76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000 Restoration Project -- Finished

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Kroosa
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76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000 Restoration Project -- Finished

#1

Post by Kroosa »

Been waiting for a while for the shipper to deliver this one. Found it in Wingworld's classified section. One owner 76, sulfur yellow. 78K on the clock. $1,200. It was supposed to be very clean and original, but not running, and not for a while. Stored inside, and babied all its life. 22nd wedding anniversary present from his wife -- in 1976. (Awesome lady!) While I was waiting he sent me a large box with the original seat rail/grab bar, owner's manual, laminated warranty card, tool kit, and a few maintenance parts, some still in the Honda plastic bags. So then delivery was delayed.

Yesterday the truck finally arrived. Pleasant surprise. The bike was real nice, paint not even faded, chrome great, no dents in the fenders. I know it will require a brake overhaul, probably a radiator R&R, belts, belt tension bearings, water pump, carb rebuild, fuel tank cleaning, all the expected work on a bike of its age. I have already rebuilt the front master cylinder. But enough of my nattering, here are some pictures.

I will post again with more pictures if there is an interest.
Attachments
Full left side view
Full left side view
76 GK Left Side full.jpg (61.29 KiB) Viewed 1699 times
Front Left
Front Left
76 GL Rt. Side.jpg (65.88 KiB) Viewed 1699 times
Full right side view
Full right side view
Full 76 GL Right Side.jpg (59.29 KiB) Viewed 1699 times
Period correct vintage rack
Period correct vintage rack
76 GL Rear Rack.jpg (63.15 KiB) Viewed 1699 times
Handlebar risers.  These I can take or leave.  Maybe I should give them a try before I take them off?
Handlebar risers. These I can take or leave. Maybe I should give them a try before I take them off?
76 GL HB Risers.jpg (58.45 KiB) Viewed 1699 times
Last edited by Kroosa on Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:43 am, edited 3 times in total.
Ken R.

2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
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Lefty
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#2

Post by Lefty »

You my friend just scored big time. That bike is the schiznitcycle.
Been riding Hondas since 1964.
Current bikes:
1985 GL1200i work in progress.
2002 CB750 Nighthawk
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Neil
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#3

Post by Neil »

Nice score ... yes the interest is definitely here to see progress on this one.
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Kroosa
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#4

Post by Kroosa »

Here are a couple more nice pictures of the bike.
Attachments
Seat.  Not a pattern I have ever seen on a 76, but it has a faded Honda logo on the rear.  Anyone able to help here?
Seat. Not a pattern I have ever seen on a 76, but it has a faded Honda logo on the rear. Anyone able to help here?
76 GL Seat.jpg (47.33 KiB) Viewed 1690 times
Sweet rack on the false tank.
Sweet rack on the false tank.
76 GL Tank.jpg (62.08 KiB) Viewed 1690 times
Ken R.

2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
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Dog Boy
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#5

Post by Dog Boy »

Nice...nice...very very nice!

AL
They call me "Dog Boy"

Can't blame the "PO"
Original owner 76 LTD
Team 993
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ziggydog
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#6

Post by ziggydog »

YAY.....another Yellow being brought back to life. Good score.
Tom
1976 Goldwing Yellow
1989 Honda Transalp 600
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Fred Camper
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#7

Post by Fred Camper »

Good score, seat is a 1978 or 1979 GL. More comfortable than the stock, but not great for everyone. A purest would want it replaced, I would ride it proudly. Love the tank rack, I would certainly keep that as it is a period correct accessory and the look is great. Even the rear spokes look like they will clean up. I have never seen such a nice ride for that price. Wow.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Kroosa
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#8

Post by Kroosa »

Thanks for clearing up the seat mystery Fred. I was confused. The double chrome trim is consistent with an LTD, but the inner panel pattern is completely different. My guess is that the PO just "upgraded" the seat to a more comfortable ride since he and his wife rode tandem and would have wanted the most comfortable seat available.
Ken R.

2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
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Easter
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#9

Post by Easter »

Congratulations, beautiful bike.
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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Pokegama
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#10

Post by Pokegama »

Wow, what a score! That bike looks like new!
1979 GL1000....Ya gotta start somewhere!
August 2013 BOTM!
http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=38985
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wog
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#11

Post by wog »

Looks great!
One can never have too many GL1000's anim-cheers1
I'm thinking of keeping the same style luggage rack on my '75. Good you have the standard grap bar if you want to change back.
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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Placerville
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#12

Post by Placerville »

Very nice find and, for some reason, I'm strangely attracted to that color. That's seats worth at least $200 if you're going to put the original back on. Here's one on eBay
Placerville - 1976 Yellow
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Fred Camper
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#13

Post by Fred Camper »

But even if you want to put a stock 2x6 seat on there, I would keep that one around for longer rides. I fit quite fine on that style seat.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Kroosa
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#14

Post by Kroosa »

I have never ridden on one of those seats, but it looks quite comfy to me. I do have a stock seat in the parts bin, so that is always a possibility, but I like your suggestion, Fred. I'm keeping it.
Ken R.

2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
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Kroosa
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Re: Just took delivery of my '76 Sulfur Yellow GL1000

#15

Post by Kroosa »

Couldn't wait to get started. I mean it's not like I don't have enough to do. The twin LTD project is still struggling along, parts are not coming together as I had hoped (welder is slow) but I just had to get the carbs off to Pistol Pete, and I decided to strip the painted parts off so I could polish them up. So I did that, then drained the old oil and coolant, sucked the stinky gas out of the unbelievably rusty tank, and got started on yet another bike project.
Attachments
So here she sits.  No fluids, no painted bits and no carbs.
So here she sits. No fluids, no painted bits and no carbs.
2013-05-30 16.49.24.jpg (71.51 KiB) Viewed 1594 times
Ken R.

2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
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