My reentry and the Vetter

[roncar]

Back in the day, I had a 1977 Honda GL1000 GoldWing Fully dressed in Vetter Gear.

Life and 25 years got in the way until I was able to re enter motorcycling. For nostalgic reasons, I wanted to pick up with what I left off with. After months of searching, I had to settle with a 78 GL1000 (really wanted a 77.)

I was not impressed, couldn't see the forest for the trees. The guy I was working with wanted to build it 'naked' and paint it blue (enough leftover on hand.) I wanted it dressed and red. Of course it was my bike so I got what I wanted. Found a fairing on e-bay, $5 + $100 shipping. After verifying with seller that pick-up was an option, won it for the opening bid.

Missing a few bits, but I'll get them later. Started painting in conjunction with painting the bike parts. Primer, base coat and top coat applied.

Then came the striping. Used automotive stripes as OEM markings were not in the budget.

World of difference when the clear coat was applied.

 

[Kynan C.]

That is super cool! I really want to get a GL1000 too. My goal is to do an exact replica of the bike that Craig featured in his prints. I want to paint it the same color, and make it look just like the pic. Now... this is a to-do someday. I am just waiting to run across a 1978 GL. Maybe a deal I can't pass up.

 

[roncar]

Now I had to procure the missing bits. Found a Kawasaki by Vetter on eBay that was local and $10. Had a windshield, Vetter Sound, one of the pocket covers, and seeing identified as '2' on pic, I had hopes of the Vetter horns. Alas was fairing mounting point brackets. At the time the cut out part, identified as '1' on pic, I attributed to a previous owner mod. As such, the fairing was disposed of after stripping all parts off of it.

Found another one for $10 to finish the parts I needed and some spares. Another Kawasaki fairing and it was cut the same as the previous one. It however was cracked so I trashed it after stripping. I used the serial plate on a Vetter trunk so I don't have the ser. no. readily available.

 

[roncar]

Finally got it home and was pleased with the outcome. I really wanted Vetter on the back, but none were available at the time, so I used Honda bags and trunk from a GL1100. Used a radio that was lying around. Zero potential for theft.

That was 7 years ago and a few changes has been made since then. Finally got Vetter bags for her, but I am liking that the Honda trunk is removable by key like the Vetter bags. Never know what the future holds though.

And my local tribute to "Edward Scissorhands."

 

[Kynan C.]

That is a sharp looking bike. Are you going to color match the Vetter bag doors? You did a fantastic resto job.

 

[roncar]

Thanks. Painting the bag doors is definitely on my to-do list. Color is actually a lot closer than it looks in the pics. The paint on the bags is in such bad shape, it's hard to tell.

 

[brianinpa]

Very nice Ron! I just realized that even with all the forums I have seen you on, I think this is the first time I have seen a picture of your bike.

 

[roncar]

Very nice Ron! I just realized that even with all the forums I have seen you on, I think this is the first time I have seen a picture of your bike.

Yeah, I post pictures of it occasionally on the goldwing forums, but it is such a conglomeration of parts from different years, I try to not draw too much attention to it (those purists can be brutal.)

My motto is, "Bend to fit and paint to match." Serves me well and discounting consumables, (gas, oil, tires, etc.) I don't think it's bad for a sub $1K bike.

 

[catseye]

nicely done.