Free Honda Gold Wing motorcycle for MV

[Elliot]

This 1978 Honda Gold Wing was parked in a nice dry garage 15 years ago, in perfect running condition. The owner, a friend of mine, simply grew old and quit riding. He gifted it to me a few months ago, on the premise that I would build something fun out of it. But I have too many projects and not enough money, so I want to pass it on to a burner who really has the capacity to build a Mutant Vehicle around it.

The engine itself should be good. It cranks fine and has spark. But the carburetors and fuel pump will need work -- they are completely "frozen".

I have the title, signed off by my friend.

(Before you get the idea that this is too good a motorcycle to cut up, be aware that it faces the maximum of delinquent registration fees -- something like $500,-. And again, it is morally earmarked for an MV.)

I can take pictures and e-mail you.

In case you are not familiar with the Gold Wing, it is a 1000 cc boxer-4 with shaft drive.

Located in Clearlake, Lake County, Northern California.

[graidawg]

what a sweet gift elliot, though a goldwing isnt really a motorcycle in my humble opinion i mean it has reverse gear! and an ashtray!

[theCryptofishist]

What about it staying upright at 5mph?

[ygmir]

What about it staying upright at 5mph?

sidecar

[theCryptofishist]

and an ashtray!

Necessary on the playa...

[Elliot]

No. To my knowledge there is no reverse gear on this one. That was probably only on some versions which came equipped for sidecar use from the factory.

No, I do not anticipate this machine used as a two-wheeled MV. I figure on the powertrain being used in a three- or four-wheeler.

I'm told the Gold Wing is known for high speed in low gears, so it will probably be necessary to gear it down somehow.

[motskyroonmatick]

Right on Eliot!
I'm going to be giving away my mutant vehicle soon and it feels good to make the decision to unload and get it in good hands. I need to remove the navigational radar first though. Saving that.

Seems like a shaft drive motorcycle engine would be optimal for hooking up to say a pickup axle. Good gear reduction there. Much more quiet than a chain drive.

[BBadger]

That thing needs a "horse" body attached to it so it looks like it's pulling a wagon or carriage. That'd be pretty cool.

[Elliot]

The final drive ratio on the Gold Wing is listed as 3.4. Next you have to allow for tire diameter.

I have actually been thinking of doing away with the four carburetors and installing a single downdraft one, like on old Volkswagens. This might allow the engine to idle happily at a lower RPM. But the Gold Wing is said to have a fairly hot cam, so next we're regrinding that!

[Tiahaar]

Hey Elliot got a taker for your MV Goldwing motorcycle? Years ago I had a GL1000 myself, was a good bike, sold it to some guy down Ventura CA way who wanted to restore it to new and add to his collection. Mine never really liked to idle smooth until it was warm but sure accelerated well and ran strong at freeway speeds. Yup, the engines are happiest at 3-4K, not idling, will be a trick to get the gearing/clutch thing worked out for playa speeds. I'm going to motorize my old tracked thing but a GL1000 would be way too much for that

[Elliot]

It is still here. And it will remain indoors -- too good to leave outside. So no hurry. Are you sure you cannot use it on the tracked vehicle?

Indeed, they were designed to gobble up pavement at a brisk pace with a heavy load, and not slow down much on hills. But I cannot see myself scrapping it, just because it is overpowered! I really think a conversion to a small single carbonator would work. That, and a major down-gearing arrangement. For example, mount the engine sideways and use a chain drive from there. (Yes, I know, most motorcycles already have chain drive. But this shaft drive unit is what was gifted to me.) Or make a chain drive reduction between two drive shafts.