Are goldwings really made of gold?

[Grider Pirate]

Originally Posted by datchew

So with conservative estimates and assumptions that these beasts are mostly steel, I'm thinking about $300-$400 would be the scrap value.

Unlikely. I just got $175.00 for a 5000lb. truck.
Here's one in my area:
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/2092448288.html
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/2092371812.html

[12ARX]

In oz they are... http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/results.aspx?TabID=1409178&Ntt=goldwing&keywords=goldwing&N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967259&Ntk=BikeAll&Dx=mode%20matchany&Nne=15&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ns=p_PriceSort_Decimal%7C0%7C%7Cp_Make_String%7C0% 7C%7Cp_Model_String%7C0&D=goldwing

[fishkens]

Originally Posted by datchew

ya know, those naked wings look a good bit like the honda valkyrie cruisers.
I would guess it's the same engine.

Yep. Sure enough is. Wonder if it's tuned differently though. Probably not, just twist, shift, twist, shift, twist.

[Yarddog]

Mine was given to me in July by the original owner...with a Vetter II fairing, funky rack, and Shoei bags...I think I paid a fair price for it...a 1975 model in teal green...

[waveydavey]

Originally Posted by SOS

Picked up a 1975 GL1000 for $150 last year.



After some used parts, a bit of work, a dyna ignition and new tires it has run me about a grand.



Actually, the new tires came after that pic.

Sweet bike, and a screaming deal. Good work!

[MikeyT]

Originally Posted by datchew

ya know, those naked wings look a good bit like the honda valkyrie cruisers.
I would guess it's the same engine.

Almost. The naked Wings were all four cylinders. 1000, 1100, and 1200 for one year. The Valkyrie used the six from the GL1500.

[datchew]

Originally Posted by Grider Pirate

Unlikely. I just got $175.00 for a 5000lb. truck.
Here's one in my area:
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/2092448288.html
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/2092371812.html

Oh good. This validates my comments about it being a conservative estimate.

[JWhitmore44]

Originally Posted by fishkens

Yep. Sure enough is. Wonder if it's tuned differently though. Probably not, just twist, shift, twist, shift, twist.

The Valk is tuned different than the GL1500 wing. 2 wheeled version of a factory muscle car.

[bk brkr baker]

Goldwings, 4 or 6 cylinders. Best bike I've never wanted.

[Waco]

I'd like to have something with a 4-cyl boxer engine..............................a WRX.

[steingar]

But when I got the firebreathing sportbike, Mrs. Steingar announced in a loud and quite authoritative voice that she no longer bent quite that far, and would not be riding pillion on it. Fine, I put on a solo cowl for the quality of the riding company.

Anyhow, the Mrs. announced that she did miss our occasional moto jaunts, so I started looking for a number 2 bike. Never ran a stable, but always fun to try something new. I really wanted a scooter, but those things are all running an easy grand. Then I saw an early 80s vintage Wing for about the same price. I figured it was a lot of bike for the money, and bought it.

I have to say I'm a convert. The thing is really, heavy, no doubts there. It has a low center of gravity (like Buells, the gas tank is fake on the wing. The real gas tank is down low) and does give a really nice ride.

The cases are nice. I always want the Mrs. to gear up, but she never wants to wear the stuff once we get there. Now it gets shoved in the cases. The big windshield has turned it into my winter ride.

The down side is the same as owning any other 25 year old bike. They need a lot of attention. Mine has required numerous repairs, and is down for service right now. I really missed it for my early winter riding season. But parts are cheap and ubiquitous, and it will be back. I doubt you could find any 25 year old bike that needed less. I doubt strongly you could find one with the kind of miles put on Wings that are still in good shape.

I doubt I'll ever again be without one.

[bmwhacker]

BUMP:

I never had any intention of buying a Goldwing, but the old "naked" wings of the 70's always intrigued me. I recently had a fairly nice 1981 R65 BMW for sale and couldn't seem to give it away. I listed it for $1600.00 and couldn't even get a low ball offer. I happened to see a CL Ad and a guy had a ground up refurbished 1977 "naked" wing for sale for $2500.00 ...or trade. We ended up making a title for title trade. I couldn't be happier with the Goldwing.

I've been watching the Goldwing market and decent ones can be found for a bargain...and parts bikes are pretty much dirt cheap. After working on / owning BMW's for the past 20 years I find that the Goldwing is quite a bit more complex but parts are plentiful and very cheap. My new acquisition luckily has been very well maintained and kept up. The bike came with a factory shop manual, three different binders full of photos, in-depth build information and log books from the previous owner. He added Progressive front & rear suspension componants (pretty harsh when riding light) and Jardine Headers & Mufflers.
The bike is a joy to ride on the highway as it just idles along at 75 MPH and gets 40 - 48 mpg.
Now I might keep my eyes open for a cheap sidehack to attach to it. But for the time being it is a great solo bike.



I added a small tank rack to hold my magnetic tank bags, some soft luggage and temporarily borrowed the windscreen off my BMW sidecar rig for a recent trip.



Never thought I'd own a "Honda-bego" but the damn thing is a hoot to ride.

[Padmei]

There's something about them alright. Nice purchase. I reckon they've got the same thing going for them as airheads - big, low & comfy

[FJ_Kevin]

The old wings are nice bikes and plenty fun.

Mine had ~14K on it and barely ran when I bought it 2-1/2 years ago. I think several people had their hands in the carbs through the years as they were a real mess.

It runs much much better now but I still have a very slight stumble off low throttle settings to work out. I guess I did not get one quite clean enough.



Even so, we have been enjoying quite a bit since getting it back on the road.

Here is a couple of snaps taken this spring on the country roads of Maryland. First one is in Butler near Falls Road.




This one is somewhere in Harford County MD.


The bike is in pretty darn nice shape and came with new tires. I took a chance in paying $1900 with it running so poorly. It took considerable effort and about $200 worth of new and used carb parts to get it going. Plus a new battery. So maybe I have about $2200 in it now.... hmmm... maybe $2300.

Perhaps that is too much, but as I say, my wife and I have been having a good time riding it so what the heck!
She does say the wing is more comfy than the airhead.

[Bill Harris]

Originally Posted by 'Hacker

...buying a Goldwing, but the old "naked" wings of the 70's always intrigued me.

Same here. If I ever get a second bike it will be and "old school, pre-barcalounger" 'Wing. And if&when I ever go the hack route I would take the 'Wing route. In many ways, I've considered the early Goldwing design as being what BMW should have done, as opposed to Bricks and Oilies.

Good move.