Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

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vb_GL1000
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Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#1

Post 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.
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First brought it home
First brought it home
20130511_180226(1).jpg (75.48 KiB) Viewed 2526 times
Me and the boys
Me and the boys
949486_10151464291028335_1031304015_o.jpg (75.2 KiB) Viewed 2526 times
1979 GL1000 Cafeish
2007 KTM SMC 625
2007 KTM 250sx
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Bobber
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 fun
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Roady
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#2

Post by Roady »

Looks like a great one to start with and a welcome addition to the family.
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wog
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#3

Post 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.
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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oldwings 78
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#4

Post 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
"A man who is good at making excuses is rarely good at anything else" Benjamin Franklin
"A man who will sacrifice freedom for security deserves neither" Benjamin Franklin
'78s are the best looking GLs Just ask Doc
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#5

Post by Easter »

Looks like the boys are happy about the project. Keep us in the loop.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#6

Post 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...
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20130612_163345.jpg
20130612_163345.jpg (70.42 KiB) Viewed 2462 times
20130612_163359.jpg
20130612_163359.jpg (73.33 KiB) Viewed 2462 times
20130612_163410.jpg
20130612_163410.jpg (67.79 KiB) Viewed 2462 times
1979 GL1000 Cafeish
2007 KTM SMC 625
2007 KTM 250sx
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Bobber
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 fun
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wog
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#7

Post 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.
Great to keep these old 'Wings flying on down the road.
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#8

Post by brokentoe »

:) That's a nice picture with you and your boys. I'm looking forward to seeing your build come together.
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#9

Post 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.
1979 GL1000 Cafeish
2007 KTM SMC 625
2007 KTM 250sx
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Bobber
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 fun
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#10

Post 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.
1979 GL1000 Cafeish
2007 KTM SMC 625
2007 KTM 250sx
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Bobber
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 fun
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#11

Post 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.
2006 GL1800 (Brutus Maximus)
1978 GL1000 (White Trash - 2012 BOTY
(If you want to discuss the Trashmobile, Webers, Rearsets, Clubmans, or other stuff then send me a PM.)
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#12

Post 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.
2006 GL1800 (Brutus Maximus)
1978 GL1000 (White Trash - 2012 BOTY
(If you want to discuss the Trashmobile, Webers, Rearsets, Clubmans, or other stuff then send me a PM.)
"Getting old ain't for sissies" - Phyllis Diller
"So how much you gonna spend to win that $5 trophy?" - Cyborg
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#13

Post 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.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#14

Post 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.
1979 GL1000 Cafeish
2007 KTM SMC 625
2007 KTM 250sx
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Bobber
2005 Kawasaki Z1000 fun
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Re: Cafe/Hot Rod Build 79Gl1000

#15

Post 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.
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