who has a pristine GL1000

[mossquire]

Hi from the UK, I was originally just going to introduce myself as a new owner of a 1980 GL1100 naked in Candy Muse which was imported from the US in 2017 and then left outside and not touched by the previous owner. I have it now and putting it back to stock. However I have another reason for coming onto this site.....I need a pristine 75 or 76 GL1000 in Antares Red, low mileage and either original or restored to a high standard as I am a bit OCD. It needs to be in the US as well. Why? My brother lives in Mass and we want to do R66 then West Coast Highway then back to Mass in August/September 2022 and then I will ship it back to the UK as it will mean a lot to me by then. Not being too sentimental, I am 60, my Bro 63 and we have not seen each other for 15 years and may not do again after this. I know it is a big ask of a 45 year old bike to do 7k without breaking down but I have several bikes which are 40+ and I would trust probably 60% of them could do it with may be only running maintenance.
So, does anyone know of such a bike or maybe someone on this site is restoring one just for the love of restoring and absolutely knows their stuff. If I find one what sort of price bracket should I be looking at.
Thanks for reading

[Rat]

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Sounds like a great adventure ... lots of possibilities here

Gord

[Rednaxs60]

Welcome from the west coast rock of Canada. There's been lots of threads here and other forums where people have bought a GW in another country, did the maintenance and took the bike for a good tour.

Good Luck. Cheers

[pidjones]

I think that you should do a little more research on today's Route 66. It only ever really existed between Chicago and L.A. Today, it co-routes with many other highways, and often disaspears altogether. Although there was a song and TV series in the 60s, today you might be very disappointed by the few land mark places left. Better to pick the landmarks that interest you and find good roads between them. US DOT is not into nostalgia, it seems.

[digger]

I am just now reading a book printed in 2012, called Route 66 Still Kicks, written by Rick Antonson. Rick and a friend search and drive the whole route, (as much as possible), in a Mustang convertible, some areas of the road are now private. I am sure more of it is closed or lacks access than it had when the book was written. It is humorous, entertaining and informative. A lot of history was researched and is well presented. I would recommend reading this if you want to travel the Mother Road, or have an interest in it.

[pidjones]

https://www.theroute-66.com/ is a good internet starting point. The road stopped being US66 in 1985. The park service has resources allocated to preservation of some historic places on it (~25% will perhaps be used, the rest used up in "administration"). US70 once actually went coast-to-coast. It still starts at the Atlantic, but its Western terminus is now Globe, AZ. We took it in 2019 from Knoxville to Globe and then went to the Grand Canyon. We returned via US60 which co-routes with 66 in places. US70 was once refered to as "the Broadway of America" and is the old main downtown street in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Rozwell, Alburquerque and many smaller towns. Both 70 and 60 co-route with interstates for ~100 miles, but the rest is still there.

[heraldhamster]

https://www.theroute-66.com/ is a good internet starting point. The road stopped being US66 in 1985. The park service has resources allocated to preservation of some historic places on it (~25% will perhaps be used, the rest used up in "administration"). US70 once actually went coast-to-coast. It still starts at the Atlantic, but its Western terminus is now Globe, AZ. We took it in 2019 from Knoxville to Globe and then went to the Grand Canyon. We returned via US60 which co-routes with 66 in places. US70 was once refered to as "the Broadway of America" and is the old main downtown street in Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Rozwell, Alburquerque and many smaller towns. Both 70 and 60 co-route with interstates for ~100 miles, but the rest is still there.

Route 66 got/gets all the love, but over several decades I have thoroughly enjoyed many, many miles of the Western end of US70.

[Brant]

US highway 12, US highway 30 - The Lincoln Highway. Looks like we got to talking about highways and the dude was looking for scooter. If you're going to start in Mass., probably be checking Craigslist there. You could probably put up an ad and see what kind of response you get. I'd try to find a scooter well ahead of departure time. Have your brother check it out and gather up parts. Come early and be prepared to do some wrenching. Assuming you are able to do your own wrenching. I don't think I'd undertake a trip like that if I wasn't prepared to do some pre-trip service and some on the road repairs. Good luck and keep us posted !

[mossquire]

Thanks for the replies and yes I know there is only part of the route left. The first 1000 miles is fairly boring but I guess its the experience of doing the whole route, or as much that is left which is the important think. I am certain that when all is said and donr, the road will be no different to any other road but just the experience of doing it wth my brother. We are carrying on up the PCH so that will have all the stunning views and then from Portland, through Yellowstone and back to Mass. Sounds easy when you say it like that! As for the bike I have a couple of choices. 1. Buy a pristine condition bike and get someone in the Mass area to go over it and make sure its all good. I would ask on here for a list of garages/mechanics along the route so I have at least a contact should something go wrong. I have a reasonable knowlege of bikes as has my brother so the niggles are ok so sort but obviously fuel pumps, water pumps are not something you can do in an hour at the roadside (if you have a new fuel pump with you maybe?). Or buy a $2 fixer upper and pay someone over there to restore it. I am sure there are some well recommended restores on here who could do the job. I have a 1980 Wing here at home which I am doing a rolling resto on so I can learn a bit about them to help me on the trip. I would accept any advice, any leads to bikes, restorers ect. Thanks

[cfairweather]

I restore GL1000s as a hobby and I will let you determine if my work meets your standards. I am currently working on a GL1000 custom project, but then I will be doing a 1975 red GL1000 that I have. I am willing to sell it once I am finished. I have done many GL1000s and know them well. Take a look at the last one I did and send me a private message if you want to buy the red one when I am finished. I am certain the bike will be just fine on your trip.

https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=75863

[AZNGW Rider]

Arizona has the longest stretch of the original Route 66 that is still in use today, along the 158-mile stretch between Ashfork and the Colorado River near Topock. This includes Seligman which is where the producers of the movie "Cars" got some inspiration for their movie and where Angel Delgado (the Angel of Route 66) still cuts hair at his barber shop although his working hours are limited these days. I tried getting my hair cut there by him but he was not working that day although I did get to meet his daughter.

[Sagebrush]

There is short stretch of 66 intact to the east of Albuquerque, NM on the westbound lane, yes you'll have to turn around in order to experience it, there are a set of grooves in the pavement that when you drive over them at precisely 45mph your tires will play the song "America The Beautiful"

https://www.roadunraveled.com/blog/sing ... ew-mexico/

[rcmatt007]

route 66 has a lot of "old roads" in Illinois and Oklahoma.... further west it is just the couple mile drive through the small towns alongside I40

[brokentoe]

You have a great ride in mind. My brother and I take a "Bro Ride" every year and one year we did some miles on the old 66 in Illinois. Even if the road is boring, the time with your brother will make it all worthwhile, and you will see some iconic restaurants, and courthouses along the way. I remember one old jail where we had to take some pictures. Thankfully we had not been arrested. Please keep us posted on your progress.