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What do you guys think of the '78/'79 GL1000's...? Any big Pluses or Minuses to them?

75's were "hotter", '76/'77 as well, but only ever so slightly. The early 'wings have a spike in the power band around 5k that supposedly was flattened out in the '78/'79. But performance differences are so minor you'd need to ride both bikes back-to-back to tell, and even then you may not.

Beyond that? Looks. I like the gauges in the shelter pod, but I like spoke wheels more. Only reason I went with my '76.

yea 90% is styling. The 78/9's get better fuel economy at the cost of a bit of performance. On very sedate runs I have actually seen 50 mpg on a 78 a couple times. Wiring is similar but no RLU and many of the loose connections are in multi pin plugs. 79 has the rectangular turn signals and rectangular front brake Master cylinder instead of the round one. Late 78 (manufactured after 31 Dec 77) and all 79's have the Emission Controlled Carb setups (leanest of all 1000's). Also has a different brake light lens. Stock exhaust is a bit louder than the early horseshoe. No kick starter. Some of the early issue fixes were incorporated so the shift forks are a bit stronger, the cases are a bit thicker in places etc etc.

I've had all but '76. Frames on the '79s included extra gussets to the center stand mounting tube. Also, the F marks are 5 degrees different between 77/78 production engines. More chrome was added seemingly every year. 77/78 split brought a change in exhaust headers, too. Crankcase ventilation was replumbed and parts changed. If you get a '79 that has had a fairing mounted, good luck finding headlight ears that still have the proper stalks for mounting original front signal lights. I still have a '75 engine in a '78 frame.

Everybody always talks about the performance difference. I may be wrong, but I have not found it to be dramatic and here is why. I have had my 78 for many years. During that time, I have ridden with a number of individuals with early 1000s. And I mean ridden extensively. The difference is not dramatic. Yes, they are a touch quicker. It is not night and day.

But, and this is purely subjective... the 78/9s definitely have classier styling. I might be a bit biased on that part.

Out of all of the wings that I have owned,
I think the 78 was the best looking.

Lucien, I hear ya - spoked wheels are like seamed stockings... I was Thrilled when I found my '75...

My KZ650 has 'em...
My Honda Dream has them...
My Puch 250 has them...
Heck, even my little Puch DS60 has 'em!

What would Sigmund Freud make of that...??

dontwantapickle wrote: ↑Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:45 am Out of all of the wings that I have owned,
I think the 78 was the best looking.

+1 (I have two each of '78 & '79)

Wire spokes? Let's just say that the rear on my '77 was only one of the wire spoked wheels I had to retire over the years but I've never had a problem with a ComStar.

I know you are asking about 1000s and specifically '78 and '79 model years but I have to say that after living with the '77 for a few years there were things I thought could be better and by the time my '83 was made they had addressed most of them, not to mention that I think the GL1100 came with just about the best looking bags ever.

I think that the early / late 1000 performance difference is overstated quite a bit. It's 3 hp peak. The power curve is significantly flatter on the later ones, which is nice if you're touring, have a passenger, etc. The early ones are a little more "peaky", which is fun for one up riding. I prefer the styling of the 78s myself.

I like the looks of all the early bikes, up to about 83 I think. They've all got their draw, but I do believe that I like my 78 the best. Black and gold is beautiful. I also like that yellow. Dark green metallic with the gold sets one off too plus I think th green is a comfortable color.