1978 Honda Gold Wing

GL1-4008074

Clear

Up for sale is a 1978 Honda gl1000. The bike was purchased non running from an airline pilot in the Austel / Vining area. He had neglected to change the cam belts and one had broken causing a bent valve on cylinder #2. After this travesty of mechanical incompetence he let the bike sit for nearly two years. I would not have normally touched this bike but it had a set of 16" Lester wheels and I had to have them.The positive battery cable has been replaced with a used one as one of the former owners had used two electrical lugs and a piece of coat hanger wire, all wrapped in electrical tape. In the words of Spock " Crude but effective ".The starter solenoid has been replaced.The voltage rectifier has been replaced as the one of the former owners made such a hash out of the wiring on the original one.The bike got a used fuel pump as the original one failed.The bike had several wiring issues that required repair so a used harness was purchased and parts scavenged from it.The fusable link, long the downfall of this bike, has been replaced with a 30 amp ATC fuse and splash proof fuse holder. A former owner had tried to use two fuses, both thirty amps, on each of the power feeds. The fuse holders were the quarter turn type popular with car stereos in the late 70's.The bike got new spark plugs, exhaust pipe to cylinder head gaskets, battery, coolant, cam belts, final drive oil, fork oil, brake fluid, fuel lines, and fuel filter.The bike had its front fender replaced with a used stock one. To accommodate a large front tire one of the former owners had put this ugly, spray painted black abomination of a fender. It will also go on my personal 'wall of shame'.Several O rings and gaskets have been replaced with Honda parts on the water piping atop the motor.The carburetors were cleaned and rebuilt using Randakk master kits following the instructional DVD and syncronized afterwards. The bike has air fittings on the front forks and air forks on the rear. Much to my amazement these still hold air.The bike has an aftermarket front master cylinder. This is a legacy of one of the former owners. As reservoirs and rebuild kits for the original units have gotten prohibitively expensive, this probably wasn't a bad choice.The bike got a set of used Vetter lowers, attached by well nuts.The bike has a set of mirrors mounted to the Vetter fairing. They look like something you would see in the automotive section of Walmart. They do, however, work.All replaced parts have been retained and are available for inspection. However, these parts DO NOT go with the bike. The battery positive cable will go onto my personal 'wall of shame'.The bike has a set of Drag Specialties valve covers. I dislike these as I have found them prone to leaking.The exhaust on this bike is an inexpensive aftermarket unit. It is rather throaty but not too loud. The exhaust is however a little out of character for a Gold Wing.The seat was replaced with an aftermarket unit one of the correct year. The cover is lacking, but the seat that came with the bike was one of those heinous double bucket saddleman seats with a severely cracked cover. People tell me they are comfortable, but I cannot abide by their appearance.The bike came originally with a set of Bates fiberglass bags and top box. These are a very old school set made with a chopper gun and resin. They are serviceable, but that is about it. Mounting these bags took several trips to Home Depot for hardware. I do not have the keys to them and the rain seals were probably totally ineffective when they were brand new. Given that one of the former owners drilled drain holes in them I wouldn't put anything in there I wouldn't want getting wet.The front turn signals are the Vetter units and the rears are Bates units that kind of integrate into the bags. They worked and I didn't see a reason to change them. Original Honda rear turn signals and the mounting hardware was prohibitively expensive. Additionally I don't think they would have fit.The valves were adjusted previous to carburetor syncronization.The left side head gasket, exhaust gaskets, valve stem seals, and the associated o rings were replaced when the bent valve on the #2 cylinder was replaced.The head work was done by Cylinder Head Exchange here in Marietta. I cannot say enough good things about the quality of their work.The bike got three filter and oil changes while being brought back to road worthy status.The bike had had the Lester wheels replaced with a set of used year correct Comstar wheels. The tires that came on the wheels are what is on the bike. Although the wheels have a great deal of tread left I do not know their history. My experience has been that these old tires tend to wear rather quickly. I would suggest replacing them sooner rather than later.The bike has been washed once since I have owned it. Just before the pictures were taken. Although the bike cleans up nicely, it's not going to win any beauty contests. To that end I could not bring myself to remove the two american flag decals on the front windscreen.Bike is currently full of non ethanol marine gas and 20/50 Valvoline motorcycle oil.The handlebars look to be slightly bent, but barely noticeable.The bike is a great rider. If you want a pristine Gold Wing polished by the hair of maidens this might not be the bike for you.Bike is sold without any warranties either expressed or implied.I will be more than happy to help your shipper load the bike.A helmet and jacket will be made available for a test ride when bike is picked up. You are more than welcome to start it up stone cold. Please be aware that all of my bikes are stored with the carburetors run dry and on a trickle charger, so it takes about a minute of cranking for them to fill up the carbs and run.Georgia does not require a title for bikes this old. Ownership will be transferred by a bill of sale. A notarized bill of sale will be provided upon request.I don't know what the other 49 states require to register bikes, please consult your local tag office.If you need more pictures please let me know. I will get them to you as quickly as possible.I DON"T MAKE OFF EBAY DEALS.If have any questions please ask. I will get an answer to you as quickly as possible.Please review and understand the terms of the auction.