What Have I Got????

[oldhatt45]

Hi All,
Just recently picked up a 1976 GL1000 and joined the forum.
I've wanted a GoldWing since 1976. LOL But could never really justify it.
But, now even though I still can't justify it, I wanted it, so.........
It's in pretty rough shape, but the one thing I have is time to rebuild it from the ground up.

I've been reading a lot of the information on the forum so, I know this is not going to be quick or simple.

One thing I found that is kind of bugging me. I'm not sure which model I have. I don't know if it's a Standard model or a Ltd.
Was hoping that I could get pointed in the right direction.

It has some of what I think are the Ltd parts. Chrome Radiator shrouds, flare at the bottom of the front fender, the color might be a faded Maroon, chrome side mounted horns.

It also has a few things that are not from a Ltd. Upper rear engine mounts are black, no Ltd badges on side covers. Not sure if the wheels are plain aluminum or the gold anodizing has worn off. Valve covers may be deteriorated chrome but not sure.

I don't know what I can look at that would definitely tell me one way or the other.

Was hoping to be able to figure it out before I start buying parts.

Hopefully a picture is attached here
[img]

Right Side

[/img]

Thanks for any help,

Charlie

[dingdong]

I'd say no to it being an LTD. Someone just added the chrome shrouds. Nothing else is pointing to LTD. Wrong color, wheels aren't gold, engine mounts aren't chrome, etc. The chrome horn is stock on the standard 76.

[oldhatt45]

Dingdong,
Thanks!

Charlie

[pistolpete]

Take a look at the frame number.
76 LTD's are gl1-1035000 to gl1-1037999 as only 2000 were made.
Pistolpete

[RBGERSON]

Those numbers seem to say 2999 were made what am I missing..yes I always heard only 2000 made..but the #'s????

[pistolpete]

Sorry, the 7 was a miss for the 6.
Pistol

[Old Fogey]

Only 2000 were imported into the States. I believe another 1400 or so went all over the rest of the world.

[pistolpete]

Yes sir, I heard that as well.
Do you know the frame number range for those 1400??
Pete

[Old Fogey]

Hi Pete,

I looked into this ages ago. I most probably have the info buried in the mountain of stuff on the computer, but right now it's 4am and I should be in bed! I'll get searching as soon as I can but it may be beginning of next week.
John

[pistolpete]

OK John,
No hurry, have a good night.
Pete

[aussiegold]

i have 2 Australian delivery LTDs . i will get the vin numbers and engine numbers for you Pete. i dont know how many LTD came to Australia , but i met a chap who bought one new and still has it. he told me the dealer that he bought his from , said only 50 came to Oz. but there is no real way to verify that. M.

[pistolpete]

aussiegold

Excellent. Thank you very much

Pistol

[Old Fogey]

I found the file I was looking for. I can't find a way to post the table so here's the link.

http://members.home.nl/mmarx/Wing/partsbook/vin.htm

The frame numbers run from GL1-2035001 to 2038420, making 3,420.
As you can see from the frame numbers, the USA got 2000. It would appear that Canada got 1420 but within that range of numbers, five other markets were supplied too.
I had hoped that it would be possible to ascertain how many were sent to each market, but the number range for each market overlaps.

Of interest, the engine numbers run from GL1E-2033474 to 2036896, making 3423 so somewhere 3 engines went missing.

Further, checking the final drives I have lying about against the list, I find I have one genuine LTD unit that I didn't know about.

[pistolpete]

John,

Thank you for the info. I too have a copy of the same document...somewhere. I appreciate you locating it for me.
I'll put together some observations on this and get it back to you.

Pete

[Johnrmont]

Boy, seeing that '76 really brings back some fond memories!
I also think that both the '75 & the '76 had the best Gold Wing seats I ever rode on (for comfort)!
Good luck,on your ground up restoration and enjoy it ...once it's done you will really wonder why you didn't do it so many years ago.

[aussiegold]

here are the numbers from my AU delivery LTDs

No 1
Engine GL1E - 2036791
Frame GL1 - 2038274

No 2
Engine GL1E - 2036135
Frame GL1 - 2037650
and pictures.

[aussiegold]

and , while this strays away a little from the original topic , here is the AU/EU LTD owners manual. each of my LTD's has one. i would be interested to see if any more have survived.
as an aside to this, this manual lists the tool kit as the stock item, and not the extended and chromed version that US models had.

[pistolpete]

Wow!!
Very cool. Myself and others would be very interested in knowing if there are any more differences.
Thank you for the pictures.
Pistol and Moose