Last GL1500 model upgrades

[Beerbiker21]

Hi

I'm looking for my first Goldwing, the Gl1500.

I know the last issue (1998/2000) had some upgrades (improved clutch etc).

How can I tell whether the actual bike I'm looking at was one of this final series

Thanks in advance

[Rambozo]

How can I tell whether the actual bike I'm looking at was one of this final series

How about check the year?
Also, the seat and backrest are different. 88-97 the backrest has straight sides while 98-2000 it has wings.

[Beerbiker21]

Check the year...good one, hadn't thought of that! Seriously tho, bikes can be sold/registered in years later than they were made. Hence my question and thanks for your hint.

[MikeB]

Look for the VIN on the right side of the frame adjacent to the fork tubes, just forward of the radiator fill cap. Along with the VIN is the year and month of manufacture.

[WingAdmin]

The VIN sticker has the model year printed on it in big, bold digits:

VIN sticker

[Rambozo]

Check the year...good one, hadn't thought of that! Seriously tho, bikes can be sold/registered in years later than they were made. Hence my question and thanks for your hint.

Sorry I didn't notice you're in Europe. I know that can be a problem over there and there is not always a date on the ID tag if it has an SC number. The seat back is easy to see, but the later seats will fit on the early bikes so you can't really trust that, same with the engine guards that are different, too. Those things will at least be a clue. If you pull a valve cover, the rockers are different. I'll have to think about it a little and see if there is anything positive and easy to see. The different models make it more difficult as not all features will be on all bikes.

[Beerbiker21]

Thanks to all for the advice this far.

Anything visual is best as digital photos can be interrogated. It saves going 100s of miles to check on something. I also find photos being used from a previous sale!

In France regular official checks are only just coming in so it becomes difficult to trace the history of, for instance, mileage. Obviously one looks through maintenance records but rarely are they perfect for 20+ year old bikes so information can get hidden or simply lost

I find the condition of the alloy valve covers a useful guide....I won't buy a bike that has lived by the sea!