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Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:02 pm
by vb_GL1000
Picked up my first Goldwing, love Hondas. I have built cb350 cafe racers and I wanted something a little bigger, more motor. I love the look of the motor on these bikes, has a very unique look.

So I landed on the Gl1000 and I found a sweet deal so I had to jump on it. My plan is create a Cafe/Hot Rod style bike. The bike is a little big, plan is to slim it down visually. Strip it down, fix what I need to, modify what needs to be, paint, powder coat, pin stripe. I am thinking a darker grey and black with metal flake with a lime green pin striping, but we will see how it goes. It will be a slower build working and with two kids under 4, be patient with me.

Progress so far; stripping it down, the fairing had to go, meet Whiskerfish while selling some parts, real nice guy and gave some great pointers. Site is great with more than enough info.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:57 am
by Roady
Looks like a great one to start with and a welcome addition to the family.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:25 am
by wog
Bike looks like it's in great shape. congrats action1
Nice to see the excitement in your sons' expressions. It will be good for them and you to work together on it.
My son has "outgrown" working with his old man on bike projects, but I make him work with me on his car when it needs something.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:34 am
by oldwings 78
Very nice bike and two sharp haircuts on the boys as well! If you talked to W.F. you probably have been made aware of the importance of replacing the timing belts. They're relatively cheap and there is plenty of info here to show you how to do it.
Terry

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:28 pm
by Easter
Looks like the boys are happy about the project. Keep us in the loop.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:44 pm
by vb_GL1000
Had some progress, pulled off some parts and sold some. I sold the fairings, bags and crash bars for a total of $150. Not bad if I say so my self. I have had older bikes, but this one keeps amazing me how clean it is. I seriously have not cleaned that bike and there is only some dust on the underside of some of these parts, I love it when people take care of their stuff! The only PO issues I have run into are some bad splicing, but even that isn't all that bad.
PS, I am placing the seat, grab bar, complete rear fender and Jardine pipes up for sale on CL soon, if any are interested...

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 11:40 am
by wog
You'll probably get more for the grab bar on Ebay.
The 78's and 79's go for up to $100 and they're easy to ship.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:01 pm
by brokentoe
:) That's a nice picture with you and your boys. I'm looking forward to seeing your build come together.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:13 pm
by vb_GL1000
wog wrote:You'll probably get more for the grab bar on Ebay.
The 78's and 79's go for up to $100 and they're easy to ship.
That's crazy, I never would have thought they went for that much. Thanks for looking out.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:20 pm
by vb_GL1000
Anyone have any direction to point me in for a relatively strait swap on the upper triple with out the forged in handle bar risers? (Same tube and bearing size) I would prefer clip-ons but I just cant get past having the empty risers.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:40 pm
by gregforesi
The Honda 4 banger boxer is a great place to start. I was shooting for small and quick so I'll be watching how you do.
At first glance they look big but they can be quick, fast, handle decent, and stop well. Pretty darn bullet proof too. Good luck with it.

A word to the wise - Don't expect your helpers to be able to torque the flywheel bolt.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:46 pm
by gregforesi
Clubman or clip-ons you will have a problem clearing the shelter. I had to add about 3/16" to the fork stops. Doesn't matter when riding but walking the bike doing a 180 it has the turning radius of a truck. You can hacksaw the risers if you go with clipons.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:54 pm
by Easter
For an alternate front end go to my thread "it just looks like trash", I used '93 CB1000 front end. Bearings are the same but the steering head shaft needs to be modified. My machinist just chucked the entire lower triple clamp in the lathe and cut off the stem to match and turned the top down to fit. Charged $45. Advantages include stiffer, better forks, pre-drilled rotors, better brakes. If you do this be sure to use the thick spacer on the bottom of the steering shaft. Since the forks are longer I was able to position them above the triple clamp and put clip-on bars.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:37 pm
by vb_GL1000
I did a little research last night and I am leaning towards a GSXR front end. That was my original plan to begin with but the excellent condition of the GL made me second guess that route. For the work and money involved in getting rid of the cast risers I am almost there at the price of GSXR front end. That would solve a few problems, the bike is long, front tire/wheel is huge, poor front master cylinder, headlight placement, gauges and new front tire all the same time. I know the purest will have issues, but its the complete look I am going for not a resto-mod.

Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:10 pm
by Neil
Whatever you do to it, it's yours to do as you wish. I look at these bikes as a canvas waiting to be. Will be watching your progress.