Thanks for that Allen!
-Joey
On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Allen Thomas <[email protected]> wrote:
> Here is an interesting article about Pops Yoshimura's racing GS1000. As well
> as some history about him.
> http://slcelectronics.com/GS1000_Build/Yoshimura-specs.pdf
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 4:43 PM, surfswab <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Having said all that about it's focus on touring, I don't mean to
>> imply that the GL1000 it was a slouch in the performance department.
>>
>> It was also imminently hot roddable (with a bucket full of money, and
>> the inclination).
>>
>> Witness this one:
>>
>> http://www.randakks.com/Randakk's%20Endurance%20Special.htm
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 5, 9:27 am, surfswab <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > No, you're correct. In my opinion, that's where Honda outfoxed the
>> > competition, marketing-wise. Kawasaki had its litre bike, the
>> > KZ1000. Suzuki drastically and quickly upgraded its 750 to the GS1000
>> > in-line four to compete with the other two, in what was thought to be
>> > a race to produce the biggest, baddest road burners available -- to be
>> > the fustest, wit' da mostest (!)
>> >
>> > But that was not what Honda was all about with the Goldwing. It was a
>> > tourer, plain and simple. Opposed four boxer engine, like the BMW,
>> > low center of gravity, lots of torque, nimble handling and all around
>> > comfort. Just the thing for two-up riding over hill and dale in a
>> > relaxed, but still powerful fashion. Kinda like a two-wheeled Buick.
>> >
>> > Honda never intended it for stoplight drags and never touted it as
>> > such. In fact, the original speedo's numbers only reach to 85 mph.
>> >
>> > They just kept refining the touring/comfort idea and carved out a
>> > niche that has appealed to a lotta folks.
>> >
>> > On Jun 5, 8:28 am, Joey Kelley <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > > Thanks for the history lesson!
>> > > What I never understood - I look at my GS1000 (1978) and I
>> > > see a bike that is unfortunately vastly inferior to the Wings of even
>> > > the early 80s. What I guess I failed to remember was that this bike
>> > > was brought out as a competitor to the 1975 era GL and shouldn't be
>> > > compared to a model that wasn't even out yet.
>> > > In many ways the GS1000 and the GL1000s are the same - add
>> > > on touring parts etc. What I think is the biggest difference - the
>> > > GS1000 advertisement I have talks about its drag racing ability - 0-60
>> > > time, Quarter mile ET, etc. Somehow I don't see Honda using that sort
>> > > of information to sell Wings.
>> > > Am I all wet?
>> > > -Joey
>> >
>> > > On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 12:29 AM, surfswab <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > > > Not sure what the question is, but here's what I know about early
>> > > > Wings:
>> >
>> > > > The 75 GL1000 was a brand spanky new design category, unique in that
>> > > > it
>> > > > was designed from the ground up as a tourer (heavy, torquey,
>> > > > comfortable).
>> >
>> > > > Its success started a trend which spawned similar designs from other
>> > > > manufacturers. So yes, your GS competed with it, in much the same
>> > > > way
>> > > > as
>> > > > categories of bikes from different manufacturers do today.
>> >
>> > > > The bike in the picture is a "naked wing" as they all were from
>> > > > 75-79. But it's
>> > > > fitted with aftermarket bags, trunk and fairing (mostly by Vetter).
>> > > > Honda didn't
>> > > > start making proprietary accessories until '79, when they offered
>> > > > optional
>> > > > Hondaline saddlebags and a trunk (but no fairing). The first model
>> > > > refinement
>> > > > was in '80 when they tweaked the motor to 1100 and offered a
>> > > > factory-
>> > > > equipped
>> > > > model -- the Interstate -- with integral bags, trunk and fairing.
>> > > > They continued the
>> > > > naked wing, but with the new 1100 motor, simultaneously, calling it
>> > > > the Standard,
>> > > > until '82.
>> >
>> > > > In '83, they upped the ante on the tweaking process -- 1200 motor,
>> > > > slicker plastics, and
>> > > > state-of-the-art (for the time) audio gear. And they've been doing
>> > > > that ever since.
>> >
>> > > >> We've discussed 80s wings numerous times on here - but I
>> > > >> don't
>> > > >> recall many discussions about the mid to late 70s
>> > > >> versions.http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/3056560899.html
>> > > >> The irony is - I went by that one and wondered if it was
>> > > >> for sale :-)
>> > > >> Here is the thing - I'm looking at the picture and well -
>> > > >> frankly - I'm wondering if this is the bike my GS-1000 is supposed
>> > > >> to
>> > > >> be a competitor to. The shocks on the rear look tiny and the design
>> > > >> is
>> > > >> very close, particularly with a Windjammer or rebranded Windjammer
>> > > >> fairing on it.
>> > > >> Thoughts?
>> > > >> -Joey
>> >
>> > > >> --
>> > > >> -Joey Kelley
>> > > >> JoeyKelley.com - My Life Online
>> > > >> JoeyFixesComputers.com - Its What I Do!
>> > > >> JoeyKelleyPhoto.com - Photographing Today, For Tomorrow
>> >
>> > > > --
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>> > > > To post to this group, send email to
>> > > > [email protected].
>> > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>> > > > [email protected].
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>> > > > athttp://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
>> >
>> > > --
>> > > -Joey Kelley
>> > > JoeyKelley.com - My Life Online
>> > > JoeyFixesComputers.com - Its What I Do!
>> > > JoeyKelleyPhoto.com - Photographing Today, For Tomorrow
>>
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>
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-Joey Kelley
JoeyKelley.com - My Life Online
JoeyFixesComputers.com - Its What I Do!
JoeyKelleyPhoto.com - Photographing Today, For Tomorrow
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