Goldwing cafe racer!

[atadaskew]

My first reaction when I read the ad (before clicking on it) was that it was gonna be really sucky.
But.. it's weird.  It's cool.  It's weirdly cool.
I dig it.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/1551882006.html

[j1mmyj4m]

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk%20Supercharger%20Kit.htm

[JonS]

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk%20Supercharger%20Kit.htm

That bike is very well done.

[Lawn Dart]

You all seem to forget that the Honda Goldwing was introduced as a naked muscle bike to compete against HD.  

It wasn't until some joker slapped a Windjammer fairing on one that it turned into the super-tourer that it now is.

[Dutch]

Used to hang with a guy who worked at Deals Gap who had a Wing set up that way - like 15 years ago.

[oldenslow]

Yep, when the Goldwing first came out, it was the 2nd quickest bike in the quarter mile behind the Z1.

[ksann]

I like that late 70's Cafe look.





ken

[Dutch]

I like that late 70's Cafe look.

The problem is - it is just the look.

[JoeyBones]

I like it.

[ksann]

The problem is - it is just the look.

So? I don't always want to go fast.

I would rather ride this than a typical cruiser.



ken

[chornbe]

You all seem to forget that the Honda Goldwing was introduced as a naked muscle bike to compete against HD.  

It wasn't until some joker slapped a Windjammer fairing on one that it turned into the super-tourer that it now is.

Agreed. It's not *that* much off from stock.

[rgbeard]

I had a bone-stock naked GL-1100 several months ago - I sold it a few weeks after it arrived.

But the time I spent with it was awesome.  Lots of fun!!!!!!

I'd love to romp this Cafe-racer GL around a little.

[rgbeard]

This one's pretty kewl as well:


http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/1544538463.html

[Justin]

I like this vid of a supercharged one from the previous link..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pf7DL18RxA

[atadaskew]

I'd love to romp this Cafe-racer GL around a little.

Dood it selling it....
 

[Dave R]

Chris Denzler successfully raced this one in WMRRA races in 2000 to take 3rd overall for the year in heavyweight vintage superbike!!


Rocket Science Racing Wings It
http://f650.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=208175&p=286881&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

[desertxxrider]

I guess it has the reliability going for it if nothing else.

[R Doug]

I like this vid of a supercharged one from the previous link..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pf7DL18RxA

Though the wind noise was masking the sound of the supercharger, you could still hear enough of it to admire its awesomeness.  

[R Doug]

Oh yeah, I could cruise around town (and more) on this.

[Blunder]

The problem is - it is just the look.

Erm, no, back in the day it was quite the special piece of two wheeled machinery.

One of the first Cycle issues I read had a six bike comparo of big bikes. They were all nakeds, back when all bikes were naked, and it included the 'Wing, BMW R90/6, the big Guzzi of the day, the big Norton, Suzuki's 750 Kettle, and....well I can't remember the rest. The 'Wing and the BMW were declared co-winners based on performance and reliability after an extensive session of testing and an expansive tour of the southwest.

Back then the 'Wing was almost revolutionary. A water cooled flat four with shaft drive, modern chassis and the reliability of a stone fence meant a lot. People did all sorts of things with them. Most fitted them with Windjammers and went touring (the current 'Wing is the result as Honda, ever aware of the market, looked at what its customers preferred) but there were several variations on a number of themes. Some of the results were 'cafe' racer bikes. They were never a threat to racerboys on their RDs but they were there. The 'cafe'd 'Wings had a certain presence.

[X1rider]

Used to hang with a guy who worked at Deals Gap who had a Wing set up that way - like 15 years ago.

Cyborg? The most famous GW cafe racer ever?

[SuperHans]

I've always felt one of these old GL's would make a good project bike.

[atypical1]

I hate to say it but I could definitely imagine owning one of those. Especially for only $2600.

james

[rgbeard]

I hate to say it but I could definitely imagine owning one of those. Especially for only $2600.

james

You'd have a great time with one.  Wanna go look at the 2,600 one?  I'll bet we can get it for more like 2,200.

[3Bird]

I like this one better..

http://www.bikeexif.com/honda-gold-wing-bulldog-bobber

[rgbeard]

This guy is trying to replicate that.

he's had this on Criagslist for at least 4 months  - now he's down to 1,500.

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/mcy/1551618643.html

At that price, it's kinda making me scratch my head..... but where would I park it????

[ST-DocLizard1]

I appreciate the customs, but I like mine in stock trim.

Doc

[thatguy]

I like the older wings.The newer ones are just too automotive for me.Had a 1000CC as a loaner for a couple months.Thoroughly enjoyed everything but the seat.Hideous thing.

[VAbikeguy]

I didn't like the stock or aftermarket seats that I had for my '81 Goldwing.  But man, that was a great bike.  There are many things I miss about owning the GL1100.  If my wife would let me own more than one bike, I would still own it.  Mine was a fully dressed version, but I would love the chance to test ride a naked wing.

[3Bird]

This guy is trying to replicate that.

he's had this on Criagslist for at least 4 months  - now he's down to 1,500.

http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/mcy/1551618643.html

At that price, it's kinda making me scratch my head..... but where would I park it????

Worth asking for a test ride anyway..

[woodman]

My first reaction when I read the ad (before clicking on it) was that it was gonna be really sucky.
But.. it's weird.  It's cool.  It's weirdly cool.
I dig it.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/1551882006.html

 I like it!!

[Flyer]

 I like it!!

+ another one.
I think of it as a "Cafe-Cruiser".

[SteveG]

I have always had a soft spot for the older wings. I think the cafe style really works for them.    I rode one for a month while on leave in Texas when I was heading to my first duty station in 88.  It was a blast, but I had to watch on those hill country back roads, the engine gaurd would scrape pretty quickly in the tight stuff..

[Indefatigable]

Back in the late 70's there was a guy who worked at Devon Honda (long gone) in Devon PA who had a cool cafe GL.  The guy could ride too.  

[rgbeard]

Not a Cafe Racer - but waaaaay toooooo mucccchhh fun to pass up at the price.

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1977-HONDA-gl-1000-goldwing-96032575

[motrhead]

 These old Wings can hustle along pretty well when they don't have all the fiberglass and trinkets weighing them down.
  When the GL1000 was introduced in '75 there wasn't much on the road to compete. The Honda may have been 100 pounds heavier, but it was still quicker than the BMW R90S.
  There are a bunch of cafe style bikes on Naked Goldwings:
http://ngwclub.com/forum/index.php
I'm converting my naked GL1100 from cruiser to standard/clubman right now.

[blk_hole2]

Honda is going to do it themselves !

[Flyer]

Honda is going to do it themselves !

It's a fine step back from the Ruin.
Sorry...Rune.

[atadaskew]

Honda is going to do it themselves !

When Harleys fly.

[motrhead]

 I can't get past the headlight...the top looks like Marvin the Martian, and the whole light looks one of the Cylons from Battlestar Galactica. I just don't get these modern kids with their tortured angles and bulbous protuberances I can't be the only "older" person that doesn't like this?  The rest of it looks decent.  It's definitely better than the Rune.

[Rusty the Scoob]

 I can't get past the headlight...the top looks like Marvin the Martian, and the whole light looks one of the Cylons from Battlestar Galactica. I just don't get these modern kids with their tortured angles and bulbous protuberances I can't be the only "older" person that doesn't like this?  The rest of it looks decent.  It's definitely better than the Rune.

I'm only 34 and I'm way against the sci-fi bike look.   I don't want a bike that looks like it's going to transform into a robot and eat me.

[Randakk]

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk%20Supercharger%20Kit.htm

One of my GL1000s was mentioned above.

Here's the most current incarnation:



Full build details:

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk's%20Endurance%20Special.htm

...and here's a brief YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmCnS69QdDw

Thanks for the mention.

[rgbeard]

One of my GL1000s was mentioned above.

Here's the most current incarnation:



Full build details:

http://www.randakks.com/Randakk's%20Endurance%20Special.htm

...and here's a brief YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmCnS69QdDw

Thanks for the mention.

I need a bucket for the drool......
 

[zx14dreamin]

I like these GW Cafe racers perfect solution for me to fit on a Cafe racer, I also liked the Rune always wanted to have one in purple and I like that futuristic one pictured earlier except I think it should have been left a shaft drive...

[1KPerDay]

very cool, randakk.

[Giaka]

When Harleys fly.

Been done....well almost.  

"WITTMAN HARDLY ABELSON


In 1995, Pat Packard built a replica of Steve Wittman’s first airplane, the Hardly Abelson. Steve built the original in 1923, while he was still in high school. The airplane was powered by a 61 cu. in. Harley Davidson V-twin motorcycle engine with a 52-inch propeller that was driven through a chain drive reduction unit. The name “Hardly Abelson” was derived from the engine’s inability to do more than propel Steve on a few crow hops across a cow pasture.

Since the Hardly Abelson was hardly able to fly, Steve never produced any plans or took any photos of the airplane. When Pat got the idea to build the replica, he had to work with Steve over a period of four years in order to draw up his own set of plans.

Pat began building the reproduction in the fall of 1995, working in the EAA AirVenture Museum’s workshop in full view of museum visitors. When the Hardly Abelson replica was completed, it was moved to the Steve Wittman Hangar at Pioneer Airport for permanent display."

[Mr.Awesome]

Saw this one at the Stockbridge show last fall. Thought is was different and nicely done.

[Randakk]

Saw this one at the Stockbridge show last fall. Thought is was different and nicely done.

That is Greg Foresi's "White Trash" GL1000. It is a fascinating bike and NGW Club's Bike of the Month for March:

http://www.ngwclub.com/

Build details here: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/d/132537-2/White+Trash+GL1000.pdf

(I was pleased to supply a few key bits on that bike including the dual Weber intake manifolds.)