Inaugural Ride Report - 1977 Honda Gold Wing GL1000

 I hauled my "new to me" 1977 Honda Gold WIng GL1000 home from
Napoleon, Ohio, last weekend, and this week I removed the bolt-on
clear plexiglass fairing, the vintage aftermarket throttle lock, and
the equally vintage engine case guards.  At this point the bike is
totally stock with the exception of the missing passenger grab rail.
Everything works, down to the last light on th dashboard, and the bike
starts easily, warms quickly, and idles smoothly at just under 1,000
rpm.

Last night I took it out for a brief, inaugural ride.   It was about
39 degrees F, and I was not really dressed for the cold.  Plus, the
bike is not yet titled, registered, tagged, inspected, or insured in
Virginia.  So it was a short ride, about three suburban miles.

First impression is that the bike is an antique.  Controls are mushy
and long-travel, little feedback, and suspension, brakes, and throttle
response are all on the low end of adequate.  The seating position is
comfortable, sit-up without the "beg", arms comfortably bent, legs
underneath me. seat broad, flat, and a good compromise between soft
and hard.  The headlight (it was night time) is merely adequate.  The
horn is merely adequate, the turn signals are big and bright, but the
oem reminder beeper is hideously annoying.  High beam works, but is
diffuse and indistinct.  The front brakes are wooden feeling, but with
enough four-finger pressure, they will haul the bike down, but not
after first collapsing the front forks as though there were no springs
or fork oil in them.  Rear brake is surprisingly good, probably the
closest thing to a modern control feel and reaction on the entire
bike.   Throttle response is linear, with a very minor flat spot
around 2,800-3,100 arpm, but only noticeable at small throttle
openings in higher gears.  Not even detectable under normal street
acceleration and hard acceleration.  The rear shocks are typical  of
that era, oversprung and underdamped, making the back of the bike act
like a pogo stick/trailer following the front end.  And this is a bike
that has been meticulously maintained, and on which EVERYTHING works.
Pretty bad.

Second impression is "H'mmm, not bad power for a 31-year-old
motorcycle."   The bike gets up and goes.  If I had not hopped up my
Harley to over 150% of its stock output, this Gold Wing would stomp
it, the 450cc displacement and 29 year development deficits
notwithstanding.   As it is, the Wing feels linear and accelerates in
a whooshing, skirt-gathering, rush.  Fun.   Not fast by today's
standards, but certainly not slow.   The bike shifts with a nice,
light, oiled, precision.  Up or down, makes no difference, no clunks,
thunks, or undue effort.  Transmission gets an A+.  The bike also
belies it's claimed 595 pound dry weight, as well.

Final impression:  Yeah, I could ride this.  It's not a replacement
for EITHER of my current bikes, but it is damn fun.   It will need
fork springs, fork oil, fork seals, a  fork brace, a newer headlamp,
removal of the turn signal beeper, new rear shocks, braided steel
brake lines and softer brake pads, a new front tire (the 5-year-old
touring Dunlop on it is SCARY HARD plasticky junk), and some lower
handlebars.  The cafe racer taillight and Corbin solo saddle will be
for looks only....

 On Nov 21, 12:39�pm, "tomor...@erols.com"


When the "new" wears off, box it up and ship it to Cut Bank, MT, where
S'mee will know what to do with an Old Wing...

 On Nov 21, 12:39 pm, "tomor...@erols.com"
ht, as well.

Might want to throw some new cables at it too.

 Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:

On a bike that old, I always like to check/grease/replace steering head
bearings, swingarm bearings, and replace the wheel bearings. Together
with the suspension fixes you mentioned, it gives you the equivalent of
a brand new (and safe!) chassis.

I would also completely strip the brake calipers and replace the seals,
and possibly the pistons if needed.  Usually I give the pistons and bores
a once-over with crocus cloth.

 On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:33:19 -0600, Mark Olson wrote:


... and, while you have the swingarm off, split it and lube the rear
splines with Honda moly grease.

--
.. Be Seeing You,
.. Chuck Rhode, Sheboygan, WI, USA
.. Weather:  http://LacusVeris.com/WX
.. 20° — Wind Calm — Sky overcast.