Honda GL1000
After showing the world what it could do with the CB750 in 1969, Honda was ready to do it again in 1975. When the GL1000 Gold Wing arrived that year, Honda had become a leader in motorcycle technology.
The GL1000 is powered by a water-cooled opposed four (flat four) engine that displaces 999cc. The GL1000 came equipped with shaft drive, as opposed to being chain driven. This adds a level of smoothness, and reduces maintenance. Most motorcycles made (by other companies) up to that point used a gas tank mounted in front of the rider, on top of the "backbone" of the bike. The GL1000 had a "faux" tank, that was nothing more than a cover for the electronics, and a housing for the air filter. The real tank was located between the two side covers for a lower center of gravity.
The bare-bones version at 265 kg (584 pounds) was often dressed up with a fairing, saddlebags, luggage rack and box to increase the weight even more.
In the first five years of production, Honda sold almost 100,000 copies. The original Gold Wing has since grown to a 1100cc then 1200cc then 1500cc (six-cylinder) and then 1800cc with a talk of a 2000cc in the future.
In 1976, Honda sold a limited run of special GL1000s, badged as the GL1000 LTD. The LTD wasn't any different mechanically from the standard GL1000's. It featured gold pin striping, special LTD side cover badges, a chromed radiator guard and screen, a quilt patterned seat, gold anodized spoked wheels, a gold stamped GL1000 owners manual, and a leather key case. The LTD's fender is also slightly flared.
The 1975-1977 GL1000 engines had electric start, with a kick starter as a backup. The kick starter is geared very well, and actually doesn't require "kicking". The engine can be started using the "kick start" lever, using one's hand.
The 1978 model GL1000 added a small instrument panel to the top of the faux gas tank (where there was previously only a fuel gauge). The new gauge cluster included a voltage meter, and coolant temperature (which was previously on the tachometer). The exhaust was also changed to a chromed pipe with mufflers, as opposed to the "horseshoe" muffler design of the 75-77.
The 1979 model GL1000 has been termed by some as the "ugly duckling" though it is mechanically same to the 1978 model. Changes for 1979 were cosmetic. Rectangular turn signals replaced the previous round ones, control levers were changed from silver to black, and twin-bulb taillight with CBX-type ribbed lenses replaced the single-bulb unit.