My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

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Pb9717
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My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#1

Post by Pb9717 »

Hello all....

I just picked up an 82 Naked as a gift from my uncle. Its been pampered its whole life and ran until about a year ago. The throttle is frozen, and one of the rear air shocks are leaking. I've picked up a rebuild kit for it, but also need to get the bike running. Engine turns well but I'm pretty sure there's no fuel getting into the cylinders.

I'll be spending this weekend diagnosing the reason behind the throttle lock. I'll swap in some fresh fuel, and try and get it running.

There are several changes I'm looking to do soon. I want to lighten the bike up by removing the large rack/backrest, and engine guards. I've already removed the aftermarket fairing. I'm going to install superbike, low rise bars on it, and either a bread loaf seat or corbin gunfighter style seat. The current King & Queen seat pushes me too far forward, making the OEM bars too close to my chest.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a vendor that can help me with the seat options? I can buy and old seat pan on eBay and re-foam and upholster it to my taste, but I don't do upholstery, and if there's a vendor out there anyone knows about, I'd love to get their info. Also, I'll likely have to shorten the clutch cable and possibly the throttle cables to accommodate the lower bars. Anybody got a source for shorter cabling?

Lastly, I'm gonna swap the huge fenders for more traditional chrome types. I've heard CX500 rear fenders have the same bolt pattern but cannot confirm. And that CB900 chrome front fenders can be fitted with a little tweaking by creating extender tabs. Any insights as to options for fenders is also very much appreciated.

Once the fenders are swapped, I'll install a smaller rear taillight/directional assembly. Not sure what to do with the front directional signals as they're integrated into the fork bracket. An LED headlamp will also replace the incandescent one currently in place. Not to mention steel brake lines, and if needed, electronic ignition.

other than that, there's really not much to do....

Please, if anyone can point me in the right direction, for the above stuff, especially seat options, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thx

P-

06D1B409-91D6-48DA-BDCC-76E130C15382.jpeg
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(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#2

Post by Shadowjack »

That's a pretty nice looking bike. Kind of a shame to rip it apart.
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flyin900
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#3

Post by flyin900 »

The bike is in excellent condition, so if you do tear into it keep the original parts, as they maybe be of interest to the next owner.

I installed a CB900C front fender on an 81 GL1100 and it fit right on with no mods. The clearance to the top area of the tire is closer than a stock fender, no issues with rubbing, yet in a heavy rain it may inhibit the evacuation of the water somewhat.
I don’t ride in the rain, so not an issue. I will post a pic of the bike later as it is on another computer.
Last edited by flyin900 on Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
Pb9717
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#4

Post by Pb9717 »

Shadowjack, I agree, its pretty, but the ergos make it very hard for me to ride. Flyin900, I'm bagging and saving EVERY part so I have the ability to bring it right back to stock if needed..but boy do I need a different seat.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#5

Post by MattMcCoy »

Re: Seat

Have you taken a look at Texavina?

https://texavina.com/gl1100-gold-wing-1979-1983/
1983 GL1100A Aspencade
1977 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1979 GL1000

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Pb9717
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#6

Post by Pb9717 »

MattMcCoy wrote: Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:25 pm Re: Seat

Have you taken a look at Texavina?

https://texavina.com/gl1100-gold-wing-1979-1983/
Ive seen those seats on eBay, made in Vietnam I believe, but was unsure as to the fit. Anyone have any experience with them? If it fits , then heck yea, that'll be a great solution.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#7

Post by Pb9717 »

I ordered the seat. A plain OEM breadloaf style. Just a little lower and thinner. Lets hope it bolts right on.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#8

Post by Fred Camper »

The how too section has a throttle cable shortening tutorial that is great. For the clutch, it has a high load so this may be the time to get Sunbobbs kit and move to a hydralic clutch. Else just use a 1975 clutch but even those are becoming universal and long on a 1975 bar.
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#9

Post by Pb9717 »

Well, you know that saying " when I parked it, it ran great....." Yea, well...after sitting for a year with fuel in it, and no fuel stabilizer, it appears the fuel system is pretty gunked up. The carb linkage is frozen solid, the throttle cables are free, so It appears whatever got into the fuel system has frozen the butterfly's. A deeper look into the tank has shown this...
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Likely have to pull the tank and give the -entire fuel system a good cleaning. Hoping this stuff isn't in the fuel pump, but with the carbs locked up, there's a good chance it is. Off to the races.....
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#10

Post by flyin900 »

The Evaporust solution, or its cousin Metal Rescue is an excellent deruster product for all the rusty items. It will clean them up very well. Not toxic or will not damage paint or rubber bits etc.

Here is my 81 GL1100 with the CB900C front fender.
P1060443.JPG
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P1060444.JPG
P1060444.JPG (209.91 KiB) Viewed 724 times
Last edited by flyin900 on Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:59 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#11

Post by toomanybikes »

Agreed, nice looking naked. How many miles?

I prefer the original look, but it's your bike and you will take care of the random bits, so that sounds great. I don't know if the CX500 has the same fender bolt pattern, but you'll have to look for a CX500Custom, which had the chrome traditional rear fender. The CX500 Standard and Deluxe have plastic fenders with integrated taillight. They will look ugly on a wing.

You'll probably should pull the tank out to do the metal rescue. Removing it's a hassle, but it will make the de-rusting process easier.
Greater Boston MA, USA
Stable as of 26Dec22: '81 GL1100, '10 Bonnie SE, '86 Yamaha Radian, '83 Suzuki GS650L, '14 Moto Guzzi California, '85 Honda V30 Magna
Pb9717
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#12

Post by Pb9717 »

I'm already prepping the operating room for the major surgery of removing the tank. As I have to rebuild one of the shocks, it seems like a good time to address everything on the back end ( Fender, lights, shocks, etc). Its insane the width of the back end. Over 24" wide from signal to signal. Looking forward to slimming that down quite a bit. Harbor Freight had a rust remover/treatment I'll be trying. Got 2 gallons and will see how it works. I didn't expect this to be the undertaking its turned out to be as the bike looked so well cared for when I picked it up. Was hoping I'd free the linkage a BOOM she'd start right up. But reality has provided a different path.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#13

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Re the seat, you said "the ergos make it very hard for me to ride" and then you said something was keeping the carb linkages from moving, which would imply that you haven't actually ridden it yet.
If you haven't I would strongly advise trying it with the original seat before you even think about replacing it. Also, it looks like your seat is in the farthest forward of the 3 positions so moving it to the rearmost position could make a big difference (it did for me) and don't forget you can also move the handlebars too.
BTW: That's just a regular touring type stepped seat. King & Queen seats generally have a lot higher step than that.

The best advice anyone can give you about customizing any vehicle is to get it safe & reliable in more or less original condition and actually use it for a while before you start making any changes. That way it can tell you what changes it needs to make it do what you want/need better.
As for the fenders, yes the narrower chrome ones are a bit more stylish but they don't block nearly as much of what the tire picks up and throws at what is behind it (water when it rains, dirt & small stones when the road is dry) so the wider plastic fender really does do its job better.
And keep in mind that the wider apart the signals are the easier it is for other road users to tell which signal is flashing so making them narrower will make them work less well.
BTW: US DOT & Transport Canada regs require a minimum of 4" between a turn signal and any other light that is on when it is flashing (a good law because if they are too close it is hard for other drivers to tell that they are flashing).
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Pb9717
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#14

Post by Pb9717 »

Thanks Sidecar....I appreciate the insights. I'll rephrase: The current ergos make it awkward to even sit on the bike.

I've sat on the bike as it was held in a wheel chock, and the tall handlebars and limited ability to slide myself towards the rear of the bike ( I've moved the seat back and didn't really help) as I would on a bread loaf seat is what's determined the choice for the replacement seat, and the replacement dirt bike oriented bars. I've owned early 80's Yamaha Seca 750's, Suzuki GS750T, and currently ride a 99 triumph thunderbird sport....all set up the same way. The bolt upright seating of the GL as it is now, is simply too different than what I'm used to. ( But yes, this big ol' seat is a nice cushy ass-grabber. Maybe I'll make a chair out of it)

And from an aesthetic perspective, the bike is simply enormous from every angle. Giant fenders, HUGE tail and signal lights, the seat is 30 inches long! I mean...DAMN! When my uncle pulled the cover off it, I had no idea this bike would be so big. The engine guards with the touring pegs span about THREE FEET. You don't see a lot of bikes that are 3 feet wide peg to peg.

So, I can definitely appreciate the good advice, but for me to feel comfortable I'm pretty sure i gotta lighten this behemoth up a bit. I got a CX500C rear fender coming, and a Honda VTX600 tailtight, some smaller LED turn signals, a CB900C front fender, and the Texavina breadloaf seat and EMGO daytona bars. I also prefer Halcyon bar end mirrors as they tip and tilt and provide a large mirror size. I know the smaller fenders are less effective, but I don't ride in the rain, and will have to take the risk regarding debris.

I've attached pics of the GS and T-bird. They display the look and ergos I'll hopefully have once this bad boy is sorted out.

Thanks again for the input and great direction from everybody.
82 GS750TZ.jpg
82 GS750TZ.jpg (292.31 KiB) Viewed 696 times
99tbird.jpg
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(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: My 1st Goldwing. 82 GL1100...seat options, fender options and more!

#15

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Each to his own. My back would hurt too much on either of those to go very far on them.
Pb9717 wrote: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:45 pm And from an aesthetic perspective, the bike is simply enormous from every angle. Giant fenders, HUGE tail and signal lights, the seat is 30 inches long! I mean...DAMN! When my uncle pulled the cover off it, I had no idea this bike would be so big. The engine guards with the touring pegs span about THREE FEET. You don't see a lot of bikes that are 3 feet wide peg to peg.
Ah, but that was the point of the exercise. Honda set out to make a bike that was bigger and more powerful than any other bike on the road at the time and (if you don't count the Amazonas) succeeded admirably.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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