Rad guards
- wayneday
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
Rad guards
Just wondering if anyone knows if the rad guards (not sure what they're called) serve a purpose other than the aesthetic value? I am thinking about removing them on my 76 but want to make sure it will not affect some function. Thanks
- SnoBrdr
- Posts: 784
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:01 am
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL 1000
131K Original Owner
Re: Rad guards
Yes, they help direct air flow.wayneday wrote:Just wondering if anyone knows if the rad guards (not sure what they're called) serve a purpose other than the aesthetic value? I am thinking about removing them on my 76 but want to make sure it will not affect some function. Thanks
- wayneday
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
Re: Rad guards
Makes sense, thanks. I live in northern Ontario and we rarely get scorching temps here and I don't spend much time in traffic.......do you think its ok to remove them?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
which guards are you talking about, side, top, bottom?
stuart.
stuart.
- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
not only do they direct air flow, but they also help keeping stuff like stones, and other road debris out of the radiator fins.
stuart.
stuart.
- wayneday
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:30 am
- Location: Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
Re: Rad guards
I was referring to the side (painted) guards that appear to be removed on some of the GL 1000's I've seen. Not a big deal but if they can be removed without hindering anything then I was going to go that route.
- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
well, to that aspect I cant say, but I guess you could try it, but keep your eye on your temp gauge to see if it runs hotter without them on. if it does, I would suggest you reinstall them.
stuart.
stuart.
-
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:09 am
- Location: Glasgow Scotland
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - Contact:
Re: Rad guards
Doug runs Cyborg without them, and when we did the summer trip right across country in 106 degrees he had no problems. Well, we had problems with the heat but the bike didn't!
(it looks in the picture that he does, but the rad is moved forward due to the 'poorboy' type alternator.)
(it looks in the picture that he does, but the rad is moved forward due to the 'poorboy' type alternator.)
'Impossible' is just a level of difficulty! The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask first!
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??
)
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??

- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
Old Fogey wrote:Doug runs Cyborg without them, and when we did the summer trip right across country in 106 degrees he had no problems. Well, we had problems with the heat but the bike didn't!
(it looks in the picture that he does, but the rad is moved forward due to the 'poorboy' type alternator.)
I remember seeing this bike in a photo from another website.
stuart.
- spiralout
- Posts: 1202
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 6:41 pm
- Location: Alabama
- Motorcycle: 1975 GL1000 (gone)
1980 GL1100I (with '77 1000 engine)
1996 GL1500 SE
Re: Rad guards
That's Wingovations US guy, OF's American counterpart and his '78roadwanderer2 wrote: I remember seeing this bike in a photo from another website.
stuart.

http://ngwclub.com/forum/memberlist.php ... ile&u=7025
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21673
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Rad guards
That is one sharp looking bike.
-
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:09 am
- Location: Glasgow Scotland
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - Contact:
Re: Rad guards
It is looking even sharper this year with a repaint. Similar colour-scheme but the grey is now metallic. Pics when he gets a camera.WingAdmin wrote:That is one sharp looking bike.

His other one is sharp too. 76 GL1000, monoshocked, rear fuel tank, 1200 engine, since this pic now got full 1200 front end.
'Impossible' is just a level of difficulty! The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask first!
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??
)
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??

- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
how did he mono-shock this bike? can it be done to an 1100? nice color combination, tank in the rear looks really nice too.Old Fogey wrote:It is looking even sharper this year with a repaint. Similar colour-scheme but the grey is now metallic. Pics when he gets a camera.WingAdmin wrote:That is one sharp looking bike.![]()
His other one is sharp too. 76 GL1000, monoshocked, rear fuel tank, 1200 engine, since this pic now got full 1200 front end.
stuart.
-
- Posts: 839
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:09 am
- Location: Glasgow Scotland
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 - Contact:
Re: Rad guards
I could tell you........but then I'd have to kill you!
Seriously, too much to go into in a simple reply. Loads of work and experimenting to get it right. It looks good in the pics, but Doug is never happy; to be honest at that time it was a sort of work in progress, so now it's back in bits to get a proper build.
More pics of both of them when I get over in the summer.

Seriously, too much to go into in a simple reply. Loads of work and experimenting to get it right. It looks good in the pics, but Doug is never happy; to be honest at that time it was a sort of work in progress, so now it's back in bits to get a proper build.
More pics of both of them when I get over in the summer.
'Impossible' is just a level of difficulty! The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask first!
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??
)
( Seriously, you haven't read all 115 pages of my http://www.wingovations.com website ??

- roadwanderer2
- Posts: 4483
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:03 am
- Location: Tucson Arizona
- Motorcycle: previously owned 83 GL1100A aspencade traded for a motorhome, 1981 honda GL500i silverwing interstate, 1974 yamaha xs400, 1974 Honda cb450 twin cam, 1983 honda vt30, 1982 honda 700 shadow, 1972 cb750four, and my first bike, a brand new 1982 honda CM400e. now own-1986 GL1200 aspencade SEi
- Contact:
Re: Rad guards
aw come on man, you can tell me, I promise I wont tell anybody. it'll be our own little secret.Old Fogey wrote:I could tell you........but then I'd have to kill you!![]()
Seriously, too much to go into in a simple reply. Loads of work and experimenting to get it right. It looks good in the pics, but Doug is never happy; to be honest at that time it was a sort of work in progress, so now it's back in bits to get a proper build.
More pics of both of them when I get over in the summer.

stuart.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 21673
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Rad guards
I was going to ask the same thing! My thoughts were more along the line of, does the original swingarm have the strength to handle the force of suspension weight (which is normally borne by the shocks mounted to the end), as well as the torsional stiffness (as again, torsion was borne by the original shocks) - the swingarm pivot bearings certainly were not designed for torsion, and I'm sure the swingarm itself doesn't have torsional stiffness designed into it.Old Fogey wrote:I could tell you........but then I'd have to kill you!![]()
Seriously, too much to go into in a simple reply. Loads of work and experimenting to get it right. It looks good in the pics, but Doug is never happy; to be honest at that time it was a sort of work in progress, so now it's back in bits to get a proper build.
More pics of both of them when I get over in the summer.
- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: Rad guards
I too agree that the Rad Guides help, but are not required. I have not been running them on my 1977.