A buddy at work who owns a 1976 Goldwing tells me that there is a 1979 Honda Goldwing on listed on Kijiji and is selling it for $500. Well after looking at the ad and it says "runs sometimes but needs exhaust and seat work" decided to look at it figuring it could be a good parts bike. So I call the guy and make an appointment to go look at it after work. I show up and he says that it is in the shed and he comes out of the house and starts to walk through the back yard in a foot of snow. He is barely able to make it and says that he has bone cancer and needs to raise money to move to his daughters place. This is a 28 year old guy (and it turns out a really nice guy) and at that point I decided that whatever is in the shed, I am going to buy it regardless of what shape it is in. We open up the door and there is a fairly nice bike with 35,000 Kms and not a lot of corrosion on it. He says it runs and he says I can come back and bring a better battery with me to see that it will start however I tell him that it will not be necessary as I am taking it as it is.
It took 4 big guys to drag it through the snow and on to the trailer and get it in the garage. I place a better battery in it and it literally fires on the first touch of the starter and revs right up and no smoke. Everything works like it should and the oil is clean (the filter was also very clean). So over the next few days the previous owner and I am clearing up the paperwork and spending some time together and I see the hardships he has endured. I realise again how lucky I am. The guy is a very talented artist and makes his living tattooing and he purchased the bike to make something for himself. We talked about what his vision for the bike was and he was very bummed out about having no chance to turn it into something.
He vision was a very striped down bike that leaned to an industrial look and somewhat utilitarian. I thought about what I was going to do to it, however given the previous owner's idea's, I decided that I would take his dream and try to get it made before he moves on. This build will be a fairly quick one, as I would like for him to see the finished project but unfortunately given his health, he will be unable to ride it. To this end, I have the bike completely torn down and almost all the parts on order. The bike is not going to have any false tank (the wiring is going to be reduced and tucked under the steering head) and the side covers will not be used. The tires are like new however I am looking into a more rugged tire design. The seat was unusable however the seat pan is going to be sand blasted and the small triangles that hold the seat material will be welded in and the pan will itself used. The bike is going to be lowered by almost two inches with progressive front and rear springs. The brake units are in great shape and I have ordered new braided brake lines. The frame is in the process of having all unnecessary fittings removed along with the center stand fitting. The joint line between the front and rear top frame pieces are also going to be welded in to clean up the appearance. I have a new stainless exhaust system for it (Delvic) which is pretty light.
This bike had a lot of extra junk on it that was put on by the dealer and I think that I am going to be at least two hundred pounds less, the stuff was very heavy. It had a total air ride system on it which had lots of balance lines and other assorted equipment, all of which went into the dumpster.
My friends are expecting a pretty bike with a fancy paint job and this project will be far from that. I am looking at something a little different but something that I can ride to work on. Minimalist and industrial and utilitarian all rolled into one...
Here we go again, now a 1979
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Here we go again, now a 1979
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
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- Cast Iron Member
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
- Location: Goulais River, on
Re: Here we go again, now a 1979
I guess that I should put a couple of pics on here for the start..
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
- codyjames707
- Billet Alum. Member
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Re: Here we go again, now a 1979
Very cool story, can't wait to see the build go down!
- robin1731
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Re: Here we go again, now a 1979
That's quite a seat.
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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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Re: Here we go again, now a 1979
Sounds like a good deal all around
Gord
Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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