Looking to buy a '85 GW 1200 Limited Edition...

[DblG]

Hey everyone,

I have looked at an '85 GW 1200

LTD CFI, and have a few questions, and wondered if I could get some advice on if buying it is a good idea. So, it's 'history' is that the original owner passed away in '89 and it sat in storage for about 23 years. The family got it out of storage, brought it to a certified Honda (Milton, Vermont) mechanic, who ended up buying the bike from the family for himself in 2012. It had 13,700 miles at that time.

He "went through" the bike, changed fluids, timing belts, flushed fuel system, removed gas tank and flushed, etc. He put less than a hundred miles on it and decided to sell it. Enter the guy who owns it now, that I'm looking to buy it from. He bought it from the Honda mechanic in 2013, and has put about 5,000 miles on it in the three years he has owned it, so it now has 18,300 miles on it. He has taken AMAZING care of it !!! It LOOKS brand new ! A great guy that I totally trust, that's NOT the issue. It's the previous 'history' of the bike.

So my point / questions / concerns are, would you feel comfortable buying this bike (fuel-injected) after having sat for SO long ??? If so, why for / or against. Thanks SO much for any input anyone could offer !!!

Gary G.
Boston, Mass.

[twocams]

Naw, I think its to clean. Kick some dirt on it.... then buy it. Sure, if the price is right and you need one. Take it for a nice long ride to check it out. Then take her home. Set aside a few $$$$ so when those components pack up that you need or want on the bike can be repaired/replaced. I guess my other 2 questions are, why is everyone selling so fast. And can you work on the bike at all. Lot of places wont touch old bikes anymore.

twocams

[Rednaxs60]

I have an '85 LTD that I have rebuilt almost in its entirety. Bought mine with 103,000 Kms on it and now have 127,000 Kms on it in 1 1/2 years. It will give lots of riding enjoyment and years as well. The bike looks great from the pictures.

Don't let the FI sway you away from the bike, pretty bulletproof - no guarantees though.

Agree with Twocams, why is it being sold so often - nice to know. Be prepared to do your own work, get a set of manuals for the bike.

I am also putting as condone on the old as my spare ride. Never know when you need to put your bike u for maintenance. Like these bikes.

Cheers

[WingAdmin]

The main strike against the FI 1200's is that there were not all that many of them made - the 1985 GL1200 Limited and the 1986 GL1200 Aspencade SEi, then it disappeared. Fuel-injection-specific parts like pumps and more critically, the FI computer, are not all that easy to find compared to the carburetted bikes.

[tbeiler]

That's why some LTD owners buy a second one just for spare parts.
Even though the bike has sat for some years, the guy you are buying from has put 5000 miles on it in 3 years? If so, and you say you trust him, get into deep discussion as to what he has done to the bike. Replace Stator? Reg/Rect? Fork Seals? Brake pads, rotors, calipers? solder 3 yellow wire connector? Shocks, Front and Rear? Air suspension function? Trip computer function? ECU faults? Tires? Battery? Timing Belts, Muffler condition? Sensors? and on and on and on.
Assuming that he put the 5k miles on, surely he has done some of these items. If he hasn't, offer less?
But get that LTD, you'll be glad you did.

[DblG]

Thank you for the advice, "TwoCams", "Rednaxs60", "WingAdmin", and "tbeiler" !!! MUCH appreciated !

I am a little nervous about the parts availability since it was a limited production, as well as able to find someone to work on it !

SO tempting... Looks brand new (only 18,000 original miles), EVEN under the (seat) hood !

I won't be deciding for another month or so, so ANY more advice / ideas would be greatly appreciated...

Gary

[twocams]

In that case, I would look around to see if I could find someone to work on said bike if need be.

twocams

[Rednaxs60]

Be a nice bike to have in the stable.

[Wolf Rider]

Did you finally buy it?
You never did say a price.
The bike looks amazing.
I would jump on it if the price was reasonable and I had the cash on hand.
It looks like it came out of a time machine.

[jgarrett]

I wouldn't trade my 85 Limited for a 1500 or even the 1800. I don't know if it's the look, feel or exactly what it is I like so much but I have ridden many, many other bikes and this is still my favorite. Parts are readily accessible on eBay and other places too. My Goldwing just runs so good, just purrs so smoothly and has so much power. The 1800 would outrun me but it wouldn't run away from me! For the money it's a LOT of bike!

[jgarrett]

One quick thing, don't forget to take the 3 wire connector off (stator to rectifier) and solder the wires solid!! VERY IMPORTANT!!

[jgarrett]

Did you finally buy it?
You never did say a price.
The bike looks amazing.
I would jump on it if the price was reasonable and I had the cash on hand.
It looks like it came out of a time machine.

I would LOVE to know the answer too! I found another bike like mine with only 20K and just went through shop and checked out okay.

[Phunnybone]

That's why some LTD owners buy a second one just for spare parts.
................

I've got three so far and know where I can get one or two more

[Rednaxs60]

Is there a verdict yet?

If the bike is in that good condition, great pictures, go for it. Most issues with the FI models is sensors and there are lots of NOS, or alternatives available to you. The ECU is the one issue that would be a bigger challenge, but there are businesses that specialize in rebuilding of these units.

It must be realized that everything deteriorates with age, we are no exception, and there will probably be work/maintenance to be done. Don't let the FI system deter you from buying it.

Cheers