Restoring History: 1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing

By Richard Backus And Pete Boody
Published on June 14, 2016
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1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
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1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
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1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
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1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
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Faux gas tank was an ingenious solution, making the GL1000 look like a “regular” motorcycle. It housed the GL’s electrics and coolant overflow tank; the real gas tank was under the seat.
Faux gas tank was an ingenious solution, making the GL1000 look like a “regular” motorcycle. It housed the GL’s electrics and coolant overflow tank; the real gas tank was under the seat.
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Faux gas tank was an ingenious solution, making the GL1000 look like a “regular” motorcycle. It housed the GL’s electrics and coolant overflow tank; the real gas tank was under the seat.
Faux gas tank was an ingenious solution, making the GL1000 look like a “regular” motorcycle. It housed the GL’s electrics and coolant overflow tank; the real gas tank was under the seat.
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Honda made sure you knew the GL1000 was water-cooled; the prototype GL’s car-like engine used Honda N-600 carburetors.
Honda made sure you knew the GL1000 was water-cooled; the prototype GL’s car-like engine used Honda N-600 carburetors.
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Prototype’s water pump cover is unique from production bike
Prototype’s water pump cover is unique from production bike
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Honda made sure you knew the GL1000 was water-cooled; the prototype GL’s car-like engine used Honda N-600 carburetors.
Honda made sure you knew the GL1000 was water-cooled; the prototype GL’s car-like engine used Honda N-600 carburetors.
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Honda GL1000 covered storage bin.
Honda GL1000 covered storage bin.
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Unique among the 10 prototypes built, GL1-1000002 was the only one painted Sulfur Yellow, a color not offered until 1976, the second year of GL1000 production.
Unique among the 10 prototypes built, GL1-1000002 was the only one painted Sulfur Yellow, a color not offered until 1976, the second year of GL1000 production.
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A 6-cylinder engine was originally considered for the GL1000, as this early design mock-up shows.
A 6-cylinder engine was originally considered for the GL1000, as this early design mock-up shows.

1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
Engine:
999cc liquid-cooled SOHC horizontally opposed four, 72mm x 61.4mm bore and stroke, 9.2:1 compression ratio, 80hp @ 7,500rpm
Top speed:
129mph (period test/production bike)
Carburetion:
Four 32mm Keihin CV
Transmission:
5-speed, shaft final drive
Weight (wet):
650lb (295kg)

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