1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

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dontwantapickle
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1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#1

Post by dontwantapickle »

Well....... maybe "Dual Sport" is a bit of a reach, so I'll just call it "dirt road oriented".

I have always thought that a Goldwing would make a solid "Fire road / Jeep trail" type of bike, so I made one.
This is my 81 1100. It's pretty much stock, with the exception of progressive springs up front, Taller aftermarket shocks,
and 80/20 adventure bike tires.

I had to run into town today, so I stopped off and took some pics on the way:
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Last edited by dontwantapickle on Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#2

Post by dontwantapickle »

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Last edited by dontwantapickle on Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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chewy999
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#3

Post by chewy999 »

Very nice looking bike. Be a shame to get it dirty!

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
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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CYBORG
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#4

Post by CYBORG »

looks good. nice work
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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opcracer212
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#5

Post by opcracer212 »

I live on a gravel road, two miles from pavement, so I've been considering dual-sport tires for my '77, which I will be making road-ready this winter.

Curious to know what tires you are using.

Gravel roads can be a bit sketchy on my CX (with straight road tires), so I assume it only gets worse with the heavier GL.
1977 GL 1000 (needs work)
1981 CX 500 Custom
1981 Yamaha SR 250
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Sugs
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#6

Post by Sugs »

Nice. What fly screen is that?
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'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
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Track T 2411
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#7

Post by Track T 2411 »

Sweet...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

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!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#8

Post by digschopper »

Curious about tires as well.
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#9

Post by dontwantapickle »

Thanks all!

Sugs - the fly screen is from ebay

Tires - they are Shinko 705's.

They are low profile which I thought might be an issue, but no... they ride nice.
I have had them on gravel and they do feel better than street tires.

However, I have a feeling that they are only going to last a couple of thousand miles (soft rubber, heavy bike, two up, etc.)
but that's OK, I'm thinking that I might replace them with some that looks a little more aggressive.
Also..... they make a tube and a tubeless version. make sure that you order the right ones.

Riding it with the new fork springs and 14" rear shocks is a pleasure. It is definitely easier to control on dirt
than my Valkyrie with it's cruiser seating position, and not as hard on my 'ol aching back.

I think that this one is going to be my everyday ride this winter.
By spring, I am expecting to know the bike's limits and start taking it over some of the dirt mountain passes
here in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Last edited by dontwantapickle on Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#10

Post by dontwantapickle »

I'm still riding this bike, took these pics last Sunday.
social distancing - Moab, Utah:
6-29-20 038.jpg
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6-29-20 027.jpg
6-29-20 027.jpg (115.45 KiB) Viewed 491 times
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#11

Post by dontwantapickle »

Yes, goldwings actually work in the dirt!
Riding it in the offroad earlier this spring:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=36160&p=771520#p771520

:crosso
wannabridin
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#12

Post by wannabridin »

Sharp looking bike! What bags are those??
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dontwantapickle
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#13

Post by dontwantapickle »

the saddlebags are stock.
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Re: 1981 GL1100 "Dual Sport"

#14

Post by cbrianroll »

Looks good, I'm thinking of 80/20 or heck 50/50 lol. Tkc 70s or 80s maybe....
78 gl1000 rat project thingy...still under construction
76 gl1000 parts for 78? Trying to get running...
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