Starting my midlife crisis, here to soak up information

[saganaga]

Spend a lot of my life bicycling year round, which I still do (easiest way to commute to work, even in Minnesota).

Then last year, a friend of mine was giving away an old Honda scooter, which was easy enough to get running again and is far too much fun for 50cc.

Decided that since I was middle aged (not sure how that happened), I should start my midlife crisis so I got my motorcycle permit. Bought an old cheap 400cc Honda with low miles, and discovered that I liked that as well. Hondas are easy enough to work on and the parts seem to be common. Probably should have known more before buying it, but it gave me an opportunity to learn how to fix things. Then I took the MSF and picked up my license a few weeks later.

Thinking I want another Honda sooner or later so before I jump in and buy one, I decided I should soak up some information about Gold Wings. Not sure what I want to get just yet, and I'm probably a year away from buying, but maybe something around an '83 or so. I do like the look of the naked Gold Wings, but I'm also fond of the cargo capacity of the full Interstate setup. Either way, I'll probably wait until I see something cheap.

So that's my story. Don't know anything about Gold Wings, but I'm here to learn.

 

[desertrefugee]

Well, by golly, grab a chair, sit back and join in. There's surely enough banter around here to keep you entertained - and become familiar with the superlative engineering to be found in the GL line.

Welcome!

 

[Two85s]

Welcome, If your looking for cheep keep a eye on Facebook. that's where I found mine

 

[Tom_Charlton]

Facebook is a good place to pickup older wings. One caution: If you see what looks like a good deal, post the details on here for free advice and opinions.

 

[saganaga]

The only problem I see with older Gold Wings is that I'm unsure of the mileage. I see some with 50k miles or 80k miles, but I'm not sure if they've rolled over once or not.

Also not sure what is problematic mileage on a Gold Wing. Or what problems a high mileage bike brings. That's why I'm here.

 

[wilcoy02]

Glad you found this forum- Welcome.

I like the 80 -83 goldwings.
What ever bike you find CHANGE the timing belts first thing.
Here are 2 links to my logs on this site. It will give you an idea what to expect on getting a wing.

viewtopic.php?f=123&t=13115

viewtopic.php?f=123&t=13115

A wing with only 50-60k miles is just getting broke in.

 

[mcgovern61]

High mileage. That is a tough one to determine. I ran around on an '81 engine that had 169,000 miles on it. At that point, it was high mileage and sounded like a diesel (just a little bit of piston slap and bearing knock). :hihihi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS-71Bs_1Oc




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SyhI7BDnhE

 

[julimike54]

Welcome to The Forum and enjoy! As you might can tell I'm partial to the 1200s

 

[mjanderson]

Welcome!

 

[D-50Dave]

I have an '81 Interstate that I've owned since 1989. It now has 78,000 and runs like a swiss watch. The fairing really extends the riding season here in New England. I have a smaller ('80 Honda Twinstar) that I blast around town on "out in the wind". Carbs are the big Bug-a Boo on these bikes. If its been sitting and won"t start up, it could be a real project to address. I wouldn't worry much about mileage. these things are seem to go forever if well cared for.

 

[Dadster]

desertrefugee » Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:57 pm[/url]":2jkbdj8m]
Well, by golly, grab a chair, sit back and join in. There's surely enough banter around here to keep you entertained - and become familiar with the superlative engineering to be found in the GL line.

Welcome!

Yea. What he said. :wave:

 

[Ansimp]

Welcome from Oz

 

[wedoo2]

You're in luck. I have an 82 for sale and I'm in Terre Haute, IN. If you look at my posts I have done about all a guy can do to these bikes. The bike is beautiful and runs like a top. (whatever that means)

Here is the CL listing
https://terrehaute.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1982-gl1100-gold-wing/6720109727.html

Never mind the price, we'll work out something better. Either way welcome from beautiful Indiana.

 

[wedoo2]

Oh saganaga (what the hell is that?) the Vikings have a real problem tomorrow.


Obvious Bears fan.

 

[pidjones]

The bike is beautiful and runs like a top. (whatever that means)

Spins around, wobbles, then falls over? Are you sure you want to use this analogy?

 

[D-50Dave]

pidjones » 15 minutes ago[/url]":ajx3w3xv]

The bike is beautiful and runs like a top. (whatever that means)

Spins around, wobbles, then falls over? Are you sure you want to use this analogy?

:smilie_happy: :smilie_happy:

 

[Ansimp]

You could be describing me!! :smilie_happy:

 

[wedoo2]

I wish I ran like a top.

 

[saganaga]

wedoo2 » Today, 7:05 am[/url]":3fqxn87y]
Oh saganaga (what the hell is that?) the Vikings have a real problem tomorrow.

Obvious Bears fan.

There's a GW on Facebook market right now with a Packer's sticker.

As for Saganaga, it's a big lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail on the Minnesota/Ontario border. When I was thinking of a screen name, I remembered seeing a lot of motorcycles the last time my wife and I traveled to the Boundary Waters.

 

[saganaga]

julimike54 » November 15th, 2018, 10:53 pm[/url]":21dyvoge]
Welcome to The Forum and enjoy! As you might can tell I'm partial to the 1200s

I was doing some more reading today, and the 1200s sound intriguing. Hydraulic lifters would reduce maintenance, and that started with the GL1200s, right?