Yesterday I sold my 77 GL1000 to a fellow from Massachusetts who always wanted a Goldwing and had been searching for one for some time. While here one of the guys who came with him to help load, noticed that I had a 79 GL1000 project sitting out in my shelter that I got for free as a parts bike when I purchased the 77. After some discussion and looking at my 78 restored GL1000 he contracted with me to purchase the 79 and have me rebuild it for him.

This bike last ran 2 years ago, was left out in the weather and the PO went crazy with rattle can flat black on everything .. and I mean everything. He also installed a Suzuki brake light with Honda directionals, butchered the seat and .. well you get the idea. It's gonna take some work to make this old gal run and shine again. Under all that crappy flat black paint is some really nice unpitted chrome.

I have just about everything I need to bring her back to life except a set of shocks (in pieces), a starter (seems the armature is frozen), the mount that holds the tongue of the seat in place and a radiator (leaking). I'll know better what else I need as I go along, the PO really went to town removing stuff and of course he lost most of the nuts and bolts needed to reinstall everything too .. He should never hold a wrench in his hands again.

Gonna pull the carbs and the engine today and get started.. Here's a few "before" shots..

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1976 GL1000 (project)
1977 GL1000 (sold)
1978 GL1000 (current ride)
1979 GL1000 (sold)
1982 GL1100 (painting)

Well one thing about working on a bike in that kind of shape is the foreknowledge that no matter what you do you can't hurt anything.

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Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread

... and so starts another for-profit garage. Good luck man!

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Steve -- IBA #8078 -- Winnie, the '81 Nekkid Bagger build

I'm not running a "for-profit garage" by any means. I sold my 77 to pay medical bills and at a cheap price. I had no intentions of selling this parts bike either; but this non mechanically inclined person wanted it and is willing to buy the parts and pay me for my labor and time. I didn't charge him anything for the bike as I got it free myself.

I'm sorry if my starting this thread has upset some, perhaps it would be best for all if it were removed.

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1976 GL1000 (project)
1977 GL1000 (sold)
1978 GL1000 (current ride)
1979 GL1000 (sold)
1982 GL1100 (painting)

I don't detect anyone being upset. Just commenting on your project Please keep us informed of your progress.

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Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread

Actually - I think that wrenching on a project belonging to someone else might be closer to heaven than any place else. Wow. Enjoy!
I assume that he will cover the cost of parts and you get the joy of making it run. Are you looking to restore to 19797? If you need a seat, let me know, I have one that is going to need to go somewhere. I also will have a rear fender and light setup. Let me know.

Steve
Check my thread viewtopic.php?f=30&t=40723

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Keep it running

1978 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - project

It's all good man! No one is on your case, just joking around. Keep up the work and the thread!

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Hope for the best, expect the worst and take what comes!

1977 Candy Sirus Blue Wing (gone but not forgotten!): Ernie's 77 Resto
1998 Yellow/Creme Valkyrie: Valk Redo
1976 Sulfur Yellow Wing (sold): Melloyellow to live again
1976 LTD #1353 (my new love!): And away we go . . . . LTD style
1970 CT90: Had too much time on my hands so . . .
1/4 of 1975 Wing #898: Team 898 - raised from the ashes

I think the project you are undertaking is more than worthy of its own personal thread. Please keep it going. I am sure the comments where just made in jest.

Cheers mate, and Good Luck!

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When I was younger, I admired clever people.  Now that I am older, I admire kind people.  ~Abraham Joshua Heschel

76 GL1000 LTD

Recent Retires, both sold to good bike loving homes.
54 Ariel SQ4
61 Triumph T120 Bonneville

It was most definitely not a jibe. I meant it as an encouragement.

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Steve -- IBA #8078 -- Winnie, the '81 Nekkid Bagger build

Was, gonna bring it back to as original as possible including the paint; but new owner is now anxious to ride so we're gonna skip pulling the motor and carbs for now and just change belts, tune-up and cross fingers I can get the carbs to function properly and synch until winter.
As you can see from the pictures, the handlebars and seat ( one I had lieing around ) are far from stock; but will do for now.
I'll order new belts in the morning and in the meantime I started putting it back together and cleaning some of that awful flat black paint off the chrome. I sanded and primed the false tank covers and will do the others in the morning, before I tackle changing the belts. Radiator has a pin hole in it so I'm dropping it off to be fixed at the radiator shop. With any luck and if the temps warm up so I can paint, I should have it ready to go by weeks end.

What are you asking for the seat, I have one for it; but it isn't original.

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1976 GL1000 (project)
1977 GL1000 (sold)
1978 GL1000 (current ride)
1979 GL1000 (sold)
1982 GL1100 (painting)

Apologize for being so touchy .. blame it on all these meds that keep me going.

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1976 GL1000 (project)
1977 GL1000 (sold)
1978 GL1000 (current ride)
1979 GL1000 (sold)
1982 GL1100 (painting)

Lets face it MT, we all have to do our best trying to deal with Roady.

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Hope for the best, expect the worst and take what comes!

1977 Candy Sirus Blue Wing (gone but not forgotten!): Ernie's 77 Resto
1998 Yellow/Creme Valkyrie: Valk Redo
1976 Sulfur Yellow Wing (sold): Melloyellow to live again
1976 LTD #1353 (my new love!): And away we go . . . . LTD style
1970 CT90: Had too much time on my hands so . . .
1/4 of 1975 Wing #898: Team 898 - raised from the ashes

MT. - The seat has a tear on the top, so I'm not sure what it is worth. It is original. I'll pull it off and see how the pan is. The bike was stored under cover, so I don't expect too much chance of rust, but you never know.
Anybody have an idea what they are worth? Fleabay runs from 50-400. I have no idea.

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Keep it running

1978 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - project

There IS a lot of real pretty chrome under that black layer of paint!!

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keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday.

Cliff

'75 GL1000, triking in process: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996

previous rides:

1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 still committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.

How is that left front cam belt idler pulley? There seems to be a lot of rust on the belt on that side. Had to come from somewhere....
That rear fender looks great!

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Keep it running

1978 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - project