Chopping a 1981 gl1100

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Daryl5410
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Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#1

Post by Daryl5410 »

My brother bought me this 1981 goldwing shortly before taking his own life. So this bike means something to me. I want to chop it cause ain't too many hardtails done. I can weld. I've built a couple VW powered trikes. But this hardtail section is a different kind of animal. Has anyone else done this? And does anyone have suggestions ?
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5speed
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#2

Post by 5speed »

very sorry that you lost your brother.
I don't have any advice on doing a hard tail but if you look thru the gallery of pics you might get some idea's.
Start a build thread..we love pics of projects..and welcome to the site.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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ericheath
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#3

Post by ericheath »

Have to visit the way back machine. There are a few. There was one that ran the drive shaft open with a hard tail. You should check HOTT’s builds as he used soft tail shocks and still has a working back. Cyborg has a build with a mono shock to simulate the look.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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CYBORG
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#4

Post by CYBORG »

my use of a mono shock was more for the handling then the look. In fact, my current project is a 1200 with a mono shock. With a fuyll set of bags, shock, or shocks, can't be seen. I don't build my bikes for looks, but for long distant riding, Handling is more important
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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5speed
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#5

Post by 5speed »

CYBORG wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:26 am my use of a mono shock was more for the handling then the look. In fact, my current project is a 1200 with a mono shock. With a fuyll set of bags, shock, or shocks, can't be seen. I don't build my bikes for looks, but for long distant riding, Handling is more important
is there a noticeable difference in the way a bike handles with a mono shock cyborg?
my fj1200 has a mono shock but it is a different beast than a cruiser.
the roadstar I'm putting back together has a mono shock set up as well and it would be nice to know ahead of time what the handling characteristics are. :)
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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CYBORG
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#6

Post by CYBORG »

night and day on the goldwings. They have a swingarm that flexes, which effects handling. especially cornering. I use mine in conjuction with a stock swingarm that has been re-inforced to stiffen it. Also the larger 1200 forks help a lot. It's a combination of changes and factors. My latest is a 1200 in a 77 frame to use the stiffened swingarm
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
digger
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#7

Post by digger »

Cyborg, I knew you had a mono shock, I didn’t realize the handling would be better, thought maybe it was for better ride quality. Better handling is always good. I will have to check out stiffening of the swingarm, I did see somewhere on here how to go about it, need to re-read it. Thanks for the input.
1975 GL1000
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CYBORG
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#8

Post by CYBORG »

Glad to have helped
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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5speed
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#9

Post by 5speed »

CYBORG wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 2:29 pm night and day on the goldwings. They have a swingarm that flexes, which effects handling. especially cornering. I use mine in conjuction with a stock swingarm that has been re-inforced to stiffen it. Also the larger 1200 forks help a lot. It's a combination of changes and factors. My latest is a 1200 in a 77 frame to use the stiffened swingarm
I've been toying with the idea of the mono shock for my 78 build..tks for the info.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Rat
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Re: Chopping a 1981 gl1100

#10

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom Daryl.

Lots of ideas here

Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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