Honda GL1200A Gold Wing Aspencade: history, specs, pictures

**Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade**
	Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1986
Class	Touring
Engine	1182cc Liquid cooled, four stroke, opposed boxer four cylinders, SOHC. 2 valve per cylinder
Compression ratio	9.0:1
Top Speed	243 km/h / 151 mp/h
Horsepower	94.01 HP (70.1 KW) @ 7000RPM
Torque	77.45 ft/lbs (105.0 Nm) @ 5500RPM
Fuel System	4x32mm Keihin carburetors
Ignition	Electronic
Transmission	5 Speed
Suspension	Front: Telescopic with air assisted spring and 4-position anti-dive. ; Rear: Twin adjustable shocks
Brakes	Front: 2 x 276 mm discs, 2 piston calipers ; Rear: Single 296 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	130/90 H16
Rear Tire	150/90 H15
Wheelbase	1610 mm / 63.4 in.
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in.
Weight	330.0 kg (wet)
Recommended Oil	Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity	22 Liters / 5.8 US gal
Related	Honda GL1200; Honda GL1200A; Honda GL1200I; Honda GL1200SEI; Honda GL1200L
Competition	Kawasaki ZN1300A
Manuals	Service Manual
	Brochures ·

The Honda GL 1200 Gold Wing Aspencade was a Liquid cooled, four stroke, opposed boxer four cylinders, SOHC. 2 valve per cylinder Touring motorcycle produced by Honda in 1985. Max torque was 77.45 ft/lbs (105.0 Nm) @ 5500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 94.01 HP (70.1 KW) @ 7000 RPM. It could reach a top speed of 243 km/h / 151 mp/h. The Honda GL1200A was more commonly known as the Honda Gold Wing 1200 Aspencade. You may be looking for the GL1200 "Plain", GL1200I Interstate, GL1200L Limited, or GL1200SEI Special Edition.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The GL1200 arrived for the 1984 model year and continued the trend set by it's predecessor. There was the unfaired Standard, the dressed Interstate and the top of the range Aspencade, which had the Type 3 audio system. New, stiffer frame with major improvements, bigger and more responsive 1182cc version of the flat-four engine with bags more torque and hydraulic valve adjusters, better suspension and handling were the main attractions on the new Gold Wing.

Carried forward from the previous Aspencade were the now better air suspension controls, linked brakes and the new Aspencade had a more advanced audio system and upgraded LCD dash. The front wheel was a rather unusually small (for such a large machine) 16" and this gave the steering a very light feel. The styling of the plastics was more aggressive than the GL1100, the fairing, trunk, panniers and lights all had a more squarish brute look which was evident on many motorcycles and cars for a while in the eighties. The flowing lines of the previous model were not quite as subtle on the GL1200, but the integration of the luggage was much better now because there were less gaps and spaces between the panels. Hondaline could supply you with a CB radio and other fripperies considered essential by many owners of the new machine. The aftermarket suppliers had a field day, small cottage industries had sprung up everywhere to feed the habit and the vast range of chrome goodies, backrests, lights etc available for the Gold Wing rivalled that which could be had for Harley-Davidson owners.

1985 saw Honda drop the Standard unfaired Gold Wing and alongside the Interstate and Aspencade they brought in the GL1200LTD for this year only. The LTD had computerised fuel injection, auto levelling rear suspension and a sophisticated trip computer. The fuel injection, while not entirely without it's faults in the real world, transformed the GL1200 into a real animal which made the carburetor models seem sluggish in comparison. The LTD was only available in two-tone gold/brown.

1986 saw only some cosmetic changes to the Interstate and Aspencade, the LTD was replaced by the SE-i, which came in Pearl White only and had little over the LTD except for Dolby noise reduction on the Panasonic Type 3 audio system (the Aspencade got the same audio treatment) and a slightly better seat which was also fitted to the Interstate and Aspencade. The SE-i had ballooned out to over 770lbs.

The final year of production for the GL1200 was 1987 and there was little change. No doubt Honda were saving the major surprise for the following year, although the Gold Wing faithful had been expecting the rumoured super Gold Wing for the current model year. The SE-i was gone and the Interstate and Aspencade got a much plusher saddle, the best on any Gold Wing to date. The final drive and differential had been made much smoother and quieter, which resulted in the best sorted GL1200 so far.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, Opposed boxer four cylinders, SOHC, 2 valve per cylinder. The engine featured a 9.0:1 compression ratio.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 130/90 H16 front tire and a 150/90 H15 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2 x 276 mm discs, 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 296 mm disc, 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic with air assisted spring and 4-position anti-dive. while the rear was equipped with a Twin adjustable shocks. The GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade was fitted with a 22 Liters / 5.8 US gal fuel tank. The wheelbase was 1610 mm / 63.4 in. long.

1984[edit | edit source]

1984 Honda GL1200A Gold Wing Aspencade

GL1200A'84 - The Aspencade for 1984 was similar to the 1100 cc unit of 1983. Unlike the 1984 Interstate, the Aspencade had a taller passenger seat back, passenger footboards, and elbow rests. It was available in three two-tone colors: Pearl Vintage Red with Mahogany Red Metallic; Satellite Blue Metallic with Spiral Blue Metallic; and Sandy Beige Metallic with Grace Brown Metallic. It had L.C.D. (digital) instrumentation rather than the analog instruments of the Interstate.

Engine: 1182cc SOHC liquid-cooled, opposed four
Valve: Hydraulic valve adjuster system
Transmission: 5-speed
Drive: Shaft
Suspension: On-board air suspension levelling system
Brakes: Internally ventilated front disc
Accessories: AM/FM stereo Type III radio receiver and auto-reverse cassette deck
Wheelbase: 1610mm (63.4 in.)
Dry weight: 328 kg (722.9 lb)
Seat height: 780mm (30.7 in.)
Fuel capacity: 22 liters

The frame serial number in California began 1HFSC1440EA000001 while in the rest of the U.S. it began 1HFSC1410EA000001. The engine serial number (for both California and the rest of the U.S.) began: SC14E-2400107.

1985[edit | edit source]

1985 Honda GL1200A Gold Wing Aspencade

1985 Honda Gold Wing 1200 Aspencade in Tan

GL1200A'85 - The 1985 Aspencade, like the Interstate, was almost identical to the 1984 model. Three two-tone colors were available: Pearl Vintage Red with Mahogany Red Metallic, Satellite Blue Metallic with Spiral Blue Metallic, and Sandy Beige Metallic with Grace Brown Metallic.

Fuel capacity: 22 liters
Weight: 727 lb
Front tire: 130/90-16
Rear tire: 150/90-15
Fork oil: 345cc
Spark plug: DPR8EA-9

The frame serial number in California began 1HFSC1451FA100001 while in the rest of the U.S. it began 1HFSC1424FA100001. The engine serial number (for both California and the rest of the U.S.) began: SC14E-2500001.

1986[edit | edit source]

1986 Honda GL1200A Gold Wing Aspencade

1986 Honda Gold Wing 1200 Aspencade in Tan

1986 Honda GL1200A in Blue

GL1200A'86 - The 1986 Aspencade, like the Interstate, was almost identical to the 1985 model. The rear fender splash guard was added and a Dolby N.R. was added to the stereo system. Three two-tone colors were available: Twilight Beige Metallic with Mahogany Red Metallic, Pearl Marlin Blue with Spiral Blue Metallic, and Trophy Silver Metallic with Tempest Gray Metallic.

Fuel capacity: 22 liters
Weight: 727 lb
Front tire: 130/90-16
Rear tire: 150/90-15
Fork oil: 345cc
Spark plug: DPR8EA-9

The frame serial number in California began 1HFSC1456GA200001 while in the rest of the U.S. it began 1HFSC1429GA200001. The engine serial number (for both California and the rest of the U.S.) began: SC14E-2600001.

1987[edit | edit source]

1987 Honda GL1200A Gold Wing Aspencade

GL1200A'87 - The 1987 Aspencade was the last 1200. This year featured the new tapered seat design with 3-stage foam. Three two-tone colors were available: Candy Wineberry Red with Dusky Red Metallic, Black with Tempest Gray, and Pleiades Silver Metallic with Spiral Blue Metallic.

Fuel capacity: 22 liters
Weight: 743 lb
Front tire: 130/90-16
Rear tire: 150/90-15
Fork oil: 345cc
Spark plug: DPR8EA-9

The frame serial number in California began 1HFSC1454HA300101 while in the rest of the U.S. it began 1HFSC1423HA300001. The engine serial number (for both California and the rest of the U.S.) began: SC14E-2700001.

Photos[edit | edit source]

Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade
Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade
Honda GL1200 Gold Wing Aspencade

Specifications[edit | edit source]

Make Model	Honda GL 1200 Gold Wing Interstate
Year	1986
Engine Type	Four stroke, Opposed boxer four cylinders, SOHC, 2 valve per cylinder
Displacement	1182 cc / 72.1 cub in.
Bore X Stroke	75.5 x 66 mm
Compression	9.0:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Induction	4x 32 mm Keihin carbs
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	70.1 kW / 94 hp @ 7000 rpm (rear tire 62.6 kW / 83.9 hp @ 7250 rpm)
Max Torque	104.9 Nm / 10.7 kgf-m / 77.4 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Rake	30°
Trail	120 mm / 4.6 in.
Front Suspension	Telescopic with air assisted spring and 4-position anti-dive.
Front Wheel Travel	140 mm / 5.5 in.
Rear Suspension	Twin adjustable shocks
Rear Wheel Travel	100 mm / 3.9 in.
Front Brakes	2 x 276 mm discs, 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 296 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tire	130/90 H16
Rear Tire	150/90 H15
Dimensions	2355 mm / 92.7 in.
Wheelbase	1610 mm / 63.4 in.
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in.
Dry-weight	330 kg / 728 lbs
Fuel Capacity	22 Liters / 5.8 US gal
Consumption Average	5.7 L/100 km / 17.4 km/l / 41 US mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	13.3 sec 145 km/h / 90 mph
Top Speed	243 km/h / 151 mp/h
Review	Gold wing History
Manuals	Features and specifications (200 KB) GL1200 84-85 Honda Parts Manual (4.0 MB) GL1200 84-87 Audio Installation Manual (2.2 MB) GL1200 84-87 Haynes Workshop Manual (33.7 MB) GL1200 86-87 Honda Parts Manual (4.0 MB) GL1200 Audio Component Interface Diagram (15 KB) GL1200 Honda Parts Manual (11.6 MB) GL1200 Hondaline Audio System Installation Manual (2.2 MB) GL1200 Hondaline CB System Installation Manual (1.6 MB) GL1200 Starter Rebuild Manual (168 KB) GL1200L Limited SEi Electrical Schematic (1.8 MB) Panasonic RM-1100 Audio Cassette-Radio Service Manual (3.2 MB) Panasonic RM-1200 Audio Cassette Radio Service Manual Supplement (798 KB) Panasonic RM-M1100 Audio Amplifier Service Manual (750 KB)

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