24th Jun, 2006 0:00
National Motorcycle Museum
1979 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
Estimated at £2,800 - £3,400
Lot details
Registration No: WDN495V
Frame No: GL14117135
Engine No: GLIE4117212
cc: 1000
When Honda announced the horizontally opposed, four cylinder Gold Wing in 1974 it created a combination of awe at its technically advanced specification and confusion as to its projected place in the market. The power output of the machine suggested a sports biased motorcycle, but the weight, shaft drive and complexity implied that it was aimed at the touring market. Honda had no doubt as to the Gold Wing's role, it was a grand touring machine of huge ability which became apparent when the magazine testers were able to ride it. The Gold Wing quite simply rewrote the rules concerning touring motorcycles.
The 1978 GL1000 KZ was the first revision to be seen, adopting alloy "comstar" wheels in place of the original's spoked items, smaller carburettors and softer valve timing aimed at improving low and midrange power, revised suspension and an improved seat.
We are advised by the vendor this example was purchased by the previous owner in 1991 with a very low recorded mileage to form part of his private Honda collection. During 1998 it underwent a major restoration carried out by Steve Dale Motorcycles, a superbike specialist based in Steeton, West Yorkshire. The owner placed no restrictions on the restoration resulting in over £6000 being expended. It then returned to the private collection, being ridden occasionally and maintained in roadworthy condition. The only known deviations from the original specification are, according to the vendor, a replacement exhaust system and rear shock absorbers.
Registration No: WDN495V
Frame No: GL14117135
Engine No: GLIE4117212
cc: 1000
When Honda announced the horizontally opposed, four cylinder Gold Wing in 1974 it created a combination of awe at its technically advanced specification and confusion as to its projected place in the market. The power output of the machine suggested a sports biased motorcycle, but the weight, shaft drive and complexity implied that it was aimed at the touring market. Honda had no doubt as to the Gold Wing's role, it was a grand touring machine of huge ability which became apparent when the magazine testers were able to ride it. The Gold Wing quite simply rewrote the rules concerning touring motorcycles.
The 1978 GL1000 KZ was the first revision to be seen, adopting alloy "comstar" wheels in place of the original's spoked items, smaller carburettors and softer valve timing aimed at improving low and midrange power, revised suspension and an improved seat.
We are advised by the vendor this example was purchased by the previous owner in 1991 with a very low recorded mileage to form part of his private Honda collection. During 1998 it underwent a major restoration carried out by Steve Dale Motorcycles, a superbike specialist based in Steeton, West Yorkshire. The owner placed no restrictions on the restoration resulting in over £6000 being expended. It then returned to the private collection, being ridden occasionally and maintained in roadworthy condition. The only known deviations from the original specification are, according to the vendor, a replacement exhaust system and rear shock absorbers.
Auction: National Motorcycle Museum, 24th Jun, 2006
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