The Bagobones 1980 GL1100

[bagobones]

Pimped out Goldwings with all kinds of crappy chrome and add-on lights make me ill. I took a different angle with this bike. When I bought it, it didn't run at all and nothing worked right. I had to remove several dozen feet of excess wiring from all the Christmas tree crap lighting on it (some of it was speaker wire). Now I have done so many things to it I can't even recall all of it.

It was originally an Interstate model, complete with fairing and radio and all that. Removing the fairing was a major undertaking. With the radio and the counterweight and all of the brackets, I think the bike weighed about 50 lbs. less after it was all gone. Major rewiring followed, and the headlamp and turn signals (from a Harley) are all custom. I removed all of the plastic connectors in the harness and soldered everything together. The lighting is all LED to keep the stator healthy. I ditched the original gauges for a chopper effect. No indicator lights, no gas gauge, no altimeter or thermometer. No radio for God's sake.

I do have a removable plexi-fairing for those long trips or colder temps. I also use the rear trunk from time to time. I love the convertible factor of this bike. It goes from hard-bag cruiser to tourer in a few minutes. I ride it everywhere and in all kinds of weather. It has taken me from Chicago to Daytona and back without a hiccup.  I recently did a trip through scenic central Kentucky with no troubles at all. I would get on it today and ride anywhere (just give me a reason).

It gets some interesting reactions from other riders, particularly Harley guys who used to own a Goldwing (or still do). And no, you won't see me hanging out with the old guys at the McDonalds on Geezerwing night. I also don't ride in flip-flops and shorts and I'm not overweight. My riding gear cost me more than I paid for the bike originally. I guess that takes care of all the Goldwing rider stereotypes.

It has been an awesome ride, and has never ever let me down once. It now has just short of 75K miles.

[bagobones]

more pics

[bagobones]

one more

[bagobones]

last one. sorry.

[CustomMagna]

You really brought that thing to life. It looks like a new retro bike. I like the mat finish.

[mrbones]

That thing is bad ass! It's the best looking Goldwing I think I've ever seen. Really. Perfect.

[mrbones]

I just heard the Anti-wing just blew it's motor at 80,0000 miles. It is a sad day.  

[dt]

Bummer. 

[scubasmith]

  That bike is really cool. What a great job! I know that was a ton of work and it is really something special.

[dt]

Speaking of the ‘wing, what’s the update on that?


p.s.   welcome to the Forum scubasmith! 

[mrbones]

Where's the Bag? He must working a lot.

He bought an '82 I think for an engine. It had 30k miles on it. The frame was in so much better shape, he simply transferred all his good stuff over to the new bike, and thus, scrapping the old one. The new bike was $900 and he has made $400 back already selling some parts on ebay.

Below is the new bike coming home on the trailer. The last is the old bike in pieces. I haven't seen what the final bike looks like, but it's rideable.

[dt]

Where's the Bag?

 

[bagobones]

The BAG is back.

That picture of the bike on the jack is what is left of the original bike - not much.

The new bike is an '81 with 30K on it. The frame looked almost new, and it had a spotless JAMA aftermarket exhaust on it as well as progressive suspension air shocks. It was easier to just swap over the good stuff from the dead bike onto this one. There is even less of the bike left now, as I used the rear master cylinder for a rebuild on the new bike, and gave the heavy-ass handlebars to a buddy with an 80's Suzuki 500. His bike is much cooler now with out those dumb curvy bars. UGH!


Here is a quick overview of the project:

removed from new bike...

fairing and brackets
engine guards
worn out markland floorboards
saddlebags
tank cover
melted spark units
entire front end (except trees)
front brake cylinder
seat
rear lighted pimp bumper with MUDFLAP
frozen gummed-up carbs

swapped over from old bike:

head covers
entire painted body kit: tank, bags, fenders
front end with wheel, sportbike brakes, and forks
rear caliper
floorboards with shifter
seat
good spark units
spin-on oil conversion
good clean running carbs
K&N air filter
rear brake pedal


then, had to rewire front end and back end to accommodate removal of fairing and brake light flash box.. soldered all connections as always. changed coolant, and oil.

Bike runs GREAT!  But still need to:  change rear drive oil, rebuild rear caliper, swap timing belt covers.

All told, about 25 hours of labor into it so far. Got her up and running in less than two weeks on sheer will power and diet mountain dew.

Here is the first picture of it.

[bagobones]

I took the heads off of the old bike. Maybe you guys can take a look and tell me what you think happened?


left side head

[bagobones]

right side head

[bagobones]

I was doing about 70 on I-55 smoke started to come from under the false tank-as if the carbs were smoking (I know they weren't it just seemed like it). thought;  "Shit,  smoke isn't supposed to come from there"....Then she started to rattle as if rocks had been poured n the engine. AWFUL sound! turned it off, coasted to a stop....pondered my fate... dumped some oil in the fill hole, and started it again.....Got up to about 40...35....30....WHACK....DAT>>>DAT>>>DAT>>>DATT........turned her off......coasted to a stop. ...  all she wrote.

Maybe right head gasket?  Crank bearings?  I'm not taking out the engine for a complete autopsy - it weighs 350 lbs.

The new bike is so much tighter in every way. In hindsight, the old engine always had a clatter and rattle to it that this newer one does not. Who knows for sure how many miles were ACTUALLY on it. speedometers can always be changed.....

All is well that ends well, though. The new ride is MUCH better! And I have made back $400 of the $800 I spent on it already just hocking parts.

More pictures soon!

[mrbones]

Glad it's back together. The heads look normal. What about the piston and cylinders?

[dt]

Looks great Bags! Also looks like it was a ton of work. 350 pound engine...yeoow! Anyway, you're back in action and that's what counts. 

[niteman]

Man, I have to say...that is definitely the sweetest goldwing I have ever seen. Makes me want to consider taking a whack at an old 'wing myself. Sweet job man!

[bagobones]

Aw, shucks!

[bagobones]

Here are a couple of cool shots of me riding "The Tail of the Dragon" in the Smoky Mountains back in August. There are photographers along the route that catch you in action and then you can buy the photos online. It's kinda cheesy that they do that, but they are really good photos and how many of us have shots of ourselves actually riding - let alone riding one the great Motorcycling roads in the entire world. It's pretty smart, actually.

These are from Killboy.com.

This was just about a week before this Goldwing died on me, and I had to buy another like it with a fresher engine, and swap all my goodies over onto it. A buddy of mine joked that my bike "saw Nirvana, and then went to Heaven" . Funny!

This trip was the ride of a lifetime, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves to ride. DO IT!

Bag

[bagobones]

.

[dt]

Cool photos. I've reviewed photos on Killboy. Didn't know that's what they do, but I agree. Great idea!

[mrbones]

Cool action photos!