'80 1100 Imvubu Build
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- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
'80 1100 Imvubu Build
Hi Guys!
A quick intro: I am a new South African member and have been riding various bikes for the last 35 years. My preference currently is for dual sport riding. I don't bounce as well as I did when I was younger so I have shelved the offroads, and unless you have a death wish superbikes belong on a track, not our traffic infested and potholed roads.
I have always had a soft spot for older bikes and admiration for guys who rebuild them. Knowing my limitations I never considered doing a build myself, but there is just something magic about transforming an old ugly bike into something beautiful, and you can ride it too!
Anyway, this magic somehow infected my brain and a little niggling idea of building my own bike formed in a dark recess of my mind some months ago. I ignored it for a while but it fed on pictures and talk of custom builds and grew to such an extent that it would wake me at night in a cold sweat. When my hands developed an incurable itch to be holding spanners and screwdrivers instead of the TV remote I realized that I needed a cure.
I knew a little cafe racer wouldn't do. I wanted something big and torquey and unusual. Then one fateful day it hit me during a flash of inspired daydreaming, a GOLDWING! What old bike is out there with a more dire need of cosmetic surgery to reveal it's inner beauty?
A quick intro: I am a new South African member and have been riding various bikes for the last 35 years. My preference currently is for dual sport riding. I don't bounce as well as I did when I was younger so I have shelved the offroads, and unless you have a death wish superbikes belong on a track, not our traffic infested and potholed roads.
I have always had a soft spot for older bikes and admiration for guys who rebuild them. Knowing my limitations I never considered doing a build myself, but there is just something magic about transforming an old ugly bike into something beautiful, and you can ride it too!
Anyway, this magic somehow infected my brain and a little niggling idea of building my own bike formed in a dark recess of my mind some months ago. I ignored it for a while but it fed on pictures and talk of custom builds and grew to such an extent that it would wake me at night in a cold sweat. When my hands developed an incurable itch to be holding spanners and screwdrivers instead of the TV remote I realized that I needed a cure.
I knew a little cafe racer wouldn't do. I wanted something big and torquey and unusual. Then one fateful day it hit me during a flash of inspired daydreaming, a GOLDWING! What old bike is out there with a more dire need of cosmetic surgery to reveal it's inner beauty?
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- Wing.jpg (64.28 KiB) Viewed 1132 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
The name Imvubu is a Zulu word for Hippo.
A very apt name I think for a bike this big and ugly, but with a remarkable turn of speed in a straight line and it doesn't let anything get in it's way!
Imvubu is seriously overweight and broke my bike ramp when I offloaded her. Front on the trailer and her rear hanging in the air. It took two hours to free her.
A very apt name I think for a bike this big and ugly, but with a remarkable turn of speed in a straight line and it doesn't let anything get in it's way!
Imvubu is seriously overweight and broke my bike ramp when I offloaded her. Front on the trailer and her rear hanging in the air. It took two hours to free her.
- Attachments
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- Wing2.JPG (134.82 KiB) Viewed 1130 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
And she bled motor oil, fork oil and brake fluid all the way home...
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- Wing3.JPG (30.6 KiB) Viewed 1130 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- Neil
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
This will be interesting to watch.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Disclaimer. I've actually met someone who think a faired Goldwing is a cool bike. In case there is one more person out there reading this international forum who thinks the same I just need to mention the following before I am accused of destroying a classic. This bike is stuffed.
It's a non runner and has been standing for many years with aftermarket fairings that are poorly fitted.
I hope I haven't dived in too deep. Some more pics to tell the sad story.....
It's a non runner and has been standing for many years with aftermarket fairings that are poorly fitted.
I hope I haven't dived in too deep. Some more pics to tell the sad story.....
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- GWDash.JPG (60.31 KiB) Viewed 1122 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Sorry, not sure how to load more than one pic at a time. I'm a slow learner....
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
and a torn seat...
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
The faded and blistered tank shelter....
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- Wingtank.JPG (52.04 KiB) Viewed 1122 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Topbox brackets.
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
the front fairing from a bit closer.
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- WingFairing.JPG (40.65 KiB) Viewed 1119 times
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
So that's what I brought home about three months ago.
Then I started searching the internet for build ideas and info, and every cool naked Wing I found led me back to this site. There are some real beauties here, really inspiring to see what you guys have done. And not even to mention all the selflessly shared information.
So much for what I thought was an original idea
Then I started searching the internet for build ideas and info, and every cool naked Wing I found led me back to this site. There are some real beauties here, really inspiring to see what you guys have done. And not even to mention all the selflessly shared information.
So much for what I thought was an original idea
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
- Earl43P
- Silver Member
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- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:10 pm
- Location: Farmington, PA
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Well, you've found the right place!
Welcome and keep the pictures of your progress coming.
I had the pleasure of touring the Pilanesberg Preserve (quite) a few years ago.
The fool tour bus driver let me drive for a while.
I enjoyed seeing the game animals but the geology of the volcano remnants was really fascinating.
PS. Those who have never heard a wild lion roar simply cannot imagine how it reverberates through your body. Sort of like standing too close to a bass amp at a concert, with adrenaline added since we were WAY too close to the kill. Stay IN the bus!
Welcome and keep the pictures of your progress coming.
I had the pleasure of touring the Pilanesberg Preserve (quite) a few years ago.
The fool tour bus driver let me drive for a while.
I enjoyed seeing the game animals but the geology of the volcano remnants was really fascinating.
PS. Those who have never heard a wild lion roar simply cannot imagine how it reverberates through your body. Sort of like standing too close to a bass amp at a concert, with adrenaline added since we were WAY too close to the kill. Stay IN the bus!
KTM390A “Hootinanny”
04 ST1300 DDDD (Double darksided daily driver) Sold 4/2022
93 GL1500I Double darksided and SOLD 3/29/20.
99 Valkyrie IS, Fast Black Double Darksided
"Fishtailed, flipped and flung me, but wearing it well". Sold!
82 GL1100 retired DD, needs work.... Sold 3/3/17
04 ST1300 DDDD (Double darksided daily driver) Sold 4/2022
93 GL1500I Double darksided and SOLD 3/29/20.
99 Valkyrie IS, Fast Black Double Darksided
"Fishtailed, flipped and flung me, but wearing it well". Sold!
82 GL1100 retired DD, needs work.... Sold 3/3/17
- LastMohawk
- Billet Alum. Member
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- Location: Eifel, Germany
- Contact:
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
welcome here ... you'r right.wheeliedog wrote:And she bled motor oil, fork oil and brake fluid all the way home...
and believe me shes not bleeding, shes only marking her new territory
and I have never heard a wild lion roar.... but still hoping to hear one someday......
please show more pics during your bulid
Greetings
Harald
- Norbert R
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:13 pm
- Location: Johannesburg South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Welcome on board neighbour
Was great chatting to you on the phone today
Looking at your pics, I'm having flashbacks
Good luck with your build, you're on the best forum in the world, more info and help than you can use over here
Going to enjoy watching your Imvubu turn into a cheetah
Was great chatting to you on the phone today
Looking at your pics, I'm having flashbacks
Good luck with your build, you're on the best forum in the world, more info and help than you can use over here
Going to enjoy watching your Imvubu turn into a cheetah
- wheeliedog
- Silver Member
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:21 am
- Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build
Yes, to hear a lion roar up close is incredible.
I remember a staredown with a male lion once in the Kruger Park. I was driving a Mini Clubman at the time and he ambled over to see if he could eat the car or it's contents. His face was twenty centimetres from my window looking down at me and emitting a low rumble that set the whole car vibrating. He obviously won the contest
Norbert R, thanks for letting me bend your ear yesterday, really great to have an expert on call
I remember a staredown with a male lion once in the Kruger Park. I was driving a Mini Clubman at the time and he ambled over to see if he could eat the car or it's contents. His face was twenty centimetres from my window looking down at me and emitting a low rumble that set the whole car vibrating. He obviously won the contest
Norbert R, thanks for letting me bend your ear yesterday, really great to have an expert on call
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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