1976 GL1000 with LTD wheels- year long project

[Rednaxs60]

Further to my last, I read on another forum and thread where the fellow would buy these older bikes to ride, but he had a budget of $3000.00 USD to buy and get it on the road. Falls in line with the cost that you have mentioned for your build.

Again, great job.

[sparkyrasmus]

Beautiful work

[flyin900]

Thank you for the positive comments on the bike. I am looking forward to getting it on the road hopefully in March if the warm weather continues and we get an early spring in Ontario.

I feel if any build goes past $3K regardless of the vintage model of Honda you are really looking at being underwater when you decide to sell the bike. An exception are some of the small CB350F and CB400F fours I have sold for around $5K each, yet there just seems to be a different following for the SOHC model bikes.
I did a 1980 GL1100 Standard about 5 years ago when I was still pretty new to the restoration game and ended up with about $3400 into the bike. In the end I could only get $2500 for it and it was in amazing condition with lots of work and new parts. The market just wasn't there with buyers willing to pay more at that time and even today the GL1000 and GL1100's rarely get above the $4000 range. There was a mint low mileage 1975 GL1000 on Kijiji locally that the seller started at around $5200 over a year ago, recently he had it down to $4400 and still no takers.

[Easter]

For most of us this is just a hobby and anything invested is just recreation. If and when we sell it will most likely be something short of what we put into the bike but show me a hobby that doesn't cost money. Someday the best and rarest of the Old Wings will be worth more but for now there are just too many survivors.

I support my hobby in large part by also buying non-running bikes and refurbishing them enough to make a few bucks but again it seldom pays for the time put in. But it is all fun. (except cleaning gas tanks!)

[flyin900]

Amen to that Easter.

I work for $1.00 per hour and I'm happy.

[Rednaxs60]

I agree with Easter, great hobby and I know I will never recoup what I have put into the bike if I were to sell it. the trick is to ride it long enough doing the maintenance required to amortize the cost so that it does not seem so bad. I would submit that if most people kept records of what they spent on their bike(s) (including tools, small bits such as screws wire and such) old, used or new, they would be surprised at how much was spent.

After having done the refurbishing of my '85 LTD, I think there is a need out there for a few shade tree mechanics to work on these older GWs. There is a fellow here on the island who does work for the HD crowd, and when told I was refurbishing my '85 he thought I was a bit crazy working on a GW. I have enjoyed the process to date.

My father mentioned years ago that boys and their toys are a different breed, and when taking their older vintage cars in to a shop, thy say "fix it", price rarely enters into the conversation whereas with their daily commute - "how much". I think there are those out there who would do the same. Read quite often of people looking for a person who can do work on an older GW. You would need a place to do the work of which I do not have. Cottage industry anyone?

I digress, I work for $0.75 taking into account the exchange.

Cheers

[Alarmdoc]

Beautiful Build. Hoping to get mine in that condition at some point. I am just starting out once the weather finally gives up and warms up.
What part of Canada are you in?

[flyin900]

Thank you moderators for picking the bike for BOTM and my teacher was wrong... since the OCD did eventually have an upside.

I am in the GTA just north of Toronto and I just sold my long term home in this crazy real estate market bubble and I plan to move further northwards into Barrie. I have family up in that area and will be able to say hello to another member on the forum and participate more in the vintage bike association up there.

Spring is a little slow coming here yet, so hopefully I can get the bike fully licensed on the road shortly and get some seat time on there soon.

[Rednaxs60]

Know Barrie well - grew up at Alcona Beach before the expansion. Was there around 10 March, and you're correct, spring is slow in coming even slower in the Kirkland Lake area where Mom lives.

Cheers

[ericheath]

Congrats on selection. Very nice ride. Congrats on getting a little away from the race in GTA. Haven't been there but looks like a better place to live than where I am.

[wingrider]

Congrats on BOTM! Great job!

[gltriker]

[Oldboy]

That's one beautiful bike. Congrats!

[Alarmdoc]

Lived in Brampton years ago. worked with a few people from the Barrie area. I am near Ottawa. Hopefully can bump into you during the summer. Going to Algonquin park on some weekends. Will PM you once the weather starts to behave.

Its starting to look like spring this week . Yah.

Alarmdoc

[Brant]

Congrats on BOTM !