1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

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BikeBuilders
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1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#1

Post by BikeBuilders »

So, I just picked up an old 1982 Aspencade. I am a Harley guy. I have always loved the Goldwings, and thought they were amazing bikes, I have just never owned one. Originally, I was planning on stripping it completely down, and turning it into some sort of cross between a cafe racer, and a bobber with ape hangers....

However, I saw a Road King today that looked pretty sweet, and surprisingly similar in stance to my GoldWing once I had the trunk removed. So now, I believe I will put the side bags back on, remove the fairing and turn it into some sort of chopper'd out Road King style, ape hanger, knobby tire beast.... Hence the name, Project GoldKing.

So, I have stripped most everything off of it, and I got to the "fake" gas tank. Underneath, it has all of the air pump stuff for the suspension. I have not figured out how to disconnect all of that yet so I can take the "fake" gas tank off... Which is question number 1...

Question number 1 - How do I disconnect all of the air pump stuff so I can remove the "fake" gas tank?

This question sends me right into question number two.

Question number 2 - When customizing these old Wings, do most of you guys retain the air suspension, or does that whole set up get tossed in the dumpster, and replaced with good old fashioned shocks and fork tubes?

Question number 3 - If I do go with good old fashioned fork tubes, do the fork lowers from the air set up still work, or is there something about them that would keep them from working with "traditional" fork tubes??

I think that is enough stupid questions for my first post (aside from my introduction).... Thanks in advance.
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chewy999
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#2

Post by chewy999 »

Welcome to the club, nice looking bike.

Can't help with question 1, I don't have an air pump.

With regards to question two, I still have the air suspension at the front, they are maintainable with spares (seals) available. The rear shocks are harder to work on, I believe the manual says they can't be stripped, although there is a tutorial somewhere. I chose to get new Hagons, the type I got look a little like the originals, and have been happy with them. But it's each to there own, which makes this site so interesting.

Here's a couple of pics of my naked 1980.
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Took a lot of time and money to get it to this, but great fun, and had loads of help, advice and support from the guys here. Since these photos were taken, also changed the exhaust to a Motad.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Last edited by chewy999 on Sat Mar 10, 2018 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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ericheath
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#3

Post by ericheath »

Without bags, the stock 1100 rear shocks run fine with no air. Progressive (and probably others) sell replacement springs for front and back. Some guys cap each side off and add air as needed to lose the spaghetti tubing and equalizer. Rebuild kits are available including a plastic piece which is recommended to be replaced.

I am pretty sure the front can be done both ways too. There is a measurement for spring length in the manual. Some stick valve springs above the springs to improve feel.
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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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

ericheath wrote:Without bags, the stock 1100 rear shocks run fine with no air. Progressive (and probably others) sell replacement springs for front and back. Some guys cap each side off and add air as needed to lose the spaghetti tubing and equalizer. Rebuild kits are available including a plastic piece which is recommended to be replaced.

I am pretty sure the front can be done both ways too. There is a measurement for spring length in the manual. Some stick valve springs above the springs to improve feel.
Actually, only the '83 rear shocks can be run without air. '80-82 shocks require air, unless you add aftermarket springs. They are rebuildable. You could pick up a manual fill setup for the rear from any non-Aspy.
I have aftermarket progressive springs in the front forks and don't require air unless I'm riding 2-up. You can remove the hoses and just install the proper size bolt to seal off the caps if you like.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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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!
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ericheath
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#5

Post by ericheath »

Corrected again!! Drats! I guess both of mine are 83 or had them added. The ones I have on now were donated and I didn’t know what year they were from.
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
BikeBuilders
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#6

Post by BikeBuilders »

Did a little more work today. Removed the air pump, hoses, switches, etc... (all for sale, by the way). It was holding good pressure in the lines. Got the "fake" gas tank off. Changed the spark plugs. It fired right up. Will play with it more when I can.
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BikeMaine
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#7

Post by BikeMaine »

Welcome to the forum.

We have identical bikes, at least when we both received them they were the same, even the color.

I ripped out the air pump and the hoses, fittings, etc...

I replaced the rear shocks with coil-overs and I put the Progressive springs in my forks. I also hooked up air fittings so I could add air/stiffness.

I'll be reading your thread with interest.
Kevin
1982 GL1100A
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#8

Post by Hukmut »

Hello and welcome to the "best Goldwing forum" on the 'net! action1
Check out my Cosicud build in the customizing forum. :orange
I used Harley takeoff rear shocks on the rear of my bike. ($20) They lowered the rear by about an inch and a half. Had to modify the lower mounting points on the shocks. (grinder)
I also used 2" long pieces of frame tube in the tops of the forks to eliminate any sag. I have a junk frame for parts. Not a fun job. :IDTS:
Don't get too hung up on buying parts that you think you might need. You already have just about everything you need. Just take off the stuff that looks ugly to you!
First thing though, that I might suggest, is to look through the different "threads" to see what
others have done to/with their 'wings. There is a huge amount of information there. I think that there are downloadable wiring diagrams as well. AND, get a manual. I have the Clymer manual.
(2 actually) :orange
Honda built it, you make it your own! And have fun! :-D

Ride safe,y'all! crossy.gif
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
Do your work with your whole heart and you will succeed! There is so little competition.
Come to kindly terms with your ass, for IT bears YOU!

1999 Valkyrie built from parts. One owner. :crosso
1981 gl1100 naked, Cosicud. :orange Sold!
1981 gl1100 naked. New project. :-D
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#9

Post by Rat »

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you’ll find older threads on related topics ....

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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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#10

Post by Edwing1972 »

Track T 2411 wrote:
ericheath wrote:Without bags, the stock 1100 rear shocks run fine with no air. Progressive (and probably others) sell replacement springs for front and back. Some guys cap each side off and add air as needed to lose the spaghetti tubing and equalizer. Rebuild kits are available including a plastic piece which is recommended to be replaced.

I am pretty sure the front can be done both ways too. There is a measurement for spring length in the manual. Some stick valve springs above the springs to improve feel.
Actually, only the '83 rear shocks can be run without air. '80-82 shocks require air, unless you add aftermarket springs. They are rebuildable. You could pick up a manual fill setup for the rear from any non-Aspy.
I have aftermarket progressive springs in the front forks and don't require air unless I'm riding 2-up. You can remove the hoses and just install the proper size bolt to seal off the caps if you like.

The proper thread size to cap off the air line holes is 8mm x 1.0 thread pitch.
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Re: 1982 GL1100A "Project GoldKing"

#11

Post by Easter »

Rebuilding the rear shocks can be a bit messy (you have to blow the seal out with compressed air, so do it inside a plastic tub) but the parts are readily available from Honda dealers and are not difficult to rebuild. If you don't have a lot of rust on the housings I think you would be happy with them. Lots cheaper than the quality replacements and you won't be happy with any of the cheapies available from China.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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