nice solo seat/tail combo.
Compression checks good - 145 - 155'ish. Still idles like, well, carp. Put in a half a can of Seafoam and am ran it through. Didn't help. Cylinder #3 just ain't hitting - even though there's fire in the hole. For now, the plan is to get her running and stopping like she's supposed to and I'm just gonna ride it. It'll be my freeway warrior commuter (50 miles a day).
And I'm gonna lose the center stand. Two reasons, the bike seems to have been lowered a bit. The fork tubes have been slid up in the trees about an inch. I guess the shocks are stock height, but danged if I can get the sumwitch onto the stand. I can flip the Aspy up easily. This pig is a no-go. Besides, that has got to be one of the ugliest centerstands ever put on a motorcycle...
All in all, I can't complain. I paid $150 for that old Colt 3 years ago.
Wish me luck. Oh, and I'll try not to re-tread too many old topics. If the archives serve, I should be OK, otherwise I might pipe up.
