'80 1100 Imvubu Build

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wheeliedog
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'80 1100 Imvubu Build

#1

Post by wheeliedog »

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?
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#2

Post by wheeliedog »

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.
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#3

Post by wheeliedog »

And she bled motor oil, fork oil and brake fluid all the way home...
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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Neil
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#4

Post by Neil »

This will be interesting to watch.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#5

Post by wheeliedog »

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. :P

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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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#6

Post by wheeliedog »

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.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#7

Post by wheeliedog »

and a torn seat...
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#8

Post by wheeliedog »

The faded and blistered tank shelter....
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#9

Post by wheeliedog »

Topbox brackets.
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#10

Post by wheeliedog »

the front fairing from a bit closer.
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naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#11

Post by wheeliedog »

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 :lol: :lol: :lol:
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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Earl43P
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#12

Post by Earl43P »

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!
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
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#13

Post by LastMohawk »

wheeliedog wrote:And she bled motor oil, fork oil and brake fluid all the way home...
welcome here ... you'r right.

and believe me shes not bleeding, shes only marking her new territory dancr

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
"Sometimes it takes more than luck to keep the wheels spinning just right."

77 GL1000 "Uschi"
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Norbert R
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#14

Post by Norbert R »

Welcome on board neighbour anim-cheers1
Was great chatting to you on the phone today

Looking at your pics, I'm having flashbacks :-D :-D
Good luck with your build, you're on the best forum in the world, more info and help than you can use over here :orange

Going to enjoy watching your Imvubu turn into a cheetah action1 action1
Nulla futuit datum...
1977 GL1000 - BOTM April 2015
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wheeliedog
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Re: '80 1100 Imvubu Build

#15

Post by wheeliedog »

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 car1

Norbert R, thanks for letting me bend your ear yesterday, really great to have an expert on call :-D
naked 1980 GL1100 under construction.
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