Hey I'm looking at building a custom naked gl1200 motorcycle. I've seen a lot of examples of this bikes potential and have the money to spend. My questions are: is there any specific models or features I should avoid? what are some of the things I should look at before buying the bike? How many miles are too many miles? What are some headaches I should expect and just accept as inevitable?
I'm a new member and new to goldwings so I'm sorry if some of this seems obvious.
Thanks for your help.
New gl1200 project
Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators
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- Rusty Probie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: Wyoming
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4083
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: New gl1200 project
1200s in general are pretty solid. As far as making it naked, it really depends on how custom you are willing to go. If you buy an Aspencade or Interstate, they are easier to find, but you'll have to do some fabrication on the false tank to close up some major gaps that are normally taken up by the fairing. You'll also get a lot of extras, both in wiring and accessories.
If it's just a "light" custom, a Standard 1200 would be the way to go. Thing is, these are much harder to find, and harder to find certain parts for. It does give you a much better base to start with, though.
Of the early 'wings, my 1200 Standard is probably my favorite. Honda had gotten to the point they knew what they were doing by then, so they really are very solid bikes.
Not much, but hopefully this is enough to get you started.
If it's just a "light" custom, a Standard 1200 would be the way to go. Thing is, these are much harder to find, and harder to find certain parts for. It does give you a much better base to start with, though.
Of the early 'wings, my 1200 Standard is probably my favorite. Honda had gotten to the point they knew what they were doing by then, so they really are very solid bikes.
Not much, but hopefully this is enough to get you started.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- ericheath
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 9581
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
- Location: Winnipeg, Manituba
Re: New gl1200 project
84 standard was the only 1200 standard, you probably know that. It had recall on the stator, and it had a rear mounted ignition setup like 1100's. It also had gearing like the 83, I think. In 85 and up they put more of an overdrive it. (0.829 in 84 for fifth gear and 0.0800 later yrs, but I think they changed secondary gearing as well.) In mid 85 or 86 they changed rear wheel bearing as some were failing in the rim race. As with most motor vehicles today wiring became more complex by the year. I would love to mod any of the years. None of the detriments are deal breakers to me. Some of them, Aspy's I think, had digital speedometers, but if you're spending to change, electronic tach and speedos are the way to go. I'd dump the tank shelters and go with an 1100 shelter or a conventional tank. Good luck, take lots of pics. Lots of us love to follow builds along.
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
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
- Graham Cracker
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1133
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:24 pm
- Location: Bradford, PA
Re: New gl1200 project
Welcome to NGW. The only drawback of the '84 standard for me was servicing the pulse generators which are on the rear of the motor as previously explained. They are not interchangeable with 85-87s. The later years they were on the front of the motor making them easier to service. The 1200s are great bikes...whatever you choose...have fun with it.
Mark
1975 GL 1000 Candy Antares Red
1976 GL 1000 Sulfur Yellow
1977 GL 1000 Pearl White
1978 GL 1000 Candy Limited Maroon
1975 GL 1000 Candy Antares Red
1976 GL 1000 Sulfur Yellow
1977 GL 1000 Pearl White
1978 GL 1000 Candy Limited Maroon
- scootsx2
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:52 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA
Re: New gl1200 project
I strongly recommend that you spend some time on Randakk's web site reading his information.
http://www.randakksblog.com/category/ho ... rs-gl1000/
Also read his sections about the 1200.
http://www.randakksblog.com/category/ho ... rs-gl1000/
Also read his sections about the 1200.
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200
St. Louis, MO
The dude abides.
Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200
St. Louis, MO
The dude abides.
Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
- jdvorchak
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5238
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 8:01 pm
- Location: East Alton, IL
Re: New gl1200 project
New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help:
http://ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
Don't fix it 'til it's broke...
The person with the most toys wins!
If it has wheels or a skirt you can't afford it.
Amateur Radio Station WW9L
71 CL350 with Bingham side car
2021 HD Triglide
2008 HD Dyna Low Rider
83 KZ1100L1 Son totaled it
83 KZ550LTD Shaft sold
Previous bikes: 84 GL1200 STD, 83 KZ550LTD, 83 CB1000, 78 CB400A, 82 CB900F, 79 CB750K, 2001 GL1800, 2000 Dyna Super Glide, 1972 CB350 K4, 1985 GL1200A, 1997 1200 Sportster, 84 GL1200I, 82 Honda CM400E, 81 Suzuki GS650L, 72 Triumph Bonneville 750, 72 Honda CB350, 66(?) Honda 305 Scrambler, 6? Yamaha yz250, 62 650 Matchless (Norton-Villers).
John
http://ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
Don't fix it 'til it's broke...
The person with the most toys wins!
If it has wheels or a skirt you can't afford it.
Amateur Radio Station WW9L
71 CL350 with Bingham side car
2021 HD Triglide
2008 HD Dyna Low Rider
83 KZ1100L1 Son totaled it
83 KZ550LTD Shaft sold
Previous bikes: 84 GL1200 STD, 83 KZ550LTD, 83 CB1000, 78 CB400A, 82 CB900F, 79 CB750K, 2001 GL1800, 2000 Dyna Super Glide, 1972 CB350 K4, 1985 GL1200A, 1997 1200 Sportster, 84 GL1200I, 82 Honda CM400E, 81 Suzuki GS650L, 72 Triumph Bonneville 750, 72 Honda CB350, 66(?) Honda 305 Scrambler, 6? Yamaha yz250, 62 650 Matchless (Norton-Villers).
John
- Rtistek
- Tin Member
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 3:21 pm
- Location: Ft. Myers Florida
Re: New gl1200 project
I just posted this gl1200 project I completed. I hope you like it. I am excited to see what you come up with.
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 15&t=64131
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 15&t=64131
"It is in change that we find purpose." Hericletis
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