Is Limited Edition GL1500 a Canadian Version?

[Dartmouth_Fellow]

First time posting here. My nephew just sold me a bike he picked up last year, 1990 GoldWing Limited Edition. I have been reading up as much as I can on this bike but I have never seen another one described as a LE, it's always SE, so my question is when ordering anything for this motorcycle, would I just click on the SE model when making purchase's online?
PS: This bike has 118,000 kms on it and it was pampered by the owner. I got it for 3000 Canadian because the guy said it needs parts installed to make it reliable ...funny part is, this guy gave me all the parts that the bike needs. Timing belts, mufflers ( Harley Davidson mufflers that he had bent to fit the bike), spark plugs, fork seal kit with front wheel bearings and steering stem bearings. He said why remove the forks to service them and not replace the other things while your at it, so I got all OEM bearings. Air cleaner, final drive oil, engine oil and filter. Compressor works also.

[Andy Cote]

Welcome to the forum.

Not sure about limited edition. Do you have some badging or other indication to this effect? If speedometer/odometer is in Kilometers it probably is a Canadian Edition. Here is some history: https://www.goldwingfacts.com/goldwinghistory.htm You can also do a check the tag on the steering neck and/or a VIN check to confirm which model it is.

[Dartmouth_Fellow]

Here is a pic

[Andy Cote]

You can buy those emblems at auto parts stores. Dad had those exact ones on his truck.

[WingAdmin]

I was going to say the same thing - I've never heard of a Limited Edition GL1500, and if that is the only badging on the bike, I suspect it's an aftermarket stick-on.

[Charlie1Horse]

And Honda always placed the 'SE' , 'Aspencade', or 'Interstate' emblem on the left saddlebag at the same height as the 'Honda' emblem on the right. That 'Special Edition' emblem is quite lower than the 'Honda' emblem, which makes me think an ADD ON.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

[GlimWas]

A Canada Edition shows a logo on the backrest on the drivers seat, on the contact key cover and has a special key

[Rednaxs60]

The only Limited Edition GW that I know of is the 1985 GL1200 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. This model was designed specifically for the North American market and sold in the North American market. Had everything that Honda could realistically put on a motorcycle, but did miss putting reverse on it - I have one.

[Fiberthree]

Nice avatar GlimWas.
I spent too much time trying to get it off my screen before I scrolled down and realized I was an idiot!

[GlimWas]

Nice avatar GlimWas.
I spent too much time trying to get it off my screen before I scrolled down and realized I was an idiot!

you're welcome

[DenverWinger]

GlimWas, Your signature is what in Information Technology we call a "PEBCAK" error.

"Problem exists between Chair and Keyboard".

[Mh434]

As GlimWas said above, the "Canadian Edition" has this legend embossed into the seat cover, and on both ignition keys (mine is one of these editions). There is no "Limited Edition" on the bike, so, the Canadian Edition is not an "LE".

I've neither seen, nor heard of, an "LE" edition GL1500, although I'm sure many riders in other markets aren't aware of the official "Canadian Edition" either, so anything's possible.

Aside from the "Canadian Edition" legend on the seat & keys, mine is badged as an "SE" model.

[Dartmouth_Fellow]

Thank you for all your replies to my inquiry about the "Limited Edition" emblem. I now know that I have a base model with factory options installed. I must say that this website is akin to a living encyclopedia when it comes to real world answers about how to maintain and upgrade a Gold Wing. I believe that I have spent every free moment I have reading this website "cover to cover" so to speak. My only problem is the bike that I purchased is a four hour ride away so I can't physically check on the bike as I learn from this site, so I resort to phone calls to the previous owner as new questions come up for instance...
" Did the bike ever have a heel/toe shifter"?
" Does the bike jump out of 4th gear when throttle is rolled on hard"?
" What is the amp readout from the alternator when at idle?"
"Has the alternator ever been changed or worked on"?
" Is the tip over sensor original or has it been disabled"?
I have read so many articles about the GL 1500 having alternator problems that I myself won't feel comfortable going on a very long trip without a spare tucked into the bike somewhere, but the more I read the more I wonder because it's explained that if you do not have a high demand power wise on your machine, you don't need over 40 amps, but that's another discussion.
Again, thank you for your replies to my question.

[Mh434]

If your battery is strong, the alternator is still nominal, and you don’t have much in the way of extra electrical “farkles”, you’ll be okay.

Of course, few of us can resist the temptation to add on a few electrical goodies, and the GL1500 charging system has always been very, very marginal. It’s surprisingly cheap & easy to upgrade the alternator to a high output one, so you can add on as much as you want.

Even with the factory alternator, you can still do some upgrades. The trick is to replace as many incandescent bulbs as possible with LED’s, first. That frees up a LOT of current to devote to new farkles. Remember, those halogen headlights, alone, take way more current to run than the engine does. Brake lights draw quite a bit, too.

You have an electrical “budget” to work with, but the margin is slim. Balance the budget, and you’re good to go. Go into debt, just a tiny bit, and you’ll quickly get into trouble. If you add a high power alternator & AGM-type battery, you’ve won the farkle lottery.

[EasyBadger]

There was never a GL1500 LE.

For the 15th and 20th anniversary, they had a SE version. All 1995 models came with a commemorative gold trim.

Enjoy your wing.

Safe rides,
Jens

[Charlie1Horse]

If you wonder about your 'Tip Over Sensor' called Bank Angle Sensor, you can have your local Honda dealer run your VIN to see if it has ever been changed. There is a recall on '88 to '93 models and if it hasn't been changed they will order a new one for you and replace it at no charge (FREE). The recall is a safety issue so, if this bike is still on the road it is still an active recall and will be changed out for you. Personally I would not bypass the BAS because if I should ever fall over I would prefer my bike to shut off.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

[DenverWinger]

Easy to check if the BAS recall has been done, as part of the replacement procedure the dealers were instructed to stamp an "X" into the frame member by the starter relay...

[drummertom43]

A Canada Edition shows a logo on the backrest on the drivers seat, on the contact key cover and has a special key

If anyone has any of those key blanks or happen to know where I could find some, PLEASE let me know.

[CrystalPistol]

Seen them Canadian key blanks on Ebay. If you look, you can even find key or lock smiths that cut them from the key #. I had two cut for mine a short while back, work PERFECT. Not sure about those with Canadian emblem, but generally there are two types '88-'97 keys, Type 1 and Type 2, relates to cut away with key pointing towards your body.

Below is maybe some later style keys, CD & US … my notes say these are '98-'02

I don't have a pic of a '88-'97 CD key yet.

As Rednaxs60 said, only "LE" I ever heard of or seen was the '85 1200, it was fuel injected & a one year run only.

[Charlie1Horse]

Seen them Canadian key blanks on Ebay. If you look, you can even find key or lock smiths that cut them from the key #. I had two cut for mine a short while back, work PERFECT. Not sure about those with Canadian emblem, but generally there are two types '88-'97 keys, Type 1 and Type 2, relates to cut away with key pointing towards your body.

As far as buying key blanks for anything I find here in NE Florida that no locksmiths will cut them because, they say, they don't know what metal it is made of and some of them will ruin their key cutting machine, however, if you have an original key they may be able to punch one with a keypunch tool. I have never found one here that will grind/cut a key blank that they did not sell.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

[CrystalPistol]

As far as buying key blanks for anything I find here in NE Florida that no locksmiths will cut them because, they say, they don't know what metal it is made of and some of them will ruin their key cutting machine, however, if you have an original key they may be able to punch one with a keypunch tool. I have never found one here that will grind/cut a key blank that they did not sell.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

I know, have run into that but I think it's more because they want to sell the blank too. I think it pretty easy to tell plated brass.
I got buddies here will do it for me anyway, but the ones I ordered off Ebay this past year were bought from a L-smith in Warrenton, Va. and he just used the key code off the key which I provided in a note when making the purchase, was like $19 and free shipping for the pair. Like I said, they worked PERFECT. One is a stashed spare, one is a gas door knob now.

I've had local buddies cut extra chipped keys for a couple Fords I have after I bought the chipped blank on Ebay, my Fords will program as long as you have two already.

[drummertom43]

I bought a lock from Canada and it had two of these keys and they work great. One of the keys is missing the plastic insert. My son is a locksmith, so cutting them will not be a problem. I will check Ebay for blanks. Thank you for all the input.

[curtm]

there actually was an anniversary addition produced for the Canadian market, i posted some pics of the badging a year ago
Burt

[Stringpicker]

I have a 2000 Goldwing “Canadian Edition “ also. The seat emblem states “Canadian Edition “ bossed in the backrest and the air pressure gauge is in metric reading.

[TwoTone Trike]

Stringpicker, That sure is a nice looking trike. Is it a Lehman or a California Sidecar? Or a ??????