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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Considering a 1977 Honda Gold Wing...

July 8, 2008 9:27 p.m. Racer1ab None

Hey everyone, this is my first post on the new board...I used to go by drivesideways46 on the old board.

Anyway, I've been considering finding an older motorcycle to commute to work on...and I came across a fellow selling a 1977 Honda Gold Wing that's in very good condition.

Would anyone on here have any experience with these 1000cc beasties? I've only ever ridden chain-driven dirtbikes, so street driving on a shaft-driven bike would be a whole new experience for me.

The bike has roughly 16k miles on it, has a pair of less-restrictive pipes affixed to it, and been given a fairly comprehensive restoration. New brakes, tires, filters, etc...owner is selling because he has a bunch of other vintage Hondas, and would rather ride his older 750's than the larger Gold Wing.

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.
July 8, 2008 9:33 p.m. neon4891 HalfDork

buy it
July 8, 2008 10:20 p.m. stroker New Reader

Depends on what he's asking for it. Should be a solid bike if it's in the condition you describe, though.
July 8, 2008 10:38 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

I ride a 1980 Honda, 500cc. (see it in the reader's rides) I talk to a few Goldwing owners on the road, especially the older ones because I like them. For one, don't worry about the age of the bike, a well-maintained Goldwing will run forever. For two, they are easy to work on and there is a pretty good community out there. Parts are easy to source and not that expensive. It has great power and is smooth to ride. I have never ridden anything but a shaft drive so I can't really compare, but I have never had a problem. I love the fact that I never have to adjust anything, just add some grease annually. Same goes for liquid-cooled. Really nice to idle away in traffic in the heat an not worry about overheating like the air cooled guys.

Personally, I love the original Goldwings when they have no bags or windshields. Cool-looking cruisers.
July 9, 2008 5:36 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

You sure you want a bike that big? They are very heavy, and if you drop it you won't be picking it up by yourself. They are made for long distance cruising and not really for commuting, IMO.

For myself, I've never seen the appeal of such things. I'd personally just buy a Miata because the thing is damn near as big as a car anyway. Then I can use it year round and autocross it too!
July 9, 2008 5:57 a.m. 914Driver HalfDork

I've ridden for many years and don't think I would do it unless it was a smoking deal, like almost free. Wrestling one around the garage is a handful, you can pick it up your self but there's a trick to it. There are so many types and sizes of bikes out there, take your time and find one that fits you (& your experience).

If you're looking to start riding on the street, start smaller.

If you want to save gas on the commute, get a smaller car.

Dan
July 9, 2008 6:49 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

Contrary to the comments given, the Wing wrestles around easily, and is easy to pick up if it falls over. The center of gravity is quite low.

Being a 77, it's not a dresser. At least not oem. Things can be retrofitted to the bike, and the aftermarket world covered it well for a time. That time has long past of course.

The bike was always a docile machine, and that's all it can ever be. There's really nothing out there to hotrod it, and it wouldn't do much anyways without really extensive work. So it squirts along, but don't expect much from it in the way of wheelies or stopies and such.

It was never light on gas, but it's not a guzzler either.

Personally, it's not a bike I'd want. That said, if someone wanted to essentially give me a good one, I wouldn't refuse it. My favorite GL series was the 1200.
July 9, 2008 8:46 a.m. Dr. Hess UberDork

My dad had a 79 GL11 (1100) with no faring/bags. I rode it once (hangs head in shame). It'd do what you wanted of it. Plenty of power. The water pump went out. At the time, I had the worst big twin HD ever made (79), and while I had a lot of problems with that bike, I never, ever had the water pump go out. I've also heard that you MUST do the timing belts on schedule or expect to replace the valves.
July 9, 2008 8:55 a.m. confuZion3 HalfDork

How much is he asking? If you like it, test ride it. Then buy it, and don't look back.
July 9, 2008 8:57 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

This is what they look like without all the dressing. They are pretty manageable, but definetaly heftier than a CX500 or CB750.
July 9, 2008 9:40 a.m. minimac Dork

If it is in good shape, and the price is right, go for it. It will get you back and forth smoothly with enough power for nice cruising. Vetter bags, trunk, and fairing are nice additions to improve the comfort and utility. The weight mass is very low and it's a decently balanced machine. I have seen them with well over two hundred thousand miles with virtually very little in repairs. Most parts are interchangeable with the 1200s. I currently ride a Goldwing 1500SE and was surprised how manageable the big dresser is.
July 9, 2008 11:49 a.m. MadScientistMatt HalfDork

The biggest problem is it is a pretty hefty bike, a lot heavier than a dirt bike. A CX500 (which was sort of meant as a smaller companion bike to the Goldwing in many ways) is not quite so heavy but still a porker; my first bike was one of the 500s. It was shaft driven and my current bike has a chain, but it doesn't seem to have a huge effect on handling - at least not compared to the rest of the differences.
July 9, 2008 12:27 p.m. GregW New Reader

buy it if it starts.
July 9, 2008 12:41 p.m. HoonerZX3 New Reader

If your goal is to save gas, get an older 500 or 650. They have enough get up and go plus they get great mpg. Shaft drive is a huge asset in a commuting machine, dealing with the chain can be a pita if you are driving in all weathers.
July 9, 2008 1:24 p.m. stuart in mn Dork

Dr. Hess wrote: At the time, I had the worst big twin HD ever made (79), and while I had a lot of problems with that bike, I never, ever had the water pump go out.

Really? I heard H-D water pumps broke all the time.
July 9, 2008 2:30 p.m. Lugnut Reader

stuart in mn wrote:
Dr. Hess wrote: At the time, I had the worst big twin HD ever made (79), and while I had a lot of problems with that bike, I never, ever had the water pump go out.

Really? I heard H-D water pumps broke all the time.

I hear a lot of people replace those H-D water pumps with VW Beetle or Porsche 914 water pumps. That kept mine from breaking.
July 9, 2008 2:48 p.m. Duke Dork

stuart in mn wrote: Really? I heard H-D water pumps broke all the time.

Ride a Harley, ride the best; ride a mile, walk the rest...
April 4, 2009 2:17 p.m. 1snowbird

Well read my profile, I almost died on my 77 GL100 last year, but the bikes in better shape than me, great bikes here comes the pole... Ahhhhhhhhhh, Bam
April 4, 2009 4:09 p.m. TR3only Reader

No one has mentioned the "jacking" effect that distinguishes bikes with shaft drive. I used to own an '82 Yamaha 650 Seca and while it rode and handled like a dream, you will notice a difference on those RARE occasions when you suddenly jump on the gas, and it feels like the chassis is sort of doing an accordian imitation.

If you were looking to save money, I'd pass on this bike, too. BUT, if you want a good all around bike, this is a great bike....nearly bullet-proof, and with a fair amount of parts availability.
April 4, 2009 5:20 p.m. psteav Reader

Holy resurrected thread, Batman!

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