Detail Info for: 1981 Honda Gold Wing 1981 Honda Goldwing GL 1100

Transaction Info
Sold On:
06/26/2018
Price:
$ 700.00
Condition:
Mileage:
52244
Location:
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 17701
Seller Type:
Private Seller
Vehicle Specification
Year Make Model:
1981 Honda Gold Wing
Submodel Body Type:
Engine:
Transmission:
VIN:
1HFSC0205BA123843
Vehicle Title:
Clear
Drive Train:
Fuel Type:
Standard Equipment:
Optional Equipment:
Vehicle Detail
Good project and/or parts bike, with rebuilt Carbs. Please forgive the long description; I want you to know exactly what you may be bidding on. This is a 1981 Honda GL 1100. I purchased the bike as a non-runner in order to get it running and decide how much I wanted to do to it. It received the usual old Gold Wing treatment prior to get it running: Fuel tank removed and treated with EvapoRust. OEM fuel-level sender gasket prior to re-installation. Carbs shipped to Pistol Pete in Tennessee for complete rebuild, including replacement with OEM float valves.New OEM fuel pump, fuel lines, filter.New Gates Timing Belts.NAPA thermostat, radiator hoses.NGK plugs.OEM Choke cable.Flushed radiator/engine with Evaporust cooling system treatment x 2 and lots of distilled water (once the engine was running, obviously). The sealed maintenance-free battery was purchased about two years ago and is always on a Battery Tender when the bike is parked.New OEM intake/exhaust valve stem seals (heads stayed on the engine). This is the third old Honda GL in my garage, and my deal with The Boss was that I would only perform enough work on the bike to get it running and decide from there. With all the above changes made, I was able to get it running. However, I have never been able to get the engine to stop smoking completely, specifically on the right side. I replaced all 8 intake/exhaust valve stem seals with OEM seals in an attempt to tell myself it wasn't the rings...and it still smokes a little, though greatly improved compared to when it fired up for the first time after sitting for so long. The previous owner assured me "it ran really well when I parked it," though by my estimation it sat for many years before I bought it. I am still convinced that the engine could "come back," specifically if it was run at speed under load, perhaps with some popular internet concoctions in the crank case to help breathe new life into sedentary engines. However, this would require replacing both tires (the tire valve stems are completely shot and will not reliably hold air for more than a few minutes), completely rebuilding the brake system (calipers, seals, master cylinders, reservoirs, and if you do it correctly, all brake lines as well), and rebuilding the suspension. If you were on a budget, you could technically get away with leaky front fork seals and the rear Progressive suspension in order to run it fast, but taking a bike with flat tires and non-existent brakes above parking lot speeds is a poor decision. As this is my third bike, my wife will not tolerate me paying for the above items "just to see if the rings are really OK." Two things can happen moving forward: Either the bike is made rideable and once it is able to be run under load at speed for an extended period the rings seat better and all is well, or the rings never come back and the crankcase can be split for a tear down/rebuild, or the bike can be used for parts. In the latter case you would have a set of expertly rebuilt Carbs that will technically fit on any GL1100, and many really good spare parts to use for other projects. The bike starts quickly and idles really well without choke after about 20 seconds - a testament to the expert work that Pistol Pete does (all three of my GL's have had their Carbs rebuilt by him). This bike has excellent pickup and accelerates quicker than my two other bikes that are in very good condition - though again I have yet to get this bike out of third gear in a large parking lot. The right side smoke is almost completely gone at idle, but is much worse when the revs climb. If you like these old bikes and are mechanically inclined, this is the project bike for you. I can send additional pictures of the work or a video of it running via text if you like. I will also provide the Pistol Pete receipt/paperwork for this Carb set with purchase, and I have the Title for the bike in my name. I run all of my old Goldwings with Stabil in the fuel year round - this bike includes a great set of Carbs! As you can see, the previous owner "wanted to paint it a color that no one else had." Mission accomplished, sir. He seems to have done a good job on it, with plenty of clear coat, but it is definitely green. The tool tray (without tools) that sits on top of the air cleaner is included with the bike; I just wanted to include some pictures of the bike without the body work on it as well so you could see how it looks under the body work. It also started life as a Standard and had the front turn signals chopped and a Vetter fairing put on it. The previous owner took all that stuff off with the goal of making it a Standard again. He had an old Moto Guzzi headlight bucket on it when I bought it; that explains the missing headlight. Local pickup in north central PA. Sold as is without any guarantees, obviously. I feel based on the bike's excellent acceleration and good idle that given some proper attention, the rings will tighten up and all will be well, but I can't guarantee that and I'm not allowed to throw any more money at it in order to find out. Please feel free to contact me with any questions if interested - I will be happy to talk, and/or send additional pictures or a video of it running if you so desire.