My Naked Goldwing.

Sidecover. Ran out of film.

<--- I loves me some Coop.

OK, got me some pixels.

When the weather started getting nice, my son was lementing (whining) about not having a motorcycle anymore. I cruised the classifieds thinking I could build him something quick, light and cheap and surprise him next spring.

I found a 1980 Goldwing for $1000. The owner didn't ride much, gas in the tank was two years old. He wouldn't budge on the price because the sneakers were 8 months old and he handed me a receipt for a batterry he put in the previous wekend. OK, on the truck.

As soon as I got it home the Vetter fairing, goofy bags and floorboards were gone. My 1980 came with air shocks in the back, up until 1979 GWs had the normal coils with shocks. I bought a dead Wing for $50 in Connecticut because I needed pegs, shift lever and rear shocks. Most everything I didn't need went to members of a naked goldwing message board (www.ngw.com) Pay the shipping and whatever you need is free.

The rear shocks were reworked to be 2" lower and the front was dropped the same amount. Bars are 7/8" pipe bent 30 degrees at each end. I sent the seat to Sargent Seats to be recovered. Wonderful work, I got exactly what I wanted and the workmanship is top notch. I hate it. It's too big, too goofy, makes the bike too tall and covers the rear fender which I do like.

The gray paint applied ala roller is the same Marine Grade oil base Enamel that adorns the stairs in my house. I have enough of it to cover my Challenge car also.

Final tally:

1980 Wing: $1000.

Seat: $300.

Rear lights: $37

Lighted license plate: $45

Grips: $12

Honda 550 headlight: $38

Purple checkerboard stripe: $30

Nuts & bolts & chachtkas: $$$

Sold the fairing & GW crap: -$90.

Total $1430.

Wednesday I got it inspected (required NYS Safety Inspection) passed, put one gallon of 93 octane in and went for a 20 mile scoot.

HOE LEE KARAPPP !!!! It's heavy enough that tar strips and pebbled don't bother it, but light enough that when you're on a 45mph back road and whick it open it just frikkin rockets! In my short 20 mile ride I could feel the old gas going out and the 93 taking over. I can't wait for the tank to be dry and I can fill it with all good stuff.

I have some adjustments to make. I'm not comfortable with the amount of light out back, getting rear ended jujst sucks so I'm adding something. I'm not happy with the seat. I paid $300 for it and don't want to do that again but I'll live with it until next season. The bars are low and tight enough that they hit the tank on tight turns, like inside the garage. I may change those.

So. Here we are. You've followed along this far, here's the final line:

Given an opportunity to own a behemoth bike; DO IT!!

Oh, and Ian: You're not getting this bike.

Looks nice Dan, now just needs chopped off baffles.

Got 'em.

CarKid1989 Approved!

Sick bike. A few guy at the vintage bike night i go to have goldwings. oh wow, never thought they could look good. They are now on my to buy lists

Where'd you get the stickers of my ex-wife?

Excellent bike. Always liked those as a rock solid standard. Those motors go miles and miles and miles having more in common with a car motor than a cycle motor.

I'm with you on the seat. If I was never carrying a passenger I'd go solo. If I had to have a passenger I'd do something to expose the rear fender more. You're on the right track there.

And with CarKid approval.

You need a 6 inch long by 1 or 2 inch tall LED rectangle under the lic plate for a stop light.
I know i've seen curved lights that would match the seat curve but fenders not long enough and you need to house it somehow..

like sold here. M8-x6PC series Truck Clearance Marker Lights

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Ftruck_lights.htm%23tail

Bitchin'!

Corbin = $700 and not much smaller than what I have. This is a GRM bike.

Tony, I bought 3.5 X 5/8" LED turn signals. That should help.

Dan

Thanks! My buddy has 10 bikes but drinks ytoo much to ride much. Sometimes he gets surprised when the UPS guy drops off a box he doesn't remember ordering.

I know he's got four Softtail seats. Maybe someone at the NGW board will take this one off my hands.

Dan

CarKid1989 wrote: CarKid1989 Approved!

At least for this week!

Before pictures:

Before pictures:

sure looks like something i'd like to ride :)...

sweetness :)

I always thought naked is usually always a good thing(.especially when it's co-ed) except for bikes. You've got me in the market for a second Goldwing. I think an 1100/1200 stripped and cafed is the hotz!

Cool. Go to their gallery, I'm an enabler.

http://www.ngwclub.com/

and I see way too many of those in the $400-900 range around here

Really! My kid isn't getting this one, but if there's another on the horizon.....

there's a couple for $500 in my area

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/1764364857.html

and

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/1779165090.html (within 5 miles of me)

Dang it Dan. I just spent way to much time going through the gallery.

Now I'm headed to CL to see if there are any for sale locally.

Always willing to lend a hand:

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/1740443365.html

Hey, for $500 you want to buy it and take a road trip north? http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/1719140833.html

http://columbusga.craigslist.org/mcy/1775332732.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/1782886091.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/1744059716.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/1742390521.html

You suck. Both of those are less than ten minutes from my house. I saw the first one the other day but missed the second one. I may have to go look at the second one even though I have no money to spend right now.