GL1000 Restoration Project

Thank you for your interest and please feel free to bookmark this page as it will be devoted to our next restoration and we are proud and very anxious to begin work on this wonderful machine.

Work on finding the very first GL1000 produced on day 1 in January of 1975 during full production will continue with all of our devoted passion. This unit however, serial number GL1-1000053, engine number GL1E-1000081 while not being the first was very close and within sight of that elusive unit called "Number 1"

First let me say that she will be restored to her original OEM state and offered for sale to anyone who would like to own this very cool unit. Our typical restorations have been priced from $7,500.00 to $8,500.00 but because of its extreme rarity, it will be priced slightly higher at $10,500.00. The new owner will be given additional "Goodies" so that his/her new purchase can be maintained properly. Additional extra items including, but not limited to, four new spark plugs, new points set, a new set of tires, engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, antifreeze and new inner tubes. The new owner can specify certain brands of the above items within reason.

So, let's begin with a few pictures of this great find in it's "as purchased" condition.

We placed her on the lift on November 14th and we expect to have her done by the end of March, 2010

053 has had the engine thoroughly gone through replacing bearings, piston rings and other components that were out of standard. It was then bench ran and placed into the frame for easy transporting to us. The next step will be to remove it once more for cosmetic clean up and re-painting.

Her wheels have been re laced with new ones and an OEM set of tires installed, again for ease of transporting but the tires will go with her.

053 will undergo a comprehensive restoration complete with as many parts that she originally was fitted with. I will post new pictures as she journeys to completion. Check back often and watch her progress.

Coming soon; some beautiful pictures of the carefully restored engine. Please check this page often.

NOTE: Many things in my life have taken place since I acquired this great machine and it has been a while since some progress has been made. I am sorry for the delay but I hope that you will find the following pictures of the engine to be worth the wait.

The remainder of the unit was disassembled down to the frame. The engine was placed on the restoration table and the work began. It was striped of all components and the engine unit was carefully prepared and then repainted. While that process was being done the water pump was restored to new condition (I restored it because it is a series 1 pump and should be a part of the finished machine), new belts, fuel pump, points assembly, hardware and other parts were collected.

After painting the external engine body, all of the finished parts were carefully installed and/or re-assembled. The results above and below are the results. I hope you like what you see.

The carb set was almost finished and I set them on the engine for this cool pic.

The carb's have been rebuilt and engine balanced/synchronized but they need a little more cosmetic work.

The support box was specifically made to locate the engine at the exact height off the bench to allow the frame to be carefully installed over the engine. We have done many GL's and learned that this is the best way to assemble the bike with minimum risk of injuring the engine or the frame during this process.

Frame on with no issues. The straps and jack will stabilize the assembly temporarily.

As you can see the placement of the frame went very well and soon the front wheel and forks will be finished and installed.

The next step was to install the steering stem, top bridge, forks assemblies and front wheel. I did this step next so that the wheel could be clamped securely onto the hoist. With the assembly secured I can now be a little more aggressive at assembling additional components. This is a lot of fun and really cool to see the unit take shape.

NOTE: This really cool motorcycle has been sold to a great guy in Minnesota. In late 2009 we settled on a delivery date and soon the new owner will come to Tennessee to see the progress first hand. April second is the date that the new owner will come again and ride her home. I have nicknamed her "Minnie" in honor of her new home state.

The carb set was finished, engine synchronized and balanced. The final restorative process was then completed then the set was placed onto the engine.

The radiator assembly was finished and installed. The new owner wanted Candy Blue Green as the preferred color. An excellent choice, don't you think?

The brake pedal unit was installed along with the swing arm assembly. Then the fuel tank was set into place attached with a single bolt.

N.O.S. OEM hoses were used on the installation of the fuel line assembly. I feel that the details of a good restoration are as important as the quality of the work.

The battery and electrical components have been set into place. The rear caliper assembly has been completely rebuilt with new stainless steel pistons. The master cylinder was rebuilt and a new hose installed.

Even with some early and unexpected set backs, Minnie is now back on schedule and it looks like she might be just a little ahead of the projected end of March timeframe.

Here is how she looks with her bright work in place. The rear wheel has been re laced and will be finished and soon, the muffler assembly will be installed and the wheel assembly will be mounted.

She looks fantastic with every piece that we add to her. The restored mufflers and exhaust pipes came out spectacular and add the final touch to the rear of this great bike.

The coils and high tension wires were installed along with the handlebars, switches, choke cable and throttle cables. The air box is finished and will be installed soon.

We added the "muffler" safety sticker to the powder coated frame and she will be returned to as close to her original condition as possible. We were fortunate in Minnies case as we were able to obtain many of her original parts. Those that we did not receive we were able to find near perfect duplicates. She will be finished soon and I am very excited to see her near the end of her restoration journey.

April 4th was a happy day as we have finished this great motorcycle. The picture above and the ones below were taken while the unit was still on the lift. We still have the final fluids to add and all of the bolts will be checked for proper tightness.

The instruments were installed the day before were the crowning touch to the front of the unit.

It was a real pleasure to restore this special Goldwing. The new owner will be able to enjoy it for a long time to come.

It is very cool that a great many of the original parts were usable in this project. The owners manual was one that survived and will be a great asset to the collect ability of this bike. Soon we will take her into the sunlight and take some full shots of her. Maybe next week she will be ready to ride on a 250 mile shakedown trip. Let's see what the weather has in store for us.

053 is finished. She has gone through a pre-check and Saturday we will ride for a shake down ride. My son in law will ride with me was very active in the restoration of this wonderful machine.

One more shot of her before we ride. The new owner will be here to pick her up next Friday. He will be riding her all the way back to Minnesota via the long way. I would love to ride a ways with him but I can only go in spirit.

NOTE: If you have any questions about (053) "Minnie", please email me here.

The copyrighted information on this page has been formulated over the past five years and is true to the best of our ability to collect it. Data, pictures, and text are the sole property of L.D.Boody and are not to be used in part or in whole for any purpose except by written permission.