What the hell was I thinking?
I bought a 1982 GL1100 this past summer when my V30 shredded its crankshaft bearings. Didn't feel like futzing with the V30 when I knew it was ultimately gonna be too small for me.
I spent the summer riding around on a 750 pound oil barge.
My goal was to strip the fairing off the Wing, to make it a standard, a la www.nakedgoldwings.com
But I've never been really happy with the acceleration on the Wing. It handled superbly, suprizingly well. I had fun scraping pegs, which was admittedly pretty easy to do without even trying.
I would like to know if a nekkid GL1100 really does compare to a V65? Sure the Wing is slow now, but it's carrying around 150 pounds of bags and fairing. If it sheds its excess weight (which I plan to do, if I follow through on my plan), how would it compare. Would it be noticeably slower than a V65? I don't mean on the track, I mean in the real world.
I can predict some of the responses I'll get. There'll be the "of course you should have known better", and the "My XYZ is better". Lots of pride. Lots of opinions.
I understand that there is a lot to motorcycles that is just opinion, just personal preference. Ride your own ride. I get that. Good on ya.
But I'm wanting to know how these things are measured. Is there a standard statistic published by the trade mags or the manufacturers that would be translate to a meaningful realworld experience. In automobile world, it's the zero-to-60 mph measurement. In motorcycles, we publish torque and hp curves but I don't know what the fudge they mean to me. I mean, it's not a measurement I really grasp.
In the absence of a real measurement, I'll end up buying a different bike every year, riding it for a season, and deciding whether I like it or not. I guess that's not such a bad thing either. Maybe eventually I'll find the "ideal" bike for me. The important thing is that I keep trying, and keep riding....
GL1100 Seats
| Corbin | Best Name, Backrest $400.00 | http://www.corbin.com |
|---|---|---|
| Travelcade | saddleman, JCWhitney | www.saddlemen.com |
| Russell | Ugly | www.day-long.com |
| Mustang | none for GL1100 | www.mustangseats.com |
| Hartco | completely custom | www.hartcoseats.com |
GL1100 Dipstick
From my JCwhitney catalog page 137 chrome plated oil dipstick 75-83 $19.99
part number AGU062202
part number AGU062202
GL1100 Headlights
When it was shipped to me I discovered the housing is plastic.
Plastic headlight
(HLU7BLK)
At first I was disappointed, but then I thought, how noticeable would this really be? At least it won't rust.
I'm going to buy the universal fork ears.
HLB7CH
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or tips. I will have to find some sort of bushings to go inside the mount points, where the headlight mounts to the fork ears.
---------
Here's a link for 7" headlights that are steel and chromed if you are interested. Pretty cheap at $66 and they mount properly...from the side not the bottom.
Chrome Headlights
Also there are brackets that fit 35 mm tubes... I can't remember the diameter off the top of my head for your bike. Might be helpful..if yours a a shade bigger you could hone them out a mite.
Plastic headlight
(HLU7BLK)
At first I was disappointed, but then I thought, how noticeable would this really be? At least it won't rust.
I'm going to buy the universal fork ears.
HLB7CH
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or tips. I will have to find some sort of bushings to go inside the mount points, where the headlight mounts to the fork ears.
---------
Here's a link for 7" headlights that are steel and chromed if you are interested. Pretty cheap at $66 and they mount properly...from the side not the bottom.
Chrome Headlights
Also there are brackets that fit 35 mm tubes... I can't remember the diameter off the top of my head for your bike. Might be helpful..if yours a a shade bigger you could hone them out a mite.
Indiana Motorcycle Expo
It's on our calendars. This year we're taking the kids: Indiana Motorcycle Expo
Saturday 2/24
Sunday 2/25
Saturday 2/24
Sunday 2/25
Ocean View Chronicles
I ran across a fellow blogger, who rides my brand of motorcycle, and who writes the Ocean View Chronicles. I thought you might enjoy his writing too.
Bikes I"ve Ridden
Harley Davidson Street Bob (2007)
Buell XB12STT (2007)
Victory Kingpin Tour (2007)
Victory Vegas 8-Ball (2007)
Honda Magna VF750C (1994)
Honda Magna VF500C (1984)
Honda GoldWing GL1100I (1982)
Kawasaki Spectre KZ1000 (1982)
Suzuki Intruder VS800 (199x)
Buell XB12STT (2007)
Victory Kingpin Tour (2007)
Victory Vegas 8-Ball (2007)
Honda Magna VF750C (1994)
Honda Magna VF500C (1984)
Honda GoldWing GL1100I (1982)
Kawasaki Spectre KZ1000 (1982)
Suzuki Intruder VS800 (199x)
Bikes I Like
BMW K1200R
BMW R1200C
Ducati Monster
Harley Davidson Super Glide
Honda CB900F
Honda GoldWing
Honda Magna
Kawasaki KLR650
Royal Enfield Bullet
Suzuki Bandit
Suzuki Marauder
Triumph America
Triumph Speed Triple
Triumph T100 Bonneville
Victory Vegas 8-Ball
Yamaha YZ1
Yamaha YZ6
BMW R1200C
Ducati Monster
Harley Davidson Super Glide
Honda CB900F
Honda GoldWing
Honda Magna
Kawasaki KLR650
Royal Enfield Bullet
Suzuki Bandit
Suzuki Marauder
Triumph America
Triumph Speed Triple
Triumph T100 Bonneville
Victory Vegas 8-Ball
Yamaha YZ1
Yamaha YZ6
Favorite Motorcycle Movies
The World's Fastest Indian
Wild Hogs
Easy Rider
The Wild Ones
Torque
Biker Boyz
Wild Hogs
Easy Rider
The Wild Ones
Torque
Biker Boyz
Best Sites For Older Goldwing Owners
Randakk's Cycle Shakk www.randakks.com
Gold Wing Facts www.goldwingfacts.com
Naked Gold Wings www.nakedgoldwings.com
Gold Wing Facts www.goldwingfacts.com
Naked Gold Wings www.nakedgoldwings.com
Best Sites For Motorcycle Gear
New Enough | www.newenough.com |
|---|---|
Motorcycle Closeouts | www.motorcyclecloseouts.com |
Baby Biker | www.babybiker.com |
Best Sites For Bike Parts
| Bike Bandit | www.bikebandit.com |
|---|---|
| Dennis Kirk | www.denniskirk.com |
| Old Bike Barn | www.oldbikebarn.com |
| JC Whitney | www.jcwhitney.com |
| J&P Cycles | www.jpcycles.com |
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