New Member

[bkr]

Hi. I'm pretty much new to forums, in general. I joined this one in hopes of finding some guidance.

I have a 1979 GL1000 Goldwing with 7,995 original miles on it. It was my husband's bike and we bought it new in '79. We took a couple of nice trips before starting our family and since then have only taken our bikes out for quick spins locally. About the time we started planning to do some serious riding again my husband passed away.

The bike is too heavy for me so I can't see keeping it. What I need in the way of guidance is how to go about selling it. How do I determine the value? Where should I list it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I hope I'm not using this forum in an unacceptable way. I just thought, "Who better to ask than people who love and are knowledgeable about classic Goldwings?"

Thanks, in advance, for any help you can provide. Even if it's to send me somewhere else.

 

[slabghost]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to read of your misfortune. if the bike is running and rideable it's worth a lot more than not. If you'd like to keep it you could trike it. Post up some pictures and more on it's present condition. If you are handy with tools the folks here can help you fix whatever needs fixing.
Where is winter springs?

 

[mjanderson]

Welcome. My condolences on you loss.

 

[Steve83]

Welcome from Southern California. So sorry for your loss, and I hope things will be constantly improving for you. As slabghost suggested, post some pics and info on the bike, and we'll help you in any way we can.

Hmmm...Winter Springs...isn't that near Summer Falls?? :hihihi:

 

[mcgovern61]

Welcome to the site from New Jersey! :clapping:

I am sorry to hear about your loss and will help any way we can! Posting pictures will go a long way moving forward.

 

[julimike54]

mcgovern61 » Today, 6:28 am[/url]":2p0g864g]
Welcome to the site from New Jersey! :clapping:

I am sorry to hear about your loss and will help any way we can! Posting pictures will go a long way moving forward.

+1 (ditto) except New Jersey...Texas

 

[bkr]

Thank you so much for the welcoming responses and the condolences. It looks like I've come to the right place. Winter Springs is in central Florida, the Orlando area. (Summer Falls - nice one, Steve83!)

As far as triking it, I don't think I want to tackle something like that. I'll just stick to my '81 Suzuki for now.

The Goldwing is in excellent condition cosmetically and pretty good condition mechanically. Sitting in the garage without being moved for over a year hasn't done it any favors. I do start it once every week or two so it does run. It had developed a pop (like a backfire) so I ran all the old gas out, refilled with new and added Gumout Fuel System Cleaner. That helped but still an occasional pop so it might need some carb work. The brake master cylinder is deteriorating - looks bad but doesn't affect the brakes any. My husband had purchased one to replace it but didn't get a chance to do it. It's out in the garage somewhere. (I'm still sorting it all out and have a box full of parts that he had collected over the years, some new and some used.) I would imagine that the brakes are probably stuck at this point. That happened before when we hadn't ridden in several months. It didn't take much to get them functioning properly again, as I recall. These are the only problem areas that I know of. I don't ride it so there may be something else but all was well the last time my husband had it out.

It has a Vetter fairing and Samsonite saddlebags. Other than those item, everything is original and I have the parts that had to be removed to install the fairing and saddlebags.

Now, I'm going to try to figure out how to add pictures. I only have one to put up right now but I'm trying to find several others that are hiding in a folder somewhere on my husband's computer. If there's a way to add a sound bite I can add that later also so you can hear it running and the pop I referred to.

 

[julimike54]

Nice bike

 

[slabghost]

That nice and with so few miles it should sell for a good price. Might do a search on craigslist for gl1000 to see what others are asking and check the condition of their bikes.

 

[brianinpa]

Welcome to Classics. Compare your's to others like it on Craig's list of evil-bay to get an idea of the price to ask for it. Looks like a nice ride.

 

[Dusterdude]

Welcome,pretty bike and sorry about your husband.good luck

 

[K7TKA]

Welcome aboard. I sold my 75 GL 1000 for $3000 earlier this year. It was naked but worth a bit more since it was the first year. Put some ATF in the fuel to help the carbs and it will probably run fine again.

 

[zman]

I seen a 79 that sat for a decade had about 15K miles,didn't run and the dealer selling it didn't want to invest in getting it running, the sale was all based on looks and the said history..It looked nice like yours and brought in the neighborhood of 3K , cant remember the actual price but came close to 3 or a little over. I was shocked but they had the right people bidding, probably went overseas or something, this was around a year ago.
Selling locally and if the chrome and paint look as good as it looks and actually starts and runs I cant see any reason you couldn't sell it for 3K , if you have a honest local dealer they could put it in the showroom and maybe bring enough for the both of you to be happy, you could also try and auction it and set a reserve or sell locally and ask whatever price or best offer. many ways to go.
Thinking they were about $2700 new so 3K is alright, these bikes not heavy on classic value , there are fans of the GL but not as many as other bikes and older ones.
Just my opinion based on prior sales I have watched , for all I know there may be someone out there willing to hand you 5K for it, good luck on the sale.

 

[Omega Man]

Always a tough question! I wouldn't take less than $2,500. I know she is worth more, it's just so hard to get it.

 

[joedrum]

nice bike to me 79 are best 1000s in a lot of ways..but i doutb you can get a super high price unless you sit on it for right buyer....whoes looking for a 79...

 

[bkr]

Thanks to all, again, for your responses and suggestions.

I've looked on Craig's List and eBay and I also ran across a couple of sites with some interesting information. I didn't know that KBB included motorcycles and NADA Guides, as well. The prices seem to range from about $2400 to $4500 for the '79 Goldwing in very good to excellent condition, depending on where you look. If nothing else, I'm getting educated. And as several of you have pointed out, the key is finding the right buyer.

Zman, I think your suggestion about the Honda dealer is worth exploring. I have no idea how honest he is but it wouldn't hurt to talk to him.

I'll keep digging and let you know how things go. I did find a few more pictures, not the ones I was looking for but I may never find those.

 

[rob.lafady]

Sorry for your loss, that is going to be one heck of a find for someone! I wish I had the money and lived closer, but I'm about as far from Florida as you can get in the lower 48!

 

[mcgovern61]

Oh MY! I love the Suzuki GS 550 in that pic!! :lust:

They are great bikes too!! (Exactly the type my daughter needs!)