OK...so like I need yet another bike...right???

[chuck hahn]

Thats very reassuring Ed

[JEEPRUSTY]

Hydraulic lifters on these I wonder? Steve?
Damn I will go look it up.

[JEEPRUSTY]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-touring/bridgewater/1976-honda-gl1000/1003953776?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Check out this one Chuck. Owner wants 3k not much nicer than yours if any.

[GSX1000E]

IIRC, there is something about the cam chains needing replacement before 100,000 miles and every 100,000 thereafter.
If they break, the valves get bent. Sound familiar?
Beautiful bike and probably good for a few hundred thousand more miles with good care. GREAT SCORE Chuck!!!

[Steve]

How are the cylinders numbered on a Gold wing???

Look down on the engine from above, you will see that one side is just a bit farther forward than the other (I don't remember which one). The cylinders are numbered from front to back.

OH MY FRIGGINN GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didnt even look at the miles. Blew up the one pic and it says...........79,333 for god sakes!!! HMMMM...got me a little worry going on .

Nothing to worry about there, it's just barely broken in.

IS that high mileage for this engine?
I recall reading an ad way back when that boasted of getting a million "high performance" miles outta them.

Not sure about a million, but several hundred thousand are common. The highest one that I have personally seen was a 1200 (1985 model) that had 385,000 on it.

My 2000 Wing has just over 185,000 miles and is just now starting to show signs of leaky valve seals. About 1 in 15 or 20 cold starts, there will be a very brief puff of blue smoke.

I dont know if that HIGH mileage, midlife, or put a bullet in it mileage. Never had a Goldwing before. Guess a lot would depend on the frequency of oil changes and other upkeep??????

Just like any other engine.

That is not really very high for that engine. How worried would you be about finding a 1980 GS with 70,000 miles? Exact same number of miles per year, but the water cooling and under-stressed design of the Wing, it is that much less to worry about.

Hydraulic lifters on these I wonder? Steve?

No, hydraulic lifters did not show up until 1984, on the 1200 engine.

IIRC, there is something about the cam chains needing replacement before 100,000 miles and every 100,000 thereafter.
If they break, the valves get bent. Sound familiar?

Right concept, wrong detail. There are belts driving the cams, not chains. If they were chains, they would not break, but Honda felt they would be too noisy and chose to use belts.

Yes, this is an "interference" engine. If the belts break, it's cheaper to find a new engine than it is to repair this one. The general recommendation is to change them every 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. If there is no recollection of changing them, do it NOW. NAPA carries belts for it that are about half the cost of Honda belts. That will save you just about enough money to also change the tensioners. Yes, two of them, one for each belt.

About the only other thing that goes out somewhat regularly on the early Wings is the water pump. You will see evidence of a leak from a weep hole in its housing before it fails totally. Certainly enough warning to be able to change it before anything drastic happens.

.

[viperg]

Chuck, I really like these vintage wings. I think this is a great score! Personally, I have seen an early model with 450k miles on the clock. I don't think you will ever wear it out.

[DanTheMan]

One of my friends just upgraded to an '87 'Wing. He would like to sell me his other 'Wing, it's an '85 fully dressed and then some (Interstate package), has 68,000 miles on it. I can get it for $2,000, it's had regular maintenance, a beautiful bike. I wish I had the money for it, but I really think the next bike I get will be something like a DR450 or a KZ. I need a dual purpose, not another road bike right now.

[nejeff]

Chuck, are you planning on a quick flip or going to ride it? Those early naked Wings are cool! I could have bought a running 75' last year for $400 but around these parts there is very minimal upside to make a buck. If yours needs extensive service, battery, tires, ect you could find yourself upside down in a hurry. Clean carbs , polish up and sell is my vote

[nejeff]

One of my friends just upgraded to an '87 'Wing. He would like to sell me his other 'Wing, it's an '85 fully dressed and then some (Interstate package), has 68,000 miles on it. I can get it for $2,000, it's had regular maintenance, a beautiful bike. I wish I had the money for it, but I really think the next bike I get will be something like a DR450 or a KZ. I need a dual purpose, not another road bike right now.

I think my son is eventually going to go full touring (ie Wing / Venturer ) at some point. Like you said you can find them well serviced & nice shape for a low bucks fairly easily

[Octain]

Arent those carbs a bear to remove? Something about the engine has to come out?

[Rob S.]

How could you resist? First Goldwing, very historically significant, $300?!?

I rode a friend's '75 when it was new. One guy said he didn't like it because it was too smooth - too much like a car.

Wonder what that guy would say about the newer ones with reverse gears!

If I had a 'Wing, I'd ride it naked - no fairing, no windshield, no bags, no trunk. No clothes, in summer.

[chuck hahn]

Nebraska...It was running last summer when the carbs started leaking and other than that there wasnt any issues...that he is telling me about anyway.

Already got ahold of my buddy down in Killeen Texas thats been the top metric bike mechanic for Killeen Power Sports since 1980. He has advised me to get the carbs off, clean them and do new orings. And he said there is a fuel transfer tube down by the airbox plenum that has orings at the ends which are famous for giving up the ghost.

I also intend on changing the antifreeze and timing belts soon as its an established runner again. Also doing the full maintenance schedule per the service manual. The rear diff oil for sure is gonna be changed too. Probably gonna keep it for a while and see how it grows on me. Never rode a wing before.

[rustybronco]

Chuck, it will probably need a bunch of work done to it. I'll be down shortly to take it off your hands.

[chuck hahn]

Dale..your not allowed here unless Penelope is under your rear end...LOL

[rustybronco]

Now would that mean all or just part of her? I can throw the frame in the trailer!
Nice score Chuck. Those are one of my favorite bikes. That and the R series BMW's from the same era.