1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Above are the ebay pictures of what is now my 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade. I made a silly offer to the seller and got it for well under £3000. I jumped the train to Scotland and had a very plush and comfortable 220 mile ride back home. The only problem, a slight weep of oil from the right hand fork seal.
I did do a little checking into the history of the bike, https://www.vcheck.uk, provide a good free service. It's a 1993 model, first registered in the UK in 2003. The earliest mot showed a 2006 mileage of 76000, so it's done a fair few miles in a foreign clime. The only advisories were for worn tires and brake pads, the one worry was headlamp aim to high in 201, it passed 1 minute later so it must have just needed adjusting. It's now done 90000 miles and the current mot runs out mid July.
I know for the price I paid it's going to need work doing. What that amounts to will be revealed, as I go through the bike. I see this as a road-going project, as I am going to continue riding it as much as is possible,while doing the necessary to make it a trustworthy ride.
I did do a little checking into the history of the bike, https://www.vcheck.uk, provide a good free service. It's a 1993 model, first registered in the UK in 2003. The earliest mot showed a 2006 mileage of 76000, so it's done a fair few miles in a foreign clime. The only advisories were for worn tires and brake pads, the one worry was headlamp aim to high in 201, it passed 1 minute later so it must have just needed adjusting. It's now done 90000 miles and the current mot runs out mid July.
I know for the price I paid it's going to need work doing. What that amounts to will be revealed, as I go through the bike. I see this as a road-going project, as I am going to continue riding it as much as is possible,while doing the necessary to make it a trustworthy ride.
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
The pictures that should have appeared in the first post
- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Curious, why is the side stand resting on a 2 x 6? Is there a low spot on your driveway or is the side stand too short?
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Hi Mike. The photos are the ebay ones from the seller. I asked him about the block of wood and he said it felt as though the bike was leaning over too far when it was on the sidestand. Now that I've got it (the bike) the lean angle seems perfectly fine, no need for a block of wood. The centre stand needs to come off because it doesn't spring back up, needs lubricating, (it's also very rusty, so he wanted to keep it out of view in the photos probably). I reckon the seller was keeping it on the side stand in his garage, and the block of wood was to keep it in a more upright position.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Okay, I understand. The previous owner must not owned GL1500 before. They do seem to lean over quite a bit but that is by design. Makes them more stable when parked.
Thanks for the reply. Good luck with the center sand. Should not be too difficult to fix.
Thanks for the reply. Good luck with the center sand. Should not be too difficult to fix.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- dingdong
- Posts: 4012
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:35 am
- Location: Oklahoma City
- Motorcycle: 1976 gl1000
1993 gl1500A
2004 NRX1800 Rune SOLD
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Lots of rust could mean the frame is rusted out causing the bike to lean excessively on the side stand as well the center stand not wanting to spring back. You might want to inspect just to be sure since you are in the land of perpetual rain. Lol.
- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Though rusted components could mean problems, he said,
So I don't think the frame is rusted out but it should still be looked at just in case there is some rust on the frame.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: !993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Thanks, Mike B and Dingdong for your replies. The framework around the center stand looks solid.When it's on the center stand, the back wheel has good ground clearance. There is more significant rust on the front down tubes and cross members. It doesn't look like the plastics have been off for a while. I have the wire brushes and rustproofing undercoat ready.
Liverpool does feel like the county of perpetual rain at times. I have to do all the work outside, so rain spoils play sometimes. I will be posting photos regularly as I go. On my last bike I never took many photos. I can already see how useful they will be on reassembly.
I hope the posts will be useful for anyone looking for a budget 1500 in the UK. Showing what's behind the plastic. Our weather certainly takes its toll on bikes.
Lower plastic parts removed. The lower fairing reflector strips have broken bits, the piece with the missing tab was glued in. The lower running lamps have horrible looking corrosion on the back of the reflectors. Rusty hose clips. Radiator fluid drained, rusty framework exposed. More to follow.
Liverpool does feel like the county of perpetual rain at times. I have to do all the work outside, so rain spoils play sometimes. I will be posting photos regularly as I go. On my last bike I never took many photos. I can already see how useful they will be on reassembly.
I hope the posts will be useful for anyone looking for a budget 1500 in the UK. Showing what's behind the plastic. Our weather certainly takes its toll on bikes.
Lower plastic parts removed. The lower fairing reflector strips have broken bits, the piece with the missing tab was glued in. The lower running lamps have horrible looking corrosion on the back of the reflectors. Rusty hose clips. Radiator fluid drained, rusty framework exposed. More to follow.

- MikeB
- Posts: 3173
- Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:54 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Motorcycle: 1998 - GL1500 Aspencade
184K Miles
2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
14K Miles - Contact:
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Looks like some pretty nasty rust to deal with.
Look into Loctite Extend Rust Neutralizer. I don't know if it is available in the UK but you can check.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_trmt ... alizer.htm
Look into Loctite Extend Rust Neutralizer. I don't know if it is available in the UK but you can check.
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/s_trmt ... alizer.htm
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- landisr
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm
- Location: Gilbert, AZ
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1976 GL1000LTD
1994 GL1500A
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Regarding the leaking fork seal: You might try a SealMate. People seem to have success with them. Google them and also check out several Youtube videos about them. If it doesn't work you're only out a few pesos, but what the heck.. ?
SealMate.net
Ron in AZ
SealMate.net
Ron in AZ
I'm not so sure about an inner child, but I have an inner idiot that surfaces every now and then.. 

- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Thanks for your suggestion MikeB we have a similar loctite product available I went with Hammerite Kurust. I am going to use that brand of paint, so I wanted to match the product. Pictures of the effects to follow.
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Thank you landisr. I watched some youtube and am having a go at making my own tool out of various thickness of plastic bottles. I am going to tackle the timing belts first.
- rowanb
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:41 pm
- Location: Liverpool Merseyside UK
- Motorcycle: 1993 Honda Gl1500A Aspencade
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Timing Belts.
The timing belts are off. I decided to drain the radiator and move the hoses out of the way for a first attempt at doing this job. I also used the fact that a fair bit of the lower front frame was exposed, to clean and rust treat the corroded areas. I prefer a breaker bar to an impact driver for hex and socket head bolts and nuts.
The timing belts are off. I decided to drain the radiator and move the hoses out of the way for a first attempt at doing this job. I also used the fact that a fair bit of the lower front frame was exposed, to clean and rust treat the corroded areas. I prefer a breaker bar to an impact driver for hex and socket head bolts and nuts.
- landisr
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm
- Location: Gilbert, AZ
- Motorcycle: 1976 GL1000
1976 GL1000LTD
1994 GL1500A
Re: 1993 Gl1500 Aspencade
Wow. Yes, you definitely need to address that frame rust. 

I'm not so sure about an inner child, but I have an inner idiot that surfaces every now and then.. 
