Wing window shopping but need to ask question

[Jersey mike]

I'm not looking to get rid of the Valkyrie but want to get something my wife would be more comfortable on so I'm not looking for expensive or even very recent.

I've owned 2 Wings in the past and she loved riding back there.

In this ad, the owner mentions what seems like an engine modification but I don't understand what it is.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1989-Honda-Gold-Wing-1500-ASPENCADE-115181317

What I don't understand is "4 degree advance wheel" on engine....can someone explain that in simple terms, or is it something I should not consider if I don't understand it.

I'm not in a hurry, more like looking toward next spring, what I'm doing is more or less pricing different years and such.

Thanks ,

Mike

[Bighead]

It is a timing advance. Got one on my Valk .

[Mr Whiskey]

He's either installed an aftermarket ign. timing wheel or modified the original one to move the timing an additional 4* forward. Makes the 1500 engine a bit more of a "hot rod" on take off & through the lower rev range but it's a trade off, you loose some top end. I modified the original one on my Valk with a file & mic. After I did she was stronger outta the hole no doubt but pretty much quit pullin' around 110 mph.
Here's one of the aftermarket ones for the Valk. Some say it can make it harder to start in cold weather.
http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500_valkyrie_trigger_wheel/86/159787

[BF]

I'd look at the next gen/1800 wings if it were me. 

[Mr Whiskey]

I'd look at the next gen/1800 wings if it were me. 

If it's in your price range, I must agree
World of difference between the gl1500 & gl1800, not jus' the motor!

[cookiedough]

If you are looking at an older, pre 2001, 1520cc Wing,  in my opinion, is definitely NOT more comfy than my 2001 Valk I/S.  Some 6-7 years ago, I was shopping for a 1995-1998 used 1520cc Wing and found a nice looking 1995 all decked out and test drove it with the wife wanting near 8 grand for it with around 35K miles.  Was comfy and too quiet but didn't like the ground clearnance for the bottom scrapped just doing a U turn in the road, plus wife was NOT happy on it on back NOT enough room for her and me in the saddle together.  

A few days later, we stumbled window shopping at a HOnda dealer a 2001 black pretty much stock Valk I/S with only 15K miles on it.  One spin some 8-10 miles even though not ridden much and needed a good cleaning, I knew it was better than the smaller, less comfy, older Wing for near the same price of 8K.

The Valk I/S is bigger in the saddle for both passenger and rider and for me, comfier as well for both.   Plus, the tupperware and dash on the older Wing was outdated and too quiet pipes even though my stock Valk I/S pipes are pretty quiet as well.  The Valk I/S also had a little more pep as well, but not as much as one would think, just enough to notice the difference.

I'd kick around instead say a 2003-2008 newer fuel injected, more modern and peppier 1832cc Wing if I was you for that 9-10 grand range with lower miles say 30-40K.  There are tons out there in the market as well to pick from just keep looking.  

If I could sell my Valk I/S today for say 7.5K, and I stumbled across at near the same time a 2003-2008 Wing which I have seen at times recently even for 8.5-9K with low mileage (under 45K) in maroon red,  I'd probably consider selling the Valk I/S and getting a used 1832cc Wing, even though I would loose the styling and looks of our old Valks.  

[Mr Whiskey]

Premium audio became standard issue on 'em in '06.

[Jersey mike]

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback.  I started riding Wings back in '85 when I bought my first '83 Aspencade. I was involved in 2 accidents on that bike,both times someone pulled out in front of me. The first was I hit them head on at about 35mph and destroyed the front end. Had the bike fixed, went on a week long trip up to Mount Washington and into Canada. Came home and went out for a burger and on the way home, some idiot tried to cross 3 lanes to make a left right in front of me and I hit him sideways. There was no time to do much else. The bags and the fairing and the engine guards protected my right leg and I flew 57' into on coming traffic, during rush hour and by the grace of God there wasn't anyone coming toward me. Ended up w a broken toe,but the bike was destroyed.

I took the ins money and bought another, when I moved to Fl I rode it down to Palm Beach County and when I came home it came with me. I had that bike until my 2nd child was born in '97, I sold it in the spring of '98.

I loved those 2 bikes, the 1100 had plenty of power for me then and if I can find another 1100 that would be fine as long as it was an Aspencade. Barbara doesn't really care for the power and she can't sit for too long, bad hip, but the air ride and comfy back rests suit her a little better. This is just so I can say "hey come on, we're going out for a couple hours and I want you with me".

I'd like to get a something in the $5-7k range...so that would probably put me in the 1500 range, but as I said right now I want to see what's out there, from what I've seen prices are all over the place.

Ride safe all, keep the rubber side down.

[Jess from VA]

The 4 degree wheel is not a big deal (on a Valk, it's 200 rpms higher than normal through the revs).  It's not a deal breaker and can be changed back to normal easily.  IMHO, it is a case of all blow and no show.

I have two '99 interstates.  The one with the 4-degree wheel is 62-3mph at 3K in 5th, the normal one is 67-8mph at 3k in 5th.  The one without likes unleaded regular better than the other,  but they both run OK with it (before my bike with the 4-degree was desmogged, o-ringed, tuned, synched, valves set, it knocked some on regular and I ran premium to lose the knock).  

But..... Valk ignition/timing is not identical with 1500 wings.

Make your decision based on OTHER things (but ask if he runs regular 87 with no knocks).    

[eric in md]

I'd look at the next gen/1800 wings if it were me. 

If it's in your price range, I must agree
World of difference between the gl1500 & gl1800, not jus' the motor!

you really think so??

[vanavyman]

Here are some of our impressions from owning a GL1500 for 10 years and a GL1800 for 2.  
* GL1500 is a little top heavy.
* GL1800 has a lower center of gravity and handles better in curves.
* Suspension is very different.  When the 1500 suspension is working correctly it may be the most soft comfortable ride for the passenger of any bike my wife has ridden.  She still likes the ride better than our 1800.  One way it was explained to me was a 1500 rides like a Cadillac and a 1800 rides like a BMW. I've known a couple of guys that have spent a lot of money trying to get their 1800 to have a soft ride like their old 1500s.  They were not able to get it done.
* Power and fuel injection is what I wanted most in making the change.
* Seems if you have over a 34" inseam it is difficult to get comfortable on either, I'm glad mine is 33" and I've changed the seat and footpegs to help me get comfortable on both of ours.  
* Issue with the GL1500 today is similar to the issue with our Valkyrie's.  Getting non-mechanical parts is very hard for the GL1500.  I've always advised anyone looking at a Valkyrie or GL1500 to buy one with the as many extras as you can find.  Can always remove anything you don't want and sell it.  Parts for a GL1800 are still easy to find to help make it your own.

Dan

[cookiedough]

Yah, if limited to 5 to 7K or so would have to consider the 1500 wing vs. 1800 wing for sure.  I guess if you both are not heavier set (over 200lbs.+),  then 1500 wing is perfectly fine for your intended purpose since I found the ergos not big enoughf or both passenger/rider being a tad bit cramped.  For some reason, the Valk I/S we have has more stretch out room vs. the Wing, even the 1800 newer Wings.   Found my Valk I/S very similar to the F6B out now for roominess and more stretch out room than even the 1832cc Wing being more cramped and upright 'in the plastic' face.

I surely don't regret going around and around debating whether to buy that slightly older 1500 Wing or my 2001 Valk I/S with less than 1/2 the mileage on it as well.  The Valk wons hands down.   The Wing though does have reverse and about 3-4 times now would have come in handy that my Valk I/S did not.

Now in next few years,  hard to decide on used F6B or used Wing, but will probably have to wait for a long while until kids are out of college in next 6+ more years. 

[Big Bear]

The 4 degree wheel is not a big deal (on a Valk, it's 200 rpms higher than normal through the revs).  It's not a deal breaker and can be changed back to normal easily.  IMHO, it is a case of all blow and no show.

I have two '99 interstates.  The one with the 4-degree wheel is 62-3mph at 3K in 5th, the normal one is 67-8mph at 3k in 5th.  The one without likes unleaded regular better than the other,  but they both run OK with it (before my bike with the 4-degree was desmogged, o-ringed, tuned, synched, valves set, it knocked some on regular and I ran premium to lose the knock).  

But..... Valk ignition/timing is not identical with 1500 wings.

Make your decision based on OTHER things (but ask if he runs regular 87 with no knocks).    

This post does not make sense to me.   Ignition timing has nothing to do with how fast the wheel spins at any specific rpm.  That is all gearing and tire circumference.  If you change the trigger wheel on the bikes you are talking about the rpm to speedo numbers should remain with the bike and not move with the trigger wheel.

If I am missing something can someone point out what it is?  Thanks

[Jess from VA]

I'm no gear head, but advancing the timing does increase the rpms; at least it does on my bikes.  200 is not much, but my reported speeds at 3k rpms in 5th gear on the bikes are accurate, and the 4 degree wheel is the only difference between the bikes.

[Cracker Jack]

I'm no gear head, but advancing the timing does increase the rpms; at least it does on my bikes.  200 is not much, but my reported speeds at 3k rpms in 5th gear on the bikes are accurate, and the 4 degree wheel is the only difference between the bikes.

You should'a stopped when you said "I'm no gear head".

[Jess from VA]

I'm no gear head, but advancing the timing does increase the rpms; at least it does on my bikes.  200 is not much, but my reported speeds at 3k rpms in 5th gear on the bikes are accurate, and the 4 degree wheel is the only difference between the bikes.

You should'a stopped when you said "I'm no gear head".

Do I have it wrong? 

[Cracker Jack]

I'm no gear head, but advancing the timing does increase the rpms; at least it does on my bikes.  200 is not much, but my reported speeds at 3k rpms in 5th gear on the bikes are accurate, and the 4 degree wheel is the only difference between the bikes.

You should'a stopped when you said "I'm no gear head".

Do I have it wrong? 

Yes, you do have it wrong. The relationship between road speed and engine RPM is purely mechanical and is determined by the ratio of gearing between the motor and rear wheel. Big Bear is absolutely right. The engine ignition timing has nothing to do with that relationship.

[Jess from VA]

Well I believe you, and what you say makes sense, but why the (very consistent) 4-5 MPH difference in my bikes at 3k rpm in 5th?  Both are identical 99's with the same tires and everything but the 4* wheel. 

[RP#62]

It increases the idle RPM, which probably carries through the throttle range to some extent, but can't change gear ratios.

-RP

[Earl43P]

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/mcy/5095773603.html

No affiliation, fly down and ride it home.
Deals are out there!

Here's another: http://smd.craigslist.org/mcy/5123301370.html