I know there are some early Goldwing fans here

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I was checking out FB marketplace; window shopping. I always search the word Valkyrie. Tonight, this 78 Wing in CT showed up in the search. About as clean as I've seen in the last 20 years or so.  No affiliation. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/917868272054052/

[Robert]

The guy must live in a time warp,  The car behind the bike is a 60's P1800 Volvo. Now that is funny or amazing the guy seems to know how to care for his stuff, and holds on to it. The boat has also been around for a few years.

[98valk]

there are some nice ones out there.

saw this supercharged GL1200 the other day on craigslist.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/mcy/d/washington-very-rare-1985-supercharged/7152791441.html

[msb]

Ya, I'm a fan of them. I seriously considered grabbing this one a couple months ago....it was owned by a lifelong MC mechanic who had gone through the entire bike to bring her up to snuff late last year. Always wanted one to bomb around locally on, but I decided to save the space in my garage for an adventure tour as my second bike instead.
That one there looks in great condition as well.

[AwesomeDad]

My goal is to get a first year wing, and the 50th anniversary when it comes out on my 50th Birthday....

JJ

[Patrick]

I've been thinking about a lighter cafe type bike and one of these might make a nice one.

[Bret SD]

there are some nice ones out there.

saw this supercharged GL1200 the other day on craigslist.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/mcy/d/washington-very-rare-1985-supercharged/7152791441.html

Supercharged eh.. Never even imagined that on mine, did the guy who built the supercharger give you any data on power production? Mine's an 82 and scoots along pretty good, especially when ridden as a bagger (which is most of the time) but it's definitely not like the Valk.

[mello dude]

These are photos of photos... but I had this for a few years before I bought the Valk....

[John Schmidt]

An '84 Std. I put together a couple years ago, sold it to my granddaughter's husband who rode it almost daily to/from work for about 18 months. This thing would really scoot, really a blast to ride. He was running over 80mph on the way home via the tollway. Has Valkyrie handlebars & controls, and Valk I/S pickup for the speedo. Mounted a Harley Sportster windshield. Cut down the stock seat...doesn't look like much but was comfortable. I replaced the "praying mantis" look with an electronic gauge, then used a SpeedoHealer to set the speedometer reading to perfection. Wouldn't mind another one but think I'll stick with the Valkyrie next time. The motor is an '85 FI unit which I converted to carbs, had 23k miles on the motor when I got it. Did a desmog before installing the carbs, turned it into a real beast.

[Bret SD]

An '84 Std. I put together a couple years ago, sold it to my granddaughter's husband who rode it almost daily to/from work for about 18 months. This thing would really scoot, really a blast to ride. He was running over 80mph on the way home via the tollway. Has Valkyrie handlebars & controls, and Valk I/S pickup for the speedo. Mounted a Harley Sportster windshield. Cut down the stock seat...doesn't look like much but was comfortable. I replaced the "praying mantis" look with an electronic gauge, then used a SpeedoHealer to set the speedometer reading to perfection. Wouldn't mind another one but think I'll stick with the Valkyrie next time. The motor is an '85 FI unit which I converted to carbs, had 23k miles on the motor when I got it. Did a desmog before installing the carbs, turned it into a real beast.

Wow!
I love that bike 

[Reb]

older wings are a dime a dozen anymore. I picked this project up in early Spring for 400$ (No title included)



 

[John Schmidt]

Bretshim, I forgot to mention the tank on my GL1200 project pics, that's an actual Valkyrie tank off a '99 that I adapted to the 1200. The OEM tank had more rust holes than metal. Mounted it with a hinge at the rear bolt so to get at the air filter, fuses, etc., just remove the front bolt and tip it up. Preferably with a low or empty tank. The headlight is aftermarket, was chrome but was sanded and painted black except for the ring around the lamp. Had to make my own mounting bracket.

[GiG]

John - What happened on the tollway at 80mph?
(Love what how you restored that bike!).

[John Schmidt]

John - What happened on the tollway at 80mph?
(Love what how you restored that bike!).

Nothing Gig, but was kinda funny the way it turned out. He got on the bike and headed out with my granddaughter & kids following in the car. Before they left I told her to call me to let me know they all got home ok, I didn't hear from them for a few hours so finally called out of concern. She laughed, said he had been out cleaning/polishing the bike the last 2-3 hrs.  Then told me she was following him on the tollway and could see his big stupid grin and she was showing just under 85mph on the car speedo. She figured that meant he was doing around 80 or below since all bikes are inaccurate. I explained about the SpeedoHealer and if his speedo said 85, that's what he was doing. Then she got a little pissed at him so I decided to hang up. 

[Bret SD]

Bretshim, I forgot to mention the tank on my GL1200 project pics, that's an actual Valkyrie tank off a '99 that I adapted to the 1200. The OEM tank had more rust holes than metal. Mounted it with a hinge at the rear bolt so to get at the air filter, fuses, etc., just remove the front bolt and tip it up. Preferably with a low or empty tank. The headlight is aftermarket, was chrome but was sanded and painted black except for the ring around the lamp. Had to make my own mounting bracket.

John, that's incredible! I looked at the tank and thought it was just the Valk badge.. I've been busy as h*ll and working on a roof in the heat so I'm not very observant, brain fried Haha..
 The look with that tank on there is incredible, now I want to re-do mine someday, probably won't but you've inspired me to think out of the box a bit.. that tank makes it look like a whole different bike.

So you chopped the fenders? And did an adapter on the exhaust? The headlight looks retro.. and I dig the license plate mounting.

It looks like a cafe bike/sport bike hybrid.. just incredible is all I can say!

[gordonv]

John do you have the link to the build, maybe repost it, I would mind looking it over again too?

Wasn't the fender a metal one from HF, trailer or tractor?

[John Schmidt]

Bretshim, I forgot to mention the tank on my GL1200 project pics, that's an actual Valkyrie tank off a '99 that I adapted to the 1200. The OEM tank had more rust holes than metal. Mounted it with a hinge at the rear bolt so to get at the air filter, fuses, etc., just remove the front bolt and tip it up. Preferably with a low or empty tank. The headlight is aftermarket, was chrome but was sanded and painted black except for the ring around the lamp. Had to make my own mounting bracket.

John, that's incredible! I looked at the tank and thought it was just the Valk badge.. I've been busy as h*ll and working on a roof in the heat so I'm not very observant, brain fried Haha..
 The look with that tank on there is incredible, now I want to re-do mine someday, probably won't but you've inspired me to think out of the box a bit.. that tank makes it look like a whole different bike.

So you chopped the fenders? And did an adapter on the exhaust? The headlight looks retro.. and I dig the license plate mounting.

It looks like a cafe bike/sport bike hybrid.. just incredible is all I can say!

On the right side you'll notice a vertical silver tube mounted adjacent to the radiator. That's an SS overflow tank, had to do that since the OEM tank was blocked from its mount by the Valk tank. And so you could ck. the fluid level, I just connected it with a clear hose and once the radiator was filled I marked the hi/lo levels on that tube with a touch of black paint. I also converted it to a braking system like our Valks have....pedal for the rear & hand brake for the two front calipers. Got rid of the split system it came with, just blocked off one of the outputs on the rear m/c. Was a fun build over a period of about four years as time and money allowed.

When my granddaughter's hubby sold it, he asked $2000 and always posted the list of work done which I gave him when he bought it. Basically, everything from axle to axle was new/rebuilt. When one kid came to look at it he fussed about the price so he was given a copy of the list of work. His mechanic friend he brought along took one look at it and told him to "give him the $2000 and shut up about it." Kid rode it home about 30 miles away, called back and was apparently thrilled by his "new bike."

[John Schmidt]

John do you have the link to the build, maybe repost it, I would mind looking it over again too?

Wasn't the fender a metal one from HF, trailer or tractor?

Yes, Northern Tool, cost less than $20. Cut about 8" off the back end and reshaped the front with a lip to lay flat on the swingarm so I could bolt it in place with a piece of 1/4" thick rubber to reduce vibration. I had the entire rear end set up to move with the swingarm. As for pics of the build, I might still have them but InZane is coming up and I'm leaving in less than 24 hrs. so lots to still do. I'll look when I return.

[mello dude]

Sweet job on the GW, John 

[Bret SD]

Bretshim, I forgot to mention the tank on my GL1200 project pics, that's an actual Valkyrie tank off a '99 that I adapted to the 1200. The OEM tank had more rust holes than metal. Mounted it with a hinge at the rear bolt so to get at the air filter, fuses, etc., just remove the front bolt and tip it up. Preferably with a low or empty tank. The headlight is aftermarket, was chrome but was sanded and painted black except for the ring around the lamp. Had to make my own mounting bracket.

John, that's incredible! I looked at the tank and thought it was just the Valk badge.. I've been busy as h*ll and working on a roof in the heat so I'm not very observant, brain fried Haha..
 The look with that tank on there is incredible, now I want to re-do mine someday, probably won't but you've inspired me to think out of the box a bit.. that tank makes it look like a whole different bike.

So you chopped the fenders? And did an adapter on the exhaust? The headlight looks retro.. and I dig the license plate mounting.

It looks like a cafe bike/sport bike hybrid.. just incredible is all I can say!

On the right side you'll notice a vertical silver tube mounted adjacent to the radiator. That's an SS overflow tank, had to do that since the OEM tank was blocked from its mount by the Valk tank. And so you could ck. the fluid level, I just connected it with a clear hose and once the radiator was filled I marked the hi/lo levels on that tube with a touch of black paint. I also converted it to a braking system like our Valks have....pedal for the rear & hand brake for the two front calipers. Got rid of the split system it came with, just blocked off one of the outputs on the rear m/c. Was a fun build over a period of about four years as time and money allowed.

When my granddaughter's hubby sold it, he asked $2000 and always posted the list of work done which I gave him when he bought it. Basically, everything from axle to axle was new/rebuilt. When one kid came to look at it he fussed about the price so he was given a copy of the list of work. His mechanic friend he brought along took one look at it and told him to "give him the $2000 and shut up about it." Kid rode it home about 30 miles away, called back and was apparently thrilled by his "new bike."

That's a lot of time to play with it.. then sell for 2k? The guy who bought it was really lucky, that bike's one of a kind.

What is the 'SS overflow tube' from? It looks like something off a boiler, but nicer..

[John Schmidt]

What is the 'SS overflow tube' from? It looks like something off a boiler, but nicer..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It's an aftermarket item designed as an overflow. I forget the name of the company I got it from but it's a well known vendor of all types of automotive equipment...just drawing a blank at the moment, got it at least 5 yrs. ago. My granddaughter's hubby gave me $2500 for it so I broke even, he later resold it for $2k. I was using the project as something to occupy my time while taking care of my wife. I couldn't go anywhere during that time so this gave me something to keep my hands busy. I bought a baby monitor and would set it in whichever room she was in, I would clip the receiver to my belt. I could walk 100 yds. up the street and it still would pick her up. If she needed me she only needed to speak in normal tones and it came through loud and clear. That went on for a few years until May last year.

Just remembered....the overflow came from Summit Racing Equipment.

[Bret SD]

What is the 'SS overflow tube' from? It looks like something off a boiler, but nicer..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It's an aftermarket item designed as an overflow. I forget the name of the company I got it from but it's a well known vendor of all types of automotive equipment...just drawing a blank at the moment, got it at least 5 yrs. ago. My granddaughter's hubby gave me $2500 for it so I broke even, he later resold it for $2k. I was using the project as something to occupy my time while taking care of my wife. I couldn't go anywhere during that time so this gave me something to keep my hands busy. I bought a baby monitor and would set it in whichever room she was in, I would clip the receiver to my belt. I could walk 100 yds. up the street and it still would pick her up. If she needed me she only needed to speak in normal tones and it came through loud and clear. That went on for a few years until May last year.

Just remembered....the overflow came from Summit Racing Equipment.

Thanks for all the info John, and again, great job and imagination on tho old wing. 

[mello dude]

Visited a shop yesterday... Williams Vintage Motorcycles to check on a some parts.
But anyway, the inventory of old bikes was impressive, including this 5000 mile old GW.

Beautiful.


Kawi 900


Yam Enduro

[mello dude]

Honda 750


Showroom

[cookiedough]

if one would consider an older goldwing would one prefer the 70s 1100cc or early 80s 1200cc and reasons why?

[Oldfishguy]

The early naked wings are the most collectible, especially the vibrant colored ones.  But still, a great running/looking one does not command a lot of money ($2000-$3500 roughly).  And I see them typically sitting for sale at length till the right rider comes along.

I sold a 73 350F this summer.  Typically I’m always hunting for the next project so I picked up this 71 CL450 a few weeks ago.  Needs work (tranny mostly), a good winter project.

[Bret SD]

This looks to be a nice bike for cheap..
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/d/vista-1982-honda-goldwing/7193928375.html

[msb]

As per another post of mine, the Mrs remembered how fond I was of the '78  shown above in my initial reply here, that I had looked at earlier this Spring. She wound up getting it for me for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She's mine now and she's a beaut. Have put almost 1000 km on her so far... rides like a dream

[The emperor has no clothes]

As per another post of mine, the Mrs remembered how fond I was of the '78  shown above in my initial reply here, that I had looked at earlier this Spring. She wound up getting it for me for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She's mine now and she's a beaut. Have put almost 1000 km on her so far... rides like a dream

I have to say, that has got to be my favorite vintage of Wings. 

[JimC]

As per another post of mine, the Mrs remembered how fond I was of the '78  shown above in my initial reply here, that I had looked at earlier this Spring. She wound up getting it for me for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She's mine now and she's a beaut. Have put almost 1000 km on her so far... rides like a dream

You have a double keeper, The bike and the wife!

I have had 3 of that vintage, just gave the last one away a few months ago.

Jim

[Oldfishguy]

Very nice machine! 

I love riding the vintage machines without windscreens, the days of youth come back.

[Bret SD]

As per another post of mine, the Mrs remembered how fond I was of the '78  shown above in my initial reply here, that I had looked at earlier this Spring. She wound up getting it for me for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She's mine now and she's a beaut. Have put almost 1000 km on her so far... rides like a dream

Beautiful bike, congrats.. I have to agree it's my favorite vintage wing.