1000, 1100 or 1200 GL

[Hook#3287]

So I'm thinking of picking up a older wing, while I'm in FL, to take back north with me.

My plan is to strip it down and make it a bobber or custom streeter.

My question is, what would you guys consider the better platform to start with, 1000, 1100 or 1200, and why?

There are definitely people on this board that know more about this than I do, so I thought I'd tap the knowledge tree here.

Thanks in advance.

Bill 

[sheets]

I had a 1200. I'm no expert on Wings, but if you choose the 1200 be mindful of the stator issues. Determine if it has been replaced or connections modified. If the stator/harness is OEM original it will require repair at some point. Not a matter of if, but when. Otherwise a great machine - even in its stock configuration. Yrmv, 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I had a 1200 ... My wife and I put alot of miles on that bike.

[Hook#3287]

Thanks Sheets

Nice picture Joe

[Michvalk]

I've had one of each a 78 1000, an 81 1100, and an 86 1200. My favorite was the 1000, but not for the all out performance. All three were full dressers, and were not beat on. The 1000 was the smoothest, quietest, most economical Wing of the bunch. Rode it the farthest as well

[bill-jr]

I gota 1200 interstate in the garage right now I been tinkering with when I am at home .... It was 500 bucks Ifin I can get it running again I think it will be a very nice ride .....

[bagelboy]

I own 2 1200 Aspencades. Great bikes, lots of power, economical, great for 2 up. I wouldn't have 2 if they weren't nice!

[John Schmidt]

They all had stator issues(1000-1200), traced mainly to a meltdown of the three prong connector in the output side. That caused most old GL owners to get rid of the connector and hardwire it together, thereby removing the weak link....the plastic connector. If you go the 1200 route, try to get '85 or later. The '84 engine had the spark/timing generator buried on the back of the engine. The '85 engine moved it to the front like the Valkyrie and GL1500 Wings. Easier to get at and less prone to trouble. As for the stator, there are plans available to mount an external automotive alternator buried under the false tank in front. The guys just cut the old stator output wires and seal it until the day they may have to remove the engine, at which time they remove it and close off the area to the outside. If they never have to remove the engine, it stays in there for the life of the bike, doesn't cause any problem.

[R J]

I had one of each size also, not a problem except for the 96 SEi, fuel injection.

Honda put the exhaust pipe tooooo close to the fuel pump.

Ended up the 1100 bike got run over by a truck in a parking lot.

His insurance bought me a new bike.

For some reason the Insurance Company never came after the old one, so a year later I pulled the engine and put a blower on and installed it in a Garden Tractor. 

We used to have tractor pulls every Saturday from the Last week in April till the end of the 2nd week of September.

There used to be some hellish rigs and fast ones.  A lot of them used VW motors.  Them VW's could wind till the cows came home.

[bagelboy]

As far as the stator issue, I got the "poor boy kit" and mounted a new alternator on both. The alternator is far superior to the stator, and I'm glad I made the move to replace them.  Otherwise, my 87' Aspencades have been flawless!

[Hook#3287]

Some good info and stories

RJ, you got any pictures of that wing/tractor?

Thanks guys, I'm going to look at a bike soon,  if it works out I'll probably be looking for more help.

[jdp]

Go to the naked gold wing web,man they have some sweet looking bikes,they fix them up like cafe bobbers and all the parts are cheap,I bought 2 of them just because the parts are cheap and easy to work on and all those guys in that club are very friendly and helpful,check them out

[Xtracho]

Have an '84 Aspencade. True the stator issue is a concern. But as John said earlier, hard wiring the three yellow wires is the fix. Also, get rid of the dog bone fuse for the starter relay. Those bikes...from the 1000 to the 1200 are all good, reliable rides. My Aspencade will be coming up for sale very soon if anyone is interested.

[Daddie O]

I've had a 1000, and an 1100.  I preferred the 1000.  Hard to quantify, it just felt better.