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Custom Honda GL1000 Gold Wing Received a Heart Transplant, Boasts 1520cc

It hosts a GL1500C Valkyrie’s gargantuan six-cylinder powerplant.
Honda GL1000 Gold Wing 10 photos
Photo: Dragon's Motorcycles
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First things first; it goes without saying that Honda’s majestic GL1000 Gold Wing is a force to be reckoned with, even by today’s standards. Back in the ‘70s, this bad boy was truly unrivaled, thanks to its outstanding performance and ruthless power output figures.

Take, for instance, a 1977 model of the Gold Wing family. The ferocious tourer is brought to life by an ominous four-stroke OHC boxer inline-four mill, with a compression ratio of 9.2:1 and two valves per cylinder head. This feral liquid-cooled leviathan has an enormous displacement of no less than 999cc.

It is perfectly capable of producing up to 82 hp at 7,500 rpm, along with 61 pound-feet (83 Nm) of brutal twisting force at around 5,500 revs. This malicious power is handed over to a shaft final drive by means of a five-speed transmission. Ultimately, GL1000 is blessed with a generous top speed of just under 122 mph (196 kph), which isn’t too bad for a colossus that weights as much as 650 pounds (295 kg) with a full gas tank, if you ask me.

Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
Photo: Dragon's Motorcycles
At the front, Honda’s behemoth crawls on a humungous 19-inch wheel that wears dual 232 mm (9.13 inches) brake rotors and two-piston calipers. On the opposite end, you will find a 17-inch module, which houses a 250 mm (9.84 inches) disc and a single-piston caliper. Lastly, Gold Wing’s wheelbase measures approximately 60.8 inches (1,545 mm).

Without going into any other details, it’s quite safe to conclude that we’re dealing with a showstopper! As such, I’ll bet the folks over at Dragon’s Motorcycles had one hell of a time crafting their gorgeously monstrous one-off Goldie – a remarkable display of mechanical artwork that looks like it eats tarmac for breakfast.

Ever since its debut, the Spanish workshop’s fiendish two-wheeled masterpiece was featured in a plethora of press releases that praised its sheer magnificence. Needless to say, their unique creature guarantees to leave just about any moto-loving gearhead in awe.

For starters, GL1000’s standard engine was replaced with that of a glorious GL1500C Valkyrie. This nasty piece of liquid-cooled machinery prides itself with as many as six Keihin carburetors and an astronomical displacement of 1520cc, which is simply staggering.

Honda GL1000 Gold Wing
Photo: Dragon's Motorcycles
Additionally, the six-cylinder SOHC boxer powerplant has a compression ratio of 9.8:1 and a total of twelve valves. At 6,000 revs, it will generate 100 ponies, accompanied by an unholy torque output of 96 pound-feet (130 Nm) at 5,000 rpm.

To accommodate this untamed beast, Gold Wing’s frame and swingarm were subjected to an array of thoughtful tweaks that prepare them for their new duties. You may also notice a set of carbs from a ‘68 Porsche 911 replacing the original Keihin units, as well as a custom exhaust system that allows the engine to breathe with ease.

After treating the suspension to a complete overhaul using top-grade Ohlins components, the Madrid-based firm turned their attention to the finishing touches. The original fuel tank was disposed of to make room for a CB750’s handsome item, while Motogadget supplied the electricals. These include an aftermarket gauge and an M-Lock starter setup, as well as a juicy M-Unit that keeps everything running.

And there we have it. In conclusion, I’ll have to admit that I find Dragon’s exploit to be fascinating in the truest sense of the word!

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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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