The Project 371 team's final powertrain layout was a 1 litre (61 cu in) liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, SOHC engine, with a gear-driven generator at the back end of the crankshaft. Using gears to drive the generator caused it to spin backwards (relative to the crankshaft) and thus to counteract the engine torque reaction.Cylinder blocks and crankcase were integral, with the transmission situated below the crankcase to keep the unit construction engine as compact as possible. Final drive was by shaft.
Production Gold Wings went on sale in the U.S. and in Europe in 1975, but pre-production GL1000 models were first revealed to dealers in September 1974 at American Honda's annual dealer meeting in Las Vegas, and then shown to the public the following month at the IFMA (German) Internationale Fahrrad- und Motorrad-Ausstellung (International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition; today Intermot) in Cologne.
Small fairings had been mounted on two of the production prototypes for the U.S. dealer show in Las Vegas.
The original GL1000 (designated K0) had an electric starter backed up by a kick start lever stored inside a dummy fuel tank, which also housed the radiator expansion tank, electrical components, as well as the air filter supplying four Keihin 32 mm CV carburetors. The real fuel tank was under the seat, in order to keep the center of mass as low as possible.The bike had a dry weight of 584 pounds (265 kg)and a retail price of US $2,900.13,000 Gold Wings were sold in the United States in 1975.
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| Honda Goldwing GL 1000 1975 Picture 1 |
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| Honda Goldwing GL 1000 1975 Picture 2 |
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| Honda Goldwing GL 1000 1975 Picture 3 |
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| Honda Goldwing GL 1000 1975 Picture 4 |
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| Honda Goldwing GL 1000 1975 Picture 5 |
1975 Honda Gold Wing GL1000
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| Production | 1974—1979 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Japan |
| Engine | 999 cc (61.0 cu in) SOHC flat-four |
| Bore / stroke | 72.0 mm × 61.4 mm (2.83 in × 2.42 in) |
| Compression ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Power | 80 hp (60 kW) @7500 rpm |
| Torque | 63 lb·ft (85 N·m) @5500 rpm |
| Ignition type | Contact breaker |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Frame type | Steel full-duplex cradle |
| Suspension | F: Telescopic fork 143 mm (5.6 in) travel R: Swing arm, 86.3 mm (3.40 in) travel |
| Brakes | F: Dual discs, single-piston calipers R: Single disc, opposed 2-piston caliper |
| Tires | F: 3.50 H-19 (tube type) R: 4.50 H-17A (tube type) |
| Rake, trail | 28 degrees/120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Wheelbase | 60.6 in (1,540 mm) |
| Dimensions | L: 2,305 mm (90.7 in) |
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Weight | 584 lb (265 kg)(dry) |
| Fuel capacity | 19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal) |