Changing My Mind

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....

Helmet Cam-Dirt Bike Hill Climb- Viosport Helmet Camera

Dirt Bike Hill Climb

GL1100 Seats

Corbin Best Name, Backrest $400.00 http://www.corbin.com
Travelcadesaddleman, JCWhitney www.saddlemen.com
RussellUglywww.day-long.com
Mustangnone for GL1100www.mustangseats.com
Hartcocompletely custom www.hartcoseats.com

GL1100 Dipstick

From my JCwhitney catalog page 137 chrome plated oil dipstick 75-83 $19.99
part number AGU062202

GL1100 Fork Ears

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Fork Ears


JC Whitney

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Fork Diameter:
38.9 mm

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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.

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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

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 Owned

1994 Honda Magna (VF750C)
1982 Honda GoldWing Interstate (GL1100I)
1984 Honda Magna V30 (VF500C)

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)

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

Favorite Motorcycle TV Shows

Feasting On Asphalt
American Chopper
Epic Ride
Super Bikes!

Favorite Motorcycle Movies

The World's Fastest Indian
Wild Hogs
Easy Rider
The Wild Ones
Torque
Biker Boyz

Best Sites For Honda V4 Owners

Sabmag
Magna Owner's Of Texas
Dave Dodge
V4 Honda BBS

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

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