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SRQ Mike
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Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Greetings!

#1

Post by SRQ Mike »

Hi! I'm Mike from southwest Florida. Over the years I've had several motorcycles, mostly mid-sized Honda's. I retired as of year-end, so I've been looking for a new project. I've found a 1985 Honda Goldwing Interstate which is owned by someone I know. He planned to get it running, but I'm sure you know the rest of that story. I'm *very* pleased to have found your group because, assuming I buy the Interstate, my plan is to get it running and strip it down to as naked as my skills allow. It's an idea I've had for a long time, but working never allowed for the time to give it a shot. This weekend I'll be looking at the bike and would appreciate tips on what to look for. Perhaps there is a list already posted, but obviously I'm a newby and haven't yet searched for such a list. If someone could point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit: I just found the Shop Talk section. Great help!
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
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robin1731
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Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: Greetings!

#2

Post by robin1731 »

Welcome aboard from Indiana. The 1200 is the hardest to get naked. But Interstate is easier than an Aspencade. It is possible.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
SRQ Mike
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Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Re: Greetings!

#3

Post by SRQ Mike »

So the 1100 is a better bike to get naked? Any specific year?
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
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Track T 2411
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Re: Greetings!

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

I wouldn't pass up a good deal on a 1200, but the 1100's are much easier. The only 1100 that requires a bit more work would be the '83 Aspencade, which has electric gauges, rather than mechanical, and even that isn't too much of an issue, other than getting a set of non-Aspencade gauges and replacing the fuel pump housing (which mounts the tach drive) and possibly the speedo drive. 1200's all used electric gauges, and the faux tank is blended into the fairing, which requires some significant fabrication work to change. Several people have simply gutted out a tank from a different bike, to good effect. It all depends on what your end goal is, and how much effort you're willing to put into it. Good luck shopping, and you're sure to get plenty of advice here!

Good wrenchin'
Todd
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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robin1731
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Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: Greetings!

#5

Post by robin1731 »

Pretty much what he said. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
TNTbefree
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Posts: 928
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:49 am
Location: Jacksonville, FL

Re: Greetings!

#6

Post by TNTbefree »

Welcome to the club. 75-79 Gl1100's are pretty much all naked with aftermarket fairings and bags placed on them if they have them at all. Easy to take off to bring back to naked. 80-83 Gl1100's came naked or with fairings and bags from Honda. The false tank was not molded to fit fairing, all pretty easy to remove, but Aspencade on 83 came with electric gauges as stated.

84-87 Gl1200 the false tank blended into the fairing. Save the 84 Standard. That was the last year of the true naked wing, not many made, and it is getting harder to find.
Thus...
75-79 Easy to make naked if desired.

80-83 Not overly hard to make naked. Will need new headlight ears, headlight, and some wire hiding and or splicing skills.

84-87 Doable with modifications and determination. Unless you find an 84 standard that came naked.

If you get a great deal on the 85 and do not wish to bring it to naked in the hopes of grabbing an earlier year bike to do so, you may think about getting it running and flip it for more cash.

Things to look for: Take a look at Buying a used GL1200... http://www.goldwingfacts.com/used1200.htm
SRQ Mike
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Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Re: Greetings!

#7

Post by SRQ Mike »

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I'm going to look at a 76 GL1100 this weekend. The current owner says it runs very well and brakes and tires are in good shape. It has Windjammer fairing on it. I'm assuming that should be easy to remove. It also has one of his/her seats with the huge backrest on it. The current owner is 5' 10" and says that the seat height is a problem for him. I'm 5' 8" so that may be an issue for me. It appears that original or custom (Corbin and others) seats are readily available. It would probably need to switch out the seat to something lower (and better looking) Any suggestions? Any other details to check other than the obvious safety stuff?
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
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77Gowing
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Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:31 pm
Location: San Angelo, Texas

Re: Greetings!

#8

Post by 77Gowing »

Welcome to NGW, I have used the shop forums to good effect though on a GL1000.
Good luck.
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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gregforesi
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Location: Venice, FL

Re: Greetings!

#9

Post by gregforesi »

Mike,
After I sent back the PM I came across this 84 standard in Port Charlotte.
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/mcy/5529728374.html. The asking price is $1900 and for south FL that doesn't seem to out-of-whack.
2006 GL1800 (Brutus Maximus)
1978 GL1000 (White Trash - 2012 BOTY
(If you want to discuss the Trashmobile, Webers, Rearsets, Clubmans, or other stuff then send me a PM.)
"Getting old ain't for sissies" - Phyllis Diller
"So how much you gonna spend to win that $5 trophy?" - Cyborg
SRQ Mike
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Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Re: Greetings!

#10

Post by SRQ Mike »

Not sure how I missed seeing that one on Craigslist. Thanks!
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
User avatar
TNTbefree
Silver Member
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Posts: 928
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:49 am
Location: Jacksonville, FL

Re: Greetings!

#11

Post by TNTbefree »

At 5' 8" just about any GL is going to put you on your toes. Pretty much all the seats are high and wide. Forcing you to have a wide stance and lifting you above a "safe" footing. Several guys on here have cured that issue by customizing the seat. Shaving it down and narrowing it. I have also heard that you can lift the forks up in the tree about an inch to lower the bike without compromising handling.

So, what did you get?
SRQ Mike
Zinc Member
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Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Re: Greetings!

#12

Post by SRQ Mike »

Thanks for the comments on seat height. Today I'm going to look at a 75 model. I'm hoping it works out! I'm ready for another project.
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
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Scooter
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Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2014 5:17 pm
Location: Lynden, Washingtom

Re: Greetings!

#13

Post by Scooter »

Welcome from Washington state! My 76 LTD has a stock seat and I have no problem flat footing it. I'm barely 5'7".
Good luck on your search!
1976 GL1000 LTD for sale
1982 CX500C customized
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow project
1978 GL1000 Blue rat project
1978 GL1000 Black project/parts
1978 GL1000 parts, not many left
1980 CX500 parts
1982 GL500 sold
1982 GL500 Interstate
2014 CB1100A
2017 CMX500 wife's new ride
SRQ Mike
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm
Location: Sarasota, FL

Re: Greetings!

#14

Post by SRQ Mike »

Update: The 76 model I planned to see today has been sold. Darn! So, I'm continuing to look. I've decided that I prefer the 75 through 78 models if I can find one. Last night I found this: https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/mcy/5532915052.html
Although I usually don't like yellow bikes, I understand that not many NGW's were made in sulfur yellow. Plus, the color is kind of growing on me. Note that the owner made a conversion to a single carb, he still has the original carbs. Any thought/comments are appreciated. I plan to go see the bike tomorrow. Thanks!
1980 GL1100 (Sold)
1977 GL1000 (Sold)
User avatar
Track T 2411
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Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: Greetings!

#15

Post by Track T 2411 »

That Yellow looks to be in pretty good shape. Not my business, but the 'only 500 made' claim isn't true. Actually, Mother Honda had a hard time selling the yellows, and many ended up being repainted by the dealers. While they are not common, I don't think they are quite in the 'rare' category. My 2 cents...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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