Hello mate! Newbie from London

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killswitch
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Location: London, UK

Hello mate! Newbie from London

#1

Post by killswitch »

First off, thank you for creating/maintaining such an awesome place. Love it. My names Al, from London UK, and I'm very happy to be here.

A month back, after extensive soul and internet searching, I managed to locate a gem of a donor bike for a project I've been planning. The bike is a '84 1200 Aspen and is currently in a box waiting for collection from a dry storage facility. Haven't got any decent pics to share but when it arrives, in a week or two, I shall update.

The reason I purchased it is because, for a very long time, I've wanted to go on a long trek across Europe and beyond :crosso Yes it's that time in life, when you're done with working ridiculous hours, kids are happy and the other half is preoccupied. With the latter consenting to my ludicrous plans - which undoubtedly she will regret, I started hunting down a bike. Initially I was going to get something a wiser person would probably have acquired, like a cheap Africa Twin or something expensive already built for the task, however I've thrown caution to wind and decided to go the "build it yourself" route. Again could have chosen anything, however the GW just feels right in almost every way.

I was going to get a 1000 or even the 1100 however the updates on the 1200 are what drew me in this direction, plus the condition of the bike is amazing. That and the fact that it was a bargain...by the time I'm done undressing it and selling everything I don't need, the frame, running gear and engine will be free.

Now, I've got a whole bunch of questions, but not sure if I should continue and ask here or in another particular part of the forum. Maybe someone can advise?

Thank you,
Al
Last edited by killswitch on Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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5speed
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Location: Nova Scotia Canada

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#2

Post by 5speed »

Welcome to the site Al.
I would start a thread in the members restorations and project forum.
Oh..we love pictures here. lol
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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Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#3

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Yes .... start your own build thread and we’ll all follow along.

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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Track T 2411
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Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin, USA... Sounds like you've got yourself a plan! Enjoy the ride!
"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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desertrefugee
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Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#5

Post by desertrefugee »

Welcome! Never heard anyone complain about a well sorted 1200. Often described as the best of the four-cylinder wings, and rightly so. Enjoy the project and time on the road after. Sounds like fun.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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killswitch
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Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:02 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#6

Post by killswitch »

Thank you all. Looking forward to getting started.

I've taken your advice and made a post in the relevant section: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=70471

Please chime in. Any and all advice is highly appreciated
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rcmatt007
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Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#7

Post by rcmatt007 »

welcome to NGW
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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chewy999
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Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#8

Post by chewy999 »

Hi Al, welcome to the club from a fellow Brit, from near Cambridge. All the help you'll need can be found hear, just ask away. Good luck with your project when it arrives. As a matter of interest, are you happy to say how much it cost to ship it to the Motherland!

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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sparkyrasmus
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Location: Marshall, MN, USA

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#9

Post by sparkyrasmus »

Welcome to the United Wingdom! I love that this is an international group.
Goldwings don't accelerate, they gain inertia.

1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status :cry:
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug. crossy.gif
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killswitch
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Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:02 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Hello mate! Newbie from London

#10

Post by killswitch »

crossy.gif Thanks to you both. Love it here. So much to learn and so many wonderful people.

I actually had it all done for me by a reputable company and paid an all inclusive price. Can try finding out the individual costs but it's going to be difficult to measure since I know they bring them in by the container load.
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