Vintage Bike Spotlight: 1981 Honda GL1100 Review

[@aaronguthrie4907]

Have an 81' as my daily rider. I love that bike

[@donniechalk3018]

Well done! I like the way you presented that motorcycle!

[@dancingwiththedogsdj]

Sweet video so far! I really enjoy your presentation and the way you talk about various aspects of the bike. Great job! Have a wonderful day!

[@VehicleHunter]

Much appreciated!

[@ninjamania]

I had an ‘82. You can make that thing do things you’d never expect. They handle very well under pressure. You’ll have no problem whipping that thing where you want to.

[@billgorson7967]

Thanks for the video. I own two of these, if you know how to work on bikes a bit they can be an incredible value - but not for anyone who doesn't want to deal with a few old bike issues here and there.

[@JeepRiderx31]

Just started getting my dads back to life that he gave to me. 81 interstate with only 20k miles on it. Stored properly, just hasn't started in over 20 years

[@VehicleHunter]

how much :)

[@pa4tim]

I had a GL1100 interstate with an EML sidecar 25 years ago. The same colour as yours. That thing used more oil as fuel but after fixing that it was a nice bike. My wife had a blue naked GL1100.

[@VehicleHunter]

what was the issue with using oil?

[@pa4tim]

@@VehicleHunter Among things, worn piston rings, can not remember the rest.

[@drumkid330]

Took the fairing off of mine in pursuit of the naked look shown on this bike Holy hell man, that fairing is HEAVYY!!

[@richardahola692]

Heavy is right. I took the fairing of my 1980 GL1100. It rode much better

[@vintagebikes4215]

Nice pace, nice video. Helpful!

[@richardahola692]

Had a 1980 1100 and rode it for 12 years had 100,000 miles on it when I sold it. Have a 1200 now and like it much better. Lots of service is easier. Carbs are easy to remove. The fairing is great in the winter but an oven in the summer. Coming off. The 1200 runs smoother than the 1100 and warms up quicker. I heard that Honda originally called the naked Wing a sport bike. Fully loaded Wing rides more like a dump truck and carries almost as much. I have gotten up to 200 miles on a tank of fuel (ran it empty once) I'm planning on removing the fairing this year. Tired of the heat. Saddlebags and top box have to stay. I use them all the time.

[@VehicleHunter]

i'd love to get a 1200 one day.

[@richardahola692]

@VehicleHunter Keep your eyes open. They sell pretty cheap.

[@vintagebikes4215]

I had an '84 Honda Interstate, same color as yours, dressed, and you are alot more enthusiastic about this motorcycle than I ever was. It was my least favorite bike of all I've owned...a conglomeration of plasticxxx. Bulky. Pig. Sorry! But you've made meaningful improvements, and I mean BIG....the sport touring bars and most plastic off....looks better. Looks like you've altered the top cover which folks think is a gas tank. and I like that too. So this machine I like. Stock not so much. It was not a great handling bike, but certainly smooth for its time period. P.S. I am no fan of the air/spring front shocks, very difficult to get them to hold air after 43 years, and chasing that problem is not easy. Prefer ditching them and going with progressive front spring setup. OEM parts? Forget it. Yes, you can get used parts from scrappers like Manuel Motorcycle Salvage in Akron, Ohio. I've known Mark Manuel for 35 years, great British expert. But overall, you sold me with this machine.

[@forserious3496]

79, 82, than 81. Now i have a 83, and 85. Love my wings.

[@frankdillon6127]

owned a 1982 Goldwing aspincade, classic styling what's not to love, looks great even today. plenty of torque and power, just use a Corbin after market seat and you can go anywhere.

[@gregdumonthier8311]

What's the make and model of the after market headlight you installed?

[@michaelosborne4944]

good video, i own a 83 standard, which is the last & regarded as the best year for the 1100 differences for the 83 include trac anti dive, fork brace , twin pot calipers & linked brakes, as you say good ones are harder to find but spares are plentiful, i just did a full service, sourcing new parts including new timing belts, coolant, oil & filter , spark plugs , shaft oil, for less than $150, amazing value when you consider this is probably equivalent too 2 hours labor at most dealers, the 1100 was original classed as as a sports bike by Honda or at least in the naked form, i can average 42 mpg in USA gallons, at around 60 mph, but get above 70 mph those four carbs will drink

[@jonesy250f]

I'm going to look at one tomorrow. Any tips on things to look out for? I know bikes, just something particular? cheers

[@michaelosborne4944]

@@jonesy250f there are a lot of the around, maybe not so much the 83, i would go for the best you can afford, if it's been stood a while it will need a lot of work, find out when the timing belts were last changed, spares on the likes of e-bay are plentiful, carbs will need rebuilding if it's not run for a while, enjoy.

[@jamesfenter916]

Had a 82 interstate got as a flip bike was great on the open road a beast in town .. but I knew it had a good following .. making it a good project flip bike.

[@richardahola692]

Old Wings rule. I rode my buddy's Tiger and loved it but way too expensive for me and too much electronics. Think I'll just keep my Wing. You mentioned heated grips. I put cheap grip heaters that lace onto the grips. What a difference when it gets cold. I can ride in any weather with warm hands. I am going to get full heated grips with a temp control. Mine are on or off. In mild weather I have to keep turning them on and off.

[@jcqpfdesign5793]

I have an 1982 GL1100 naked bike. Love your project. Could you please provide me with a link of your handlebar? Would love to change mine. Thnx in advance!

[@thesinglestringtheory]

Your original seat would not have had actual stitches. I believe yours has been recovered

[@VehicleHunter]

Good observation. Thank you

[@TrackMania753]

On my 82 interstate the trunk is the removable luggage. Honda made the trunk removable without tools.

[@schm2918]

I think Randakks would have those valve cover seals

[@JohnJ-q5j]

I had a 1978 Goldwing, I bought new in 1978

[@rickmcmillan5061]

Back in the early 80’s the 80 mph speedometer was mandated. Most vehicles/ motorcycles would peg the speedometer.

[@rowclan-ef3dg]

I just got one a few days ago

[@JoJo-me8ih]

I have a 1200 standard greetings from Europe 👋

[@vintagebikes4215]

Only you would do this project!

[@Johnclark300]

The gold wing is the highest quality motorcycle on planet earth, the gold wing engine will last well over 400,000 miles.

[@aguiristante]

fyi after 76 the gl1000 had comstar wheells

[@vintagebikes4215]

I would take an ST1100 or 1300 over this bike any day. Hearing the engine running reminded me of much I did not like about this behemoth.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Another competitor would have been the Honda CBX Tourer.

[@cerealtiller]

The '83 1100 had higher Gearing and was better for sustained Highway Speeds.

[@TjShirey-g7g]

I have a GL 1100 here that I am trying to get rid of needs starter that is it

[@supafrancis]

Think I was just looking at it on Marketplace. 94k miles right? Also just watched a video on starter replacement which is easy. Money is pretty tight at the moment though. If I can sell the 83' Suzuki GS550L that I fixed up this spring to have something to ride, I'd like to take a look at yours. The 550 is nimble and surprisingly quick for its small displacement but I'd really like something with a little more muscle down low in the rpm's

[@aguiristante]

bike is not limited to 85mph.

[@fadingbeleifs]

and it's an OLD bike.... NOT VINTAGE... especially since you BUTCHERED IT by ripping parts off of it!!! Vintage means "like new, undisturbed"...and the brakes are excellent on these... again, you don't know shit from shinola!

[@fadingbeleifs]

Man, it's evident you don't really know anything about these bikes beyond what you dug up on wikipedia and a few forums.... no, the carbs are not that complicated, yes, the 80 and 81 had a 19 inch wheel, but in 82 they went to an 18 on the front, 16 on the rear, the particular bike you have has aftermarket crash bars, and it was a horrible idea for you to rip the fairing off.... you should have just gotten a naked bike to begin with... and there shouldn't BE any mechanical noise, they don't rattle and knock...unless there is something horribly wrong (is your timing off? is there a bent valve? are the timing belts good? is the water pump coming apart?) it is a more visceral experience compared to the 6 cylinder bikes, yes... but the engine isn't supposed to rattle and knock... and those wheels? Those are called Comstar wheels.... they are known for leaking because the rivets that hold the rim to the spokes are known to loosen up and allow air to leak out... I have had to deal with them myself... they are a PAIN in the ass!!

[@vintagebikes4215]

I think you are a bit hard on the young man...one joy of motorcycling is setting up the bike as you please.

[@clintwoodruff1187]

Disagree with what Honda started out to create with the "GL" series. Think about what the 'market' was doing at the time of this bikes release. Think about their main competitor at the time, the " 903 cc" Kawasaki. NOT a big tourer ! But a big HOT Street Cruiser ! Think about the 750 Honda had lost the big "fast" bike edge to Kawasaki 2 years prior to the GL release. And though the GL was heavier than the Kawasaki, the GL also enjoyed 100 cc more displacement, bringing the heavier bike right into the same 'performance level' as the Kawasaki 900. Some say that the success of the GL bikes as touring machines, was a total streak of 'good luck' enjoyed by Honda, because the public 'made that happen '. And Honda was smart enough to see the opportunity afforded them by the publics interest, in the touring minded customers, and 'hastily JUMPED on the band wagon' ! Good luck, good quick response by Honda, ( the Japanese always did respond to the customers better than HD & the rest ! A lesson Harley still hasn't figured out !) And good design work by Honda creating a bullet proof product ! I commend Honda for producing their terrific bike 49 years ago ! And if I'm very lucky, maybe someday I'll be able to score an 'early GL' of my own. But I won't be loading it down with 200 pounds of garbage to go touring with it. I'll be looking to "Cafe" it out to go... Yup!... To the local Cafe, or to the beach, or to just cruise around the general area with it. Because, to my mind, that's what it is best suited for. And that is what I've always wanted to do with my bikes. BTW, I' ve never in my 50 years of riding desired any Japanese bike, nor have I owned any. But these early GL's... well, they're just something "special".