It's a machine that changed the world of motorcycling forever, a bike that we've all come to know. But at its introduction at the 1974 Cologne Show, it was absolutely revolutionary, a radical example of what we know today as "thinking outside of the box." That bike? The original Honda GL™1000 Gold Wing.® 
The GL's original 999cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine featured liquid cooling, a first for a mass-produced motorcycle at a time when only exotic racing machines were liquid-cooled. The Gold Wing also featured a false fuel tank that contained electrical components and storage space, hiding its real tank under the seat, which lowered the bike's center of mass and contributed to its remarkably agile handling. Spoke aluminum rims were standard. Note the black exhaust system with chrome heat shields and tailpipes.   This machine featured both 
electric and kick start.  Only one model was offered: GL 1000 Standard Colors: Candy Red and Blue. 
Approximately 5000 were sold in the U.S. the First Year


With high performance that rivaled anything on the market, and unparalleled long-distance ability, the Gold Wing revolutionized motorcycle design and almost single-handedly created the modern age of motorcycle touring.

The GL-1000 LTD joins the unchanged standard model this year. It featured gold striping special LTD side cover badges, chromed radiator shroud and screen. To top it off gold wheels and spokes. Honda added the gold stamped GL-1000 owners manual as well. Only 2000 were imported to the US. The GL-1000  LTD came only in one color Candy Brown with the noticeable Gold Rims and Spokes. The GL-1000 Standard came in two colors Candy Red and Solid Yellow.
I wonder how many of the LTD's are still around????

Based on customer requests Honda begins to incorporate small but important refinements. The Gold Wing continues to redefine touring and is growing in popularity. Only one model this year the GL-1000 Standard and came in Black or Red.

The Gold Wing in it's fourth year. Only one model the GL-1000 Standard.  Three colors were offered Blue, Maroon and Black. A new instrument panel was placed in the center pod with fuel, voltage and coolant temperature gauges. The great kick starter is deleted this year never to return.
 

In 1979 the GL-1000 reached the peak of it's development. This was the last year the mighty Gold Wing was powered by a 999cc engine. Changes were few and minor. The brake and clutch lever were no longer chrome but black. Only one model the GL-1000 which came in Candy Burgundy, Candy Blue or Solid Black.
 

In 1979, a motorcycle manufacturing facility was opened in Marysville, Ohio. Although most of the parts still came from Japan, the Gold Wing became an American-built bike when it started rolling off the assembly line in 1980.

The competition had caught up in the latter part of the '70s and Honda answered with the GL-1100
Honda finally dresses the Gold Wing properly at the factory. This version is dubbed the "Interstate", a name that has been around pretty much from then on.

The introduction of the second-generation GL sees the standard version joined by the first turn-key tourer, the Interstate model. Both are powered by a new 1085cc engine with electronic ignition (no more points). The chassis boasts air suspension with a single-inlet equalizer system at each end, black reverse ComStar wheels, adjustable seat, and bigger tires. The Interstate sets new standards for touring with it's full fairing, saddlebags and trunk, and optional stereo.  Two models this year the GL-1100 Standard and GL-1100 Interstate. Both were offered in 
Candy Burgundy or Solid Black.

With the launch of the Yamaha Venture in 1983, Honda once again updates the Wing. Kawasaki temporarily surpasses the Wing with their Voyager. The Voyager's big 1300cc in-line six leave the Wing behind in performance. While the 1200 looks very similar to the 1100 on the outside, much has changed on the inside. The frame, wheels, suspension, engine, and almost everything else have been thoroughly redesigned and improved. Both bore and stroke are increased to bring displacement up to 1182cc. Horsepower is now up in the mid nineties and wet weight on a fully-dressed Aspencade is 790lbs.
1984 also marks the last year you can buy a Wing undressed.  Unless you want to call the Valkyrie a Gold Wing undress and on steroids.  The Valkyrie was introduced in 1997.

This year sees the Wing once again rewrite the rules for touring, with the 
all-new GL-1200s. All three models are motivated by a new, 1182cc engine 
with hydraulic valve adjustment, and a redesigned chassis sports a 16-inch 
front wheel for steering lightness and precision previously unseen in the 
class. The Aspencade distinguishes itself from the Interstate with LCD 
instruments and special rear light bar, 3-piece removable soft luggage, as 
well as a new Type III audio system that combines AM/FM radio bands, 
cassette and intercom.

 In the past Honda had been keeping up with the competitors when they made changes. By 1988, there wasn't much competition left. The GL-1500 was the result of what Honda wanted to do, not what they had to. Two more cylinders give the bike 1520cc of displacement. It's almost 9 feet long and weighs in wet at more than 850lbs. And it has a first for a Honda - reverse!

Honda ups the ante again with the ultimate touring bike, the 
fourth-generation GoldWing GL-1500 six-cylinder. The 1520cc six, sets 
fresh standards of smoothness, silence and power for the class, while an 
all-new chassis redefines the limits of handling and comfort. A 
unique-to-motor-cycling *reverse gear* and single-key operation of the 
saddlebags and trunk lids offer unparalleled convenience. For your 
listening pleasure, this GoldWing features a 24-watt am/fm stereo cassette 
system with integrated intercom and the bag liners are still an important 
luxury feature.

The GL-1500 SE model joins the family. The SE sports a special two tone Pearl White paint, upgraded full logic sound system. A special rear trunk spoiler with running/brake lights. Even adjustable passenger foot rests. The other model this year the GL-1500 Standard came in Wineberry Red and Light Metallic Blue. The GL-1500 SE has become the Flag Ship of the Touring Bike World which others are trying to emulate.

Honda continues the refinement on the Gold Wing which defines the touring class. Three models were offered The GL-1500 Interstate and Aspencade colors offered for both Candy Red, Pearl, Dark Teal and Black. Also the Flag Ship of the touring world the GL-1500 SE offered in Pearl Green two tone, Pearl Teal, 
two tone and Candy Red two tone.

Honda celebrates two decades of touring excellence with the 20th 
Anniversary GoldWings. The Interstate, Aspencade and SE are all 
distinguished by commemorative gold trim, a distinctive new headlight 
signature, and other styling treatments. Beneath the surface, the GoldWing 
also boast a lower seat height and sporty new suspension that offers even 
greater agility while maintaining the Wing's legendary ride comfort.


2000
25 Years of the Gold WIng

Honda celebrates twenty-five years of touring excellence.  No real changes this year.  Wing Riders are still waiting for major improvements.  What can they improve on the worlds best touring bike.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model:	2000 GL™1500SE -- 25th Anniversary Edition
Engine Type:	1520cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed 6-cylinder
Bore and Stroke:	71mm x 64mm
Compression Ratio:	9.8:1
Valve Train:	SOHC; 2 valves per cylinder
Carburetion:	Two 36mm diaphragm-type CV
Ignition:	Solid-state digital
Transmission:	5-speed including overdrive and reverse
Final Drive:	Shaft
Front Suspension:	41mm fork with TRAC; 5.5 inches travel
Rear Suspension:	Dual shocks with air-assist; 4.1 inches travel
Front Brakes:	Dual disc with twin-piston calipers
Rear Brake:	Single disc with twin-piston caliper
Front Tire:	130/70H-18
Rear Tire:	160/80H-16
Seat Height:	29.1 inches
Wheel Base:	66.5 inches
Dry Weight:	815.7 pounds
Fuel Capacity:	6.3 gallons
Colors:	Candy Red/Candy Dark Red, Pearl White/Pearl Gray Green, *Pearl Blue/Pearl Dark Blue.*Black†

2001
Honda does it Again

          

Honda's all-new 2001 Gold Wing shatters traditional touring standards with world-class power, athletic handling and supreme comfort. A powerful new 1832cc six-cylinder engine produces 118 bhp with 125 lbs/ft of torque. The new, lighter weight Gold Wing also boasts sport-like handling, thanks to an aluminum dual-spar frame, Pro-Arm® single sided swing arm, Linked Braking System (LBS) and optional Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS). The Gold Wing features a host of high-tech features including electronic cruise control, adjustable hydraulic rear suspension, and optional 6-CD disc changer.  The new Gold Wing redefines what long distance motorcycle travel is all about.

SPECIFICATIONS
Model:	2001 GL™1800
Engine Type:	1832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder
Bore and Stroke:	74.0mm x 71.0mm
Compression Ratio:	9.8:1
Valve Train:	SOHC; two valves per cylinder
Carburetion:	Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic choke
Ignition:	Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping
Transmission:	Five-speed including overdrive, plus electric reverse
Final Drive:	Shaft
Front Suspension:	45mm fork with anti-dive system, 5.5-inch travel
Rear Suspension:	Pro-Arm® single-sided swingarm with Pro-Link®; electronically controlled spring-preload adjustment with two memory presets; 4.1-inch travel
Front Brakes:	Dual full-floating 296mm discs with LBS™ three-piston calipers
Rear Brake:	Single ventilated 316mm disc with LBS™ three-piston caliper (ABS model available)
Front Tire:	130/70R-18
Rear Tire:	180/60R-16
Wheelbase:	66.6 inches
Rake (Caster Angle):	29.25 degrees
Trail:	109mm (4.3 inches)
Seat Height:	29.1 inches
Dry Weight:	792.0 pounds (ABS model 799.0 pounds)
Fuel Capacity:	6.6 gallons
Colors:	Pearl Blue, Pearl Yellow, Black, Illusion Red*

The X-Wing
Could this be the next Wing
For more information check out these page
The X-Wing Page 

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