3 Things You MUST Know Before Buying A Vintage Goldwing!

In this video we discuss what I’ve learned over the last 5 years of owning my 1985 GL1200 GoldWing. Thanks for stopping by please smack that subscribe button :)

[@jeffsworkshop]

I just rebuilt a 81 GL1100 and did it all with the help of KZbin. Not as hard as you’d think, my skill level was low and I’ve had so much enjoyment both fixing it and riding it. Tires were done at a garage, but I did the rest. Labour of love.

[@klrshthead2906]

Nice they are a lot of fun. Thx for watching

[@SkunkMonkey991]

On the early 80s I was the kid who set up the new bikes. I also was the kid who installed all the Wing accessories from chrome to radios. Have decided to find a clean 1100 or 1200 to complement my KLR. Thanks for the video.

[@klrshthead2906]

That’s funny because I bought my KLR to complement my goldwing 🤘

[@ShowChrome]

We appreciate you.

[@klrshthead2906]

Thanks for watching my friend

[@jimh.5286]

I've had a 1984 Goldwing Interstate for about 25 years. My main advice is to drain the carburetors if the bike will sit for more than a month or two. The carbs gum up. It's a lot of work getting to, and rebuilding those 4 carbs. I should know, over the years I've done it twice!

[@klrshthead2906]

Agreed I run ethanol free fuel as well. Thanks for watching!

[@speedfreak8200]

Happens to just about any carb that gets ethanol. I run all my carbs dry when I get done running them. The carbs aren't fun with my 1400 Intruder either

[@nelsonphilip4520]

Retread rider here sharing with you that my old GL choice was/is a 1998 Gold Wing Valkyrie. In so many ways it's the "naked" version or the fulfillment of the M-1 Gold Wing prototype. And like the O.G. GL1000 series, it has virtually none of the features and standard equipment that came with it's stable mate, the GL1500; no cruise; no ABS/LBS; no self canceling or 4-way flashers; no reverse (except export to Japan model!?) Heck, the Valkyrie doesn't even come equipped with a center stand! Another important feature of the Valkyrie GL-series, that distinguishes it from the Gold Wing, is that it didn't have all that plastic bodywork! When it comes to a turn-key riding & ownership experience, the Gold Wing is in a class all by itself. Enjoyed your video and thanks for posting it.

[@klrshthead2906]

Anything with a flat Honda motor in it kicks butt! Thanks for watching and I enjoyed reading your comment :)

[@rayworx]

I turned a wrench on Honda motorcycles at various shops in California for 30 years and the ONE most important precaution I can advise would be: DO NOT TURN OFF THE FUEL PETCOCK AND RUN THE ENGINE TILL IT DIES! There is always gas left in the carbs that will plug up if left to sit. You MUST physically drain the carbs to be sure!

[@klrshthead2906]

Yessir that’s the only way to be sure. I run ethanol free gas and use a stabilizer as well.

[@Thebonesoftrees]

I got an '08 KLR and an '85 GL1200 limited Goldwing. Best bikes ever.

[@klrshthead2906]

You’ve got impeccable taste my friend! Thx for watching.

[@raccafracca940]

I have an '85 Goldwing Interstate 1200 and love it. It needs some TLC and am going to try my hand at it. It will be my winter-time project in the garage.

[@klrshthead2906]

god speed and good luck! thanks for watching

[@michaeltait3783]

I still have my 99Valkyrie and new 3 gen KLR. Love them both, sometimes difficult to choose which one to take out for the day

[@klrshthead2906]

I’m in the same boat! It all depends on how elderly I’m feeling on a given day 😂

[@72643066]

Great information

[@klrshthead2906]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@upchunk22]

Oh man, I would love a better look at the stereo setup on yours- looks super clean and something I’ve been wanting to do. Just bought mine a few weeks ago. Guy was the original owner since ‘86! It is CLEAN! I’m stoked

[@klrshthead2906]

Nice! Mine is a regular old Sony head unit. I had it install professionally and they used some kind of plastic liner to fill in the gaps.

[@JohnHall-pv1re]

I found my diamond in the ruff this last weekend. It was a customer of mine hes unfortunately getting too old to ride. He has also kept meticulous records and I've gotten to know him over the years. He sold me a 95 goldwing for only $1200. I felt really bad paying that i tried SO HARD to pay more but he just wanted to know that it was going somewhere it was going to be taken care of. I have to get front a rear tire as they r dry rotten, oil change, tune up little stuff. But this bike looks like he drove it off the lot yesterday! I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!!!

[@klrshthead2906]

That’s how it worked for me too. The guy I bought it off couldn’t ride anymore and moved on to a GW trike. Boy oh boy did he take care of his wing!

[@wlingrell]

I don't agree that it is difficult to work on at all. It takes time and a repair manual. I have done everything on my wing, timing belts arde easy to change, carbs easy to rebuild. Engine comes out easy but takes time.. Once you have them in good mechanical condition, just maintain them. I was lucky and found one a couple years ago with only 31000 kms on it. But it had been parked in heated garage for a few years. It is like new now. Love the 1200 Aspencade. I had a 1982 1100 Aspencade years ago, that was a good bike too.

[@klrshthead2906]

"Easy" is a relative term. I enjoy maintaining my bikes but pulling a GW engine is not on my to do list. Thanks for watching!

[@careydavis2553]

Excellent video! I am going to pick up a 1986 Aspencade this weekend. I plan to use it for my daily commute, which is about 40 miles each way & goes through the Occonee National Forest. I may do a video on it if anyone is interested...

[@klrshthead2906]

Who cares if anyone is interested. Make the video for sure! Thanks for watching.

[@ujmrider]

I bought a 1980 naked wing with 25k miles on Good Friday 2023. It had been parked up in a garagefor a very long time. No problem, im a mechanic and have restored several vintage motorcycles in the last 25 years, including a 78 Wing. The previous owner of the 80 had traded it in, as-is for something brand new at a Kawasaki dealership. Thats where i bought it from. They had installed a new battery and new tires and brakes, but didn't get it running. It looked all clean and complete so i bought it for a reasonable price because they wanted it gone. They told me the carbs were likely gummed up. NOPE! Carbs had been drained and were pretty clean. However they were way out of sync, and the valves were out of adjustment limits. Also had one bad coil and very chopped up wiring harness ( why, just why do people eff up the wiring !?) I've sorted out all the wiring, installed new timing belts and tensioner pulleys, changed fluids and filters, adjusted everything,etc. The engine is actually quite healthy and sounds really good. The forks are not holding air now and its not safe to ride once all the air leaks out in 20 minutes. I'm eliminating the air assist and installing progressive springs asap. It turns out there was a lot more wrong with the bike than appearance indicated. So after saying all this, i recommend NOT buying an old Wing unless it's currently in good running condition, or do you actually want a bunch of time consuming work?

[@klrshthead2906]

I agree completely. These things can be awesome if well maintained for there whole life. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelmosley1385]

I have an 84 GL1200 interstate with less than 80,000 my stator went out so i did a no weld poor boy conversion the person i bought it from took good care of the bike. I do all my repairs myself and I'm 63yrs old. Next job is slave cylinder rebuild everything done to that bike has been documented from the day it left the dealership. Ride safe have fun

[@klrshthead2906]

That’s how the guy I bought mine from was. Everything documented. Everything service and repair recorded. That’s what is missing in todays motorcycle culture. Half of the enjoyment of having these machines is taking ownership of maintaining them.

[@bwma]

I have an 86. It is reliable as heck. Have to ride or start it every other week to keeps the idle jets clear and clean. Everything is well designed. Made in America. Have done all the service on everything myself. Almost consider it a hobby so time doesn't matter. Cruises at 70 all day long. It will dust 95% of modern motorcycles.

[@klrshthead2906]

Rock and roll my dude. Thanks for watching!

[@TimBarnett-pl9kd]

Let's compare my GW bike deal? Cost of ownership. My 88' GW was $18,000 new. I bought it for $1800. On way trailering bike home, 1800 pulls up to my truck window. Yells, nice bike! Yeah I'm just now bringing it home. They fall back, check out bike, then pull back up to my window. Can I ask what you paid? $1800! Laughter! You just bought trailer hitch with free GW attached! Laughter again, as he pulls off! Bike had newer suspension, list of accessories including airbrush desert scene on the surfaces.

[@klrshthead2906]

I love the GL1500. You can find great deals on them! Thanks for watching!

[@TimBarnett-pl9kd]

@@klrshthead2906 this bike had airbrush desert scene on the bags. It had new tires, new suspension, trailer hitch etc... Bike has 90,000 but can still do the side coin balance on running engine! While taking trailer back we're looking at paint when new neighbor calls out from painting ladder, nice bike! He sees desert paint goes into his house. Comes out with 3 pictures of desert that match bike. Here I want you to have this, it matches so well! Much later same guy knocks on my friend door saying, he's lost his job, losing house, wife, kids, everything! Do you know of any job? My friend is parks an roads for major NW city, so he gives this guy a job. He's so good neighbor gives him a full time with benefits of city employment. Neighbor asked my friend, how did you know about me? All I needed to know when you gave that desert painting to my friend matching his new GW! I'm driving home towing trailer an GW, when a 1800 GW pulls up to my window. Nice bike! Yeah I'm just now bring it home. they drop back to look at bike then pull back to my window. Can I ask what you paid? Sure, $1800! Are you kidding! You just bought a trailer hitch an got a free GW attached! Laughing as he twisted the throttle!

[@klrshthead2906]

Heck yeah!

[@johnsnykers5884]

That wise man who you mentioned...could it be Jeremy Clarkson?

[@klrshthead2906]

Who doesn’t love TopGear

[@brucehelppie6119]

The worst issue I’ve read about is replacing the stator. There is a ton of wiring as well. The 4 cylinders look cool, but I think I’d pass…

[@klrshthead2906]

That’s one of this bikes downfalls for sure. The way I look at it… the bike was less than $2000 and it’s lasted over about 5 years so if the stator goes I’ll donate it or something. Thanks for watching :)

[@davidevelyn530]

That's why from '88 on the Wings & later (97) Valk had external alternators.

[@chuckm2893]

Tell us about that stereo set up...I have an 84' and looking to replace the stereo and remove the CB/intercom system.

[@klrshthead2906]

I had it install by a local guy. It’s a standard song 2 din head unit and some JBL speakers works well and was like $300 parts and labor. I wanted it done right so I paid a professional lol

[@J0EWE3D]

Yeah I got an 86 1200 and I want to pull the intercom and cb. I don't need all the extra electronics

[@klrshthead2906]

@@J0EWE3D Nice let me know how it goes mine turned out great.

[@scottsingleton2951]

Honda built so many because people were buying them

[@klrshthead2906]

For sure. Although I’d say that the 80’s goldwing is more popular today than it was when it was new! Lol thanks for watching!

[@salvatorecorrao7497]

i find these 80s goldwings far easier than harleys having had a few myself and just this year getting into my first gl1200

[@klrshthead2906]

I think they are much better made machines especially in the 80’s. Thanks for watching!

[@speedfreak8200]

How can it get out of time? If it uses a timing belt it should be replaced at regular intervals. If it has timing gears ⚙️ or chain ⛓️ it should last the life of the bike.

[@klrshthead2906]

Yessir it “should” be replaced at regular intervals but you know as well as I do that should is a subjective term. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffbrinkerhoff5121]

Nice vid..

[@klrshthead2906]

Thanks for watching !

[@michaelosborne4944]

buy a naked like my 1100 standard, maintainence is easy, no fairings or saddlebags to be removed

[@klrshthead2906]

First one I bought was a 1980 GL1100 naked bike. But I wanted all the fairings and storage !

[@alternatemusicaddict5226]

what windshield is that??

[@klrshthead2906]

Thanks for watching. From what I know it’s the factory windscreen.

[@jrx2662]

timing belt shouldn't even make your list, because if that was a issue, than yo could put cars into that mix! just got to know what that manufacture says about changing your timing belt every so many miles! plus I check the prices on tires! no where the price you quoted on $600.00 bills! $200.00 in change tops?

[@klrshthead2906]

Thanks for watching! I would put cars in that mix if left unattended timing belts and or chains can be a point of catastrophic failure. A decent set of tires will run you about $400 and if you can even find a shop willing to work on a vintage Wing you will pay at least $150 to install.

[@oz314]

Currently a learner waiting till I'm 24 so I can get a full licence to get one of these things

[@klrshthead2906]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and ride safe :)

[@Ch1oeW]

Is that a tank bag? Did you not have enough storage space? 😂 🙌

[@klrshthead2906]

Hey need a place for my car keys! Thanks for watching lol

[@Ch1oeW]

@@klrshthead2906love the video. We just got one of these bad boys and the weight is a bit intimidating but I’m stoked

[@klrshthead2906]

@@Ch1oeW How are you enjoying it so far?

[@Ch1oeW]

@@klrshthead2906 have not got it running yet! Thanks for checking in! Will update after taking it for a spin :)

[@cryptocutty4810]

You never said what year bike it is

[@klrshthead2906]

1985. Thanks for watching!

[@jrx2662]

haven't you heard of the university youtube! they teach you everything! LOL!

[@klrshthead2906]

When it comes to wheels and tires I leave that to the professionals. Thanks for watching!

[@spreadgangjordan4772]

Found one for 300$ guy had it just sitting outside .. all it needs is a battery

[@klrshthead2906]

Nice! Get that bad boy back on the road 🤘

[@noonster55]

I actually think the Goldwings 1100-1200's are very easy to maintain. Valve adjustments, sinking carbs etc. Super easy...

[@klrshthead2906]

You’re a better man than I! Thanks for watching :)

[@hayabusa3810]

Bro, you didn’t even mention the stator issue with these bikes the biggest problem

[@klrshthead2906]

Haven’t had any issues with the stator. Will cross that bridge when I get there :)

[@DP-nw3lz]

@@klrshthead2906 Just found one. Sitting in a garage for 12 years! 15 k miles. Great paint. Cant wait to start tackling it. Any recommendations on what to do first? Tank is rusty so I will be trying the vinegar method first.

[@DP-nw3lz]

1987 interstate

[@klrshthead2906]

@@DP-nw3lz sorry I missed your comment :( How is the project coming along?

[@DP-nw3lz]

@@klrshthead2906 it’s ok. I haven’t been able to start it yet. I poured some vinegar in the gas tank and tried to drain it out but the fuel tank drain is clogged I guess. Haven’t touched it since the new year lol. But every day I think I need to start it

[@daniellewis37]

Maybe it's difficult for you ..

[@klrshthead2906]

What’s that?