Turning an outdated 1984 Honda Goldwing 1200 into one thing new takes quite a lot of time, planning, and hands-on work. They began by shopping for the bike for a low value and commenced stripping away additional elements just like the entrance fairing, saddlebags, and outdated lights. Every step introduced new concepts, comparable to including a contemporary spherical headlight and {custom} LED tail lights.
Mechanical repairs and updates adopted, with consideration to necessities like air filters, spark plugs, and brake fixes. The mission additionally included customizing the seat, transforming the sprint and speedometer, and making artistic adjustments for a clear look. Each activity meant figuring issues out alongside the best way, resulting in a singular and contemporary tackle this basic motorbike.
Key Takeaways
- The mission started with a full teardown and inventive imaginative and prescient.
- Mechanical and styling upgrades have been executed step-by-step.
- Customized options and repairs turned the Goldwing into one thing particular.
Undertaking Overview
Shopping for the Bike and Managing Prices
The mission began with a 1984 Honda Goldwing 1200, bought for $400. The proprietor set a transparent plan to maintain prices low by eradicating pointless elements and reusing or updating what was wanted. Some important replacements included the air filter, oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and seat.
A desk beneath lists the most important bills as described:
| Merchandise | Standing |
|---|---|
| Honda Goldwing 1200 | Bought |
| Air Filter | On order |
| Oil & Oil Filter | Changed |
| Spark Plugs | Changed quickly |
| Seat | Substitute, modified |
| Headlight | New, ordered |
| Taillight | New, ordered |
He aimed to solely spend cash on an important elements and made modifications when he might as an alternative of shopping for new.
Objectives and Plans for the Goldwing
The primary aim was to strip down the motorbike and construct one thing {custom}, eradicating the entrance fairing, saddlebags, and outdated lighting. Plans included:
- Putting in a spherical 7-inch headlight with built-in blinkers
- Including an LED strip taillight with built-in blinkers
- Modifying the seat for a brand new form and decrease profile
- Remodeling the sprint and wiring for a cleaner look
- Testing alternative ways to dam off and cap outdated parts
- Customizing the speedometer and mounting it in a brand new means
- Enhancing the brakes by making an attempt a distinct caliper setup
The mission took a trial-and-error strategy so adjustments and new concepts occurred because the work progressed. Every step targeted on making the bike lighter, extra compact, and tailor-made to the proprietor’s preferences.
Key plans have been dealt with as they got here up, and fixing or changing damaged elements was a part of the method. The imaginative and prescient remained clear: flip the outdated Goldwing into a singular and easy journey.
Breaking Down the Goldwing
Taking Off the Entrance and Additional Elements
First, the entrance fairing, aspect covers, and all storage baggage have been eliminated. The unique lights and many of the wiring have been pulled off rigorously. An inventory of what was taken aside:
| Eliminated Elements | Notes |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fairing | Changed with a brand new spherical 7-inch headlight |
| Aspect Covers | Uncovered a lot of the body |
| Saddlebags | Cleared out for a cleaner look |
| Additional Lights | Making ready for brand spanking new LED strips |
| Airbox and Sprint Panel | Put aside for repairs and upgrades |
The air filter was lacking, so a brand new one obtained ordered. The exhaust was rusted and wanted changing, which matched the plan to chop and simplify the exhaust.
The seat noticed some main adjustments. Chopping away additional foam and shaping it for a decrease, slimmer really feel. The plan included rounding off the corners and trimming any additional bulk for a extra fundamental look.
Washing Up and First Look
After many of the massive items have been gone, it was time to wash the bike. A contemporary wash revealed how a lot totally different the Goldwing seemed with its naked body. The group checked which wires have been nonetheless wanted for the brand new lights and sprint.
A brand new headlight was put in, and concepts for the brand new seat and windshield began coming collectively. Some adjustments within the wiring meant quite a lot of leftover cables, which wanted to be hidden. Cardboard templates helped think about new covers and brackets earlier than making them from metallic.
The brand new form of the bike began to point out. With the entrance cleared up and additional weight gone, plans have been made for a smaller sprint and up to date speedometer. Every change made the bike look much less like a touring bike and extra like a {custom} construct.
Fixing Engine Necessities and Upgrading Elements
Altering Filters and Contemporary Oil
He began by eradicating the outdated airbox. After checking, it was clear the bike wanted a brand new air filter. The unique filter was lacking, so he ordered a alternative. Utilizing new oil and a clear oil filter, he made certain the engine had what it wanted for easy working.
A easy upkeep guidelines he adopted:
- Take away outdated airbox
- Test for lacking or soiled air filter
- Substitute with new air filter
- Drain outdated oil
- Set up contemporary oil filter
- Add clear engine oil
Common oil and filter adjustments assist the engine last more and work higher.
Changing Spark Plugs and Dealing With the Exhaust
He put in new spark plugs to maintain the engine firing robust. Whereas wanting over the exhaust, he discovered that it had rusted by and damaged off. Though this was sudden, it occurred to be near the place he deliberate to chop the pipe anyway.
Fast exhaust replace:
- Previous exhaust rusted off by itself
- Good timing for making {custom} adjustments
- No want for additional reducing instruments right here
Putting in new spark plugs and fixing up the exhaust make an enormous distinction in energy and sound.
Brake Work within the Rear and Planning for Twin Calipers
There have been issues with how mushy the rear brake felt. He suspected a leak alongside the road to the entrance caliper. To make issues work safely, he deliberate to dam off the entrance caliper in the interim.
He is considering switching to a twin caliper setup for the entrance brakes later, which is a technique utilized in off-road bikes and four-wheelers. For now, the primary focus is on ensuring the rear brake works because it ought to so the bike is protected to journey.
Brake plans:
| Downside | Step Taken | Future Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Rear brake spongy | Blocked entrance caliper | Add twin entrance calipers later |
| Suspected leak | Test brake strains | Full system test after repairs |
Fixing the brakes is a crucial security step earlier than placing any miles on the bike.
Upgrading Lights and Wiring
Putting in New Entrance and Rear Lights
The unique lights and hulking fairings have been eliminated to provide a cleaner look. A brand new 7-inch spherical headlamp was chosen for the entrance, offering a easy, trendy replace. This new headlight is about as much as deal with built-in flip alerts for a streamlined end. On the again, a skinny LED strip was added to function each a tail mild and switch indicators. The rear fender was trimmed to suit the brand new model and permit a extra {custom} match for the lighting strip.
| Gentle | Sort | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Headlight | Spherical, 7-in | Entrance middle |
| Tail Gentle | LED Strip | Rear, trimmed fender |
Updating Flashers and Foremost Wiring
With the unique wiring harness uncovered, unused connections—like these for the radio—have been tagged and omitted. The wiring for the flip alerts was recognized and routed to the brand new lights. Every blinker wire was linked with consideration to unique labeling and checked earlier than closing set up. Bunched wiring was organized and tucked away in a storage space underneath the seat to maintain the setup tidy.
- Superfluous wiring (radio, compressor) eliminated or minimize
- Blinker and fundamental wiring linked on to new lights
- Zip ties and storage field used to maintain free wires managed
Connecting Flip Alerts and Instrument Show
After eradicating the inventory sprint, the indicator lights and sprint electronics have been examined for operate. The plan was to mount the show nearer to the motive force, utilizing a part of the unique housing. Customized aspect panels have been created for a clear show set up. Solely important indicators, such because the oil mild and switch alerts, have been saved lively. Mounting options for the brand new show included an aluminum plate with a custom-cut slot for the ignition key.
Particulars on sprint and indicator integration:
- Sprint cluster eliminated and customised
- Solely vital indicator lights connected
- Aluminum mounting plate fabricated
The main focus was at all times on clear wiring, dependable operate, and a minimal, basic look.
Altering the Seat
First Steps with the Seat
The very first thing executed was eradicating the outdated seat from the bike. It wanted adjustments to match the brand new appear and feel. Elements of the seat have been marked for reducing. The plan was to trim the seat so it could match higher and canopy solely what was wanted.
A cardboard template was used to assist see how new elements might match. This helped determine the place to maintain or take away materials.
Smoothing and Shaping the Cushion
Subsequent, additional padding and raised areas have been minimize away. The seat was trimmed alongside marked strains to decrease the peak in sure spots. Corners have been rounded off and the perimeters have been smoothed out to make the seat match higher with the remainder of the bike.
Some “ears” on the seat have been minimize off as a part of this step. After tough shaping, finer cuts and sanding made the seat look cleaner.
Setting and Adjusting the Seat
To place the seat again on the bike, it was test-fitted a number of instances. Every time, small changes have been made so it could line up with the shocks and body.
Plans have been made to make use of metallic plates for mounting. The seat is now set as much as each look good and keep agency in place whereas using.
Key changes made have been:
- Ensuring the seat covers vital elements
- Lining up with present mounting factors
- Trimming the perimeters for a greater match with the bike’s body
Customized Constructing Steps and Energy Enhancements
Steel Sheets and Windshield Concepts
Sheet metallic performed a key function on this mission. The fabricator modeled shapes utilizing cardboard first, then deliberate to exchange these with sheet metallic. One thought was to create a curved wind deflector or windshield across the new headlight. This is able to assist block the wind whereas maintaining the look easy and tidy.
Right here’s a fast abstract:
| Element | Materials | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Sheet Steel | Block wind, easy look |
| Mockup | Cardboard | Check shapes and match |
Finish Caps and Fender Changes
Sure bike elements had open or tough edges after stripping down the bodywork. To repair this, the builder experimented with capping the ends utilizing {custom} plates. The rear fender additionally wanted trimming for a cleaner model. He thought of reducing and shaping the seat to raised match the brand new look and expose vital body elements, whereas nonetheless overlaying needed sections.
Listing of key adjustments:
- Capped uncovered ends with flat plates.
- Trimmed rear fender for a smoother end.
- Reduce, reshaped, and slimmed down the seat to match new design.
Hiding Storage Areas and Routing Wiring
With the physique panels eliminated, leftover wires grew to become extra seen. The builder organized wiring utilizing tags to establish every operate (for instance, headlights, blinkers, and sprint connections). To maintain issues neat, he deliberate to tuck extra wires into hidden storage spots and use zip ties for momentary fixes.
Further steps included:
- Organizing wires into labeled bundles.
- Hiding wiring inside new storage areas.
- Concealing litter with out sacrificing quick access.
Speedometer and Dashboard Makeover
Taking Aside the Previous Setup
First, the unique dashboard and speedometer housing have been eliminated. Wires for the outdated radio, flip alerts, and different gauges have been labeled to maintain issues organized. The primary aim was to strip away additional elements so solely the important capabilities remained.
A cautious teardown uncovered the within of the housing. The speedometer itself was separated, and the cracked plastic cowl was discarded. The outdated wiring created quite a lot of litter, so unused wires have been tucked away or deliberate for elimination.
Constructing a New Speedometer Holder
A {custom} holder for the speedometer was designed utilizing cardboard as a mock-up. After testing the dimensions and form, the mock-up was transferred to extra sturdy materials. The perimeters of the brand new housing have been glued in place and later sanded easy.
To safe the brand new speedometer, an aluminum plate was used. Holes have been minimize for the ignition key and for mounting factors. The completed plate would let the speedometer and ignition match neatly into their new positions.
Supplies Used:
- Cardboard (for modeling)
- Sheet metallic or aluminum (for the ultimate mount)
- Glue and zip ties
- Sandpaper
Making the Dashboard Match the New Look
The brand new dashboard design wanted to mix in with the {custom} headlight and structure. Plans included trimming off massive sections and including a flat sheet or wind block in entrance. The dashboard sides have been rounded, and the sides have been formed to match the remainder of the bike.
Unused indicator lights have been eliminated or changed with a easy oil warning and switch sign lights. Wires have been hidden in a small compartment to maintain the world neat. The tip aim was a clear look with solely essentially the most needed gauges and lights left seen.
Key Visible Adjustments:
- Smoothed and painted new housing
- Fewer switches and lights
- Hidden wiring for a tidy look
Wrapping Up the Construct and What Comes Subsequent
Putting in the Entrance Gentle and Wind Deflector
A brand new 7-inch spherical entrance mild was chosen to exchange the unique headlight. The up to date mild is designed to incorporate blinker capabilities, making the setup cleaner and fewer cluttered. The present stage entails adjusting the fitment of this new headlight, making an attempt to tuck it again for a greater look.
There may be nonetheless some uncertainty concerning the wind deflector design. Preliminary concepts concerned shaping sheet metallic or utilizing a curved setup to assist block the wind across the new mild. Prototypes have been made with cardboard to visualise choices, however the closing form and mounting technique are nonetheless underneath overview. Choices like trimming down massive sections or switching to a flatter plate are being thought of.
Right here’s a fast breakdown of what’s put in and what’s nonetheless being examined:
| Element | Standing | Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch headlight | Slot in progress | Searching for a tighter match |
| Windshield idea | In design part | Cardboard fashions examined |
| Blinker wiring | Prepared | Blinker wires recognized |
Transferring Ahead and Ongoing Points
Some elements of the mission are ready on new concepts or elements. The seat has gone by the primary spherical of trimming and reshaping, however nonetheless wants extra work for a cleaner profile. The plan is to maintain reducing and shaping the froth and edges till it suits as needed.
Free wiring is one other space that wants consideration. Whereas practical connections are made, the additional wires are messy. A small cupboard space subsequent to the sprint will doubtless be used to cover and arrange these. Different sprint elements, just like the speedometer and indicator lights, are being mounted with new brackets and aluminum help shapes.
Unsolved issues embrace:
- Deciding on the ultimate wind deflector form
- Easy methods to cap off open ends after reducing the body
- Completely mounting the reworked dashboard
- Managing and hiding additional wiring for a neat look
The work will proceed step-by-step, refining every half as new concepts and challenges come up.
