Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

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BongInaJar
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Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#1

Post by BongInaJar »

Hey my name is Russ from Pennsylvania. I recently picked up a 1984 GL1200 Standard. This is my first Goldwing and obviously my first Standard. I bought this bike for $400 :-D lol. At first i thought it was just a stripped fairing bike and I bought it cause I always thought one of these would look amazing naked. Figured cheap enough bike to give it a shot, plus it was already stripped so I was ahead of the game in labor haha.

My bike is definitely a diamond in the rough. Under 3600 original miles and off the road since 1987 when the original owner lightly dropped it. The bike is missing a few key components like the elusive Standard dummy tank. It was also missing the actual tank, seat and battery and the front end was a birds nest.

Since owning the bike I gravity fed some gas into the pump and cranked the bike and got it to briefly run to confirm it was good before I started sourcing all the parts I'll need. I've bought a battery, a seat and since replaced the actual fuel tank, fuel filter and have removed the carbs for rebuild. I also have reassembled the throttle and figured out most of the wiring on the front end.

How hard is it to find a Standard dummy tank? Being this is the last year they made Standards is this bike more valuable than a similar conditioned Interstate or Aspencade? My initial plan was to customize it to my liking and really try to shave this thing down even further. But once learning it was a Standard I'm starting to change my mind and think I should try to restore it original as possible now.

Any thoughts or advice? Need the false fuel tank so any leads would also be greatly appreciated!
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5speed
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#2

Post by 5speed »

welcome to our little corner of the internet..
sounds like a great project.
I can't help with the false tank but I'm sure someone here will be able to.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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sgwilly
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#3

Post by sgwilly »

If you're missing that many key parts I'd go ahead with your custom plans. I think the only value added by rarity with these very, very popular bikes are the low numbered 75s first off the line and the 76 LTD (only 2k made). I've read that only 2k 84 standards were made but they just don't fetch the added price one would expect. Of course that false tank is in high demand as more and more of the originally faired 1200 bikes have been stripped to reveal the hideous integrated tank. Getting a replacement will be an expensive gambit. Sounds like your bike was chosen to be the donor for someone else's 1200. That's too bad if it was only a stator issue and some road rash. It takes a serious concerted effort to remove the gas tank. Good luck!
Last edited by sgwilly on Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
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'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
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Track T 2411
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#4

Post by Track T 2411 »

Welcome from Wisconsin. Sounds like you got a good deal. IMO, build it how you want it, and enjoy the ride!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
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rcmatt007
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#5

Post by rcmatt007 »

welcome to NGW... first thing.... Change the timing belts!
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#6

Post by Rat »

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Might be worth buying a lottery ticket .... but then you might have used up your luck already ....

Gord
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Gowing
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#7

Post by Gowing »

Welcome aboard. I am also a sucker for low mileage motorcycles.
Dave

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1981 ct110
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#8

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Sadly, it seems a lot of the value of a 1200 Standard is in the parts unique to it, and not much else. Shelters occasionally pop up, fenders and radiator trim rarely. I remember a front plastic trim piece or two a number of years ago, along with turn signal and headlight holders, but nothing since. I've never seen any of the assorted horn or front fork paraphernalia, and if you ever see a grab rail not already attached to a bike, you just hit every jackpot you could. I've been looking for one of those for 7 or 8 years now, and nothing.

But the bikes themselves seem quite a bit more common. I've been trying to sell mine for I wouldn't consider an unreasonable price, even for ANY 1200, but no real luck. Couple of lowball offers, but that's it. Now part of it might be the current market, but I'm not so sure.

If you're trying to bring it back to it's past glory, I'd say either pick up a spares bike with everything you need, or don't bother. You'll spend way too much, not be able to find everything, and end up with a bike not worth much more than an Interstate or Aspencade. It's probably a better idea to make it your own, and ride the snot out of it.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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CYBORG
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#9

Post by CYBORG »

Lucien Harpress wrote:Sadly, it seems a lot of the value of a 1200 Standard is in the parts unique to it, and not much else. Shelters occasionally pop up, fenders and radiator trim rarely. I remember a front plastic trim piece or two a number of years ago, along with turn signal and headlight holders, but nothing since. I've never seen any of the assorted horn or front fork paraphernalia, and if you ever see a grab rail not already attached to a bike, you just hit every jackpot you could. I've been looking for one of those for 7 or 8 years now, and nothing.

But the bikes themselves seem quite a bit more common. I've been trying to sell mine for I wouldn't consider an unreasonable price, even for ANY 1200, but no real luck. Couple of lowball offers, but that's it. Now part of it might be the current market, but I'm not so sure.

If you're trying to bring it back to it's past glory, I'd say either pick up a spares bike with everything you need, or don't bother. You'll spend way too much, not be able to find everything, and end up with a bike not worth much more than an Interstate or Aspencade. It's probably a better idea to make it your own, and ride the snot out of it.
I hear you. In the last few months I've stri[ped down three 1200,s (aspys and interstates}, and
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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CYBORG
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#10

Post by CYBORG »

Lucien Harpress wrote:Sadly, it seems a lot of the value of a 1200 Standard is in the parts unique to it, and not much else. Shelters occasionally pop up, fenders and radiator trim rarely. I remember a front plastic trim piece or two a number of years ago, along with turn signal and headlight holders, but nothing since. I've never seen any of the assorted horn or front fork paraphernalia, and if you ever see a grab rail not already attached to a bike, you just hit every jackpot you could. I've been looking for one of those for 7 or 8 years now, and nothing.

But the bikes themselves seem quite a bit more common. I've been trying to sell mine for I wouldn't consider an unreasonable price, even for ANY 1200, but no real luck. Couple of lowball offers, but that's it. Now part of it might be the current market, but I'm not so sure.

If you're trying to bring it back to it's past glory, I'd say either pick up a spares bike with everything you need, or don't bother. You'll spend way too much, not be able to find everything, and end up with a bike not worth much more than an Interstate or Aspencade. It's probably a better idea to make it your own, and ride the snot out of it.
I hear you. In the last few months I've stripped down three 1200,s (aspys and interstates}, and have a pile of plastic, and stuff that I have no idea why I'm keeping. Just hard to throw away good stuff.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
AZNGW Rider
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Re: Newb who stumbled upon GL1200 Standard

#11

Post by AZNGW Rider »

Welcome. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you.
1976 Goldwing GL-1000
1998 Royal Star 1300
2001 Honda Shadow Spirit 750
:crosso
Past Bikes
1975 Kawasaki KZ400
1977 Goldwing GL-1000
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