Anyone riding gl1200 trike?

[Rugrat5288]

I’m looking at an old GL1200 trike in good shape. Not sure if the 1200 had the same kind of longevity as the 1500. This one has 80,000 on it. They are asking $4400. Not sure on the kit yet. Looks like a motor trike maybe.

 

[tourman]

IMO they're asking to much for that old of set up. I think you can get it for much less

 

[cScjhb]

IMO they're asking to much for that old of set up. I think you can get it for much less

........

 

[CrystalPistol]

Have you seen it run yet? I like 1200s, but the last one was built in 1987 &they had electronics. How mechanically inclined are you? I know it's easy to get attached to one a person has owned long term, the initial costs sticks in mind, the fun, etc … but I agree, it seems overpriced for today's market. To me, the lack of reverse is no big deal as I just choose parking and paddle with my feet, and if I must push harder, it's easier to push a trike than a bike as no effort is needed to keep it up while doing it.

I too think it's a MT looking at fenders, and if so, likely Ford rear and ladder bars.

1200s will rack up high miles, likely as high as any but they were made only 4 years and not the 13 of the 1500s and 20 years of the 1800s, they have 4 carbs and a 7,500 rpm redline too where as a 1500 redlines at 5,500 rpm, same gearing, but the result is the 1500 has more low end grunt where the 1200 likes higher rpms. I said … and still feel that the 1200s and 1800s are in some ways better bikes, but 1500s make great trikes as they have the off idle grunt to start a heavier trike moving easier, JMHO. I can remember seeing 1200s often on rides & gatherings, but no more.

 

[cScjhb]

IMO they're asking to much for that old of set up. I think you can get it for much less

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I agree..... The 1200s were a great bike in their time. But old technology now. Not much of a market for them today. I had a 1200, 1500. & 3 1800s. Each bike was progressively better..... I think you can do better..... Jim

 

[paws]

You might want to consider parts availability for both the ‘Wing and the trike kit for a vehicle of that vintage....also whether or not you are mechanically inclined enough to do all the wrenching yourself. Its hard to find a mechanic anymore who knows what he is doing on an older bike..

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Sidecarbill]

If you have the mechanical ability, it doesn't sound bad to me. The fact that it's a real trike makes it worth looking into. You'll pay that much for an outrigger kit. If people think you can get a better deal for that money,maybe they can point you in the right direction. I never see anything that cheap around here.:Shrug:

 

[Rugrat5288]

I own a 95 1500 with a voyager kit now. 100k on it. I just want a solid axle as the voyager has not lived up to my expectations no matter how I fiddle with the setting of tires shocks and preload. Yes I have rebuilt a few harley motors and do most all of my own wrenching bike and car. I understand it is high in price. It started out at $6500 now $4400. If it is all mechanically sound what would be a reasonable price for the old bolt bucket?

 

[Rugrat5288]

If you have the mechanical ability, it doesn't sound bad to me. The fact that it's a real trike makes it worth looking into. You'll pay that much for an outrigger kit. If people think you can get a better deal for that money,maybe they can point you in the right direction. I never see anything that cheap around here.:Shrug:

its easier when you own a much nicer newer trike to see less value in the older bikes for sale. To me it sounded Like a decent

deal. I paid that for my voyager kit alone. If I could afford newer I’m sure I would probably feel that it was less of a good deal lol.

 

[rhino 2]

Whatever makes both the seller and the buyer happy

 

[Rugrat5288]

It is a motor trike kit.

 

[CrystalPistol]

I own a 95 1500 with a voyager kit now. 100k on it. I just want a solid axle as the voyager has not lived up to my expectations no matter how I fiddle with the setting of tires shocks and preload. Yes I have rebuilt a few harley motors and do most all of my own wrenching bike and car. I understand it is high in price. It started out at $6500 now $4400. If it is all mechanically sound what would be a reasonable price for the old bolt bucket?

Well, that makes sense. The voyager will not act like a three wheeled trike. It is basically putting training wheels on a still motorcycle, it doesn't let the bike lean to steer as a bike ne4eds to, and it doesn't keep it upright in a turn either, it lets it lean out which increases steering effort and requires more effort to sit the saddle. In gentle turns, not so bad as in harder turns. With the 1200, you'd want to do timing belts and there are those who would say invest in a poor boy alternator kit (I put a stator in mine in 1997, still in it with it's current owner). Doesn't look to have any fork modification.

As long as you don't mind doing the labor ... a 1200 makes a good ride. As long as you're not looking at resale 3 or 4 years from now but rather just fun riding returns, depending on finances, $4400 might not be so terrible. If a Motor Trike … the ladder bar setup is adjustable, it has a few heim joints, there are some here who can help with info on adjusting or replacement joints. The rear brakes on that era are Ford drum brakes, they work and all parts are easily sourced. The front U-joint will be Honda OEM, the rear a Ford style, likely a Moog 430.

If me, I'd remove the chrome front rotor covers & caliper covers, brakes work hard enough. Speaking of brakes, your 1500 has linked brakes with the left front caliper controlled by the rear foot operated master cylinder, on the 1200 it's the right front caliper tied in with the rear. I can't see the rear of the engine on sides, but if it has covers there I'd pull them off too. They hold heat in at the rear where the stator resides.

All said & done, $4400 would go a long way towards putting you on a GL1500 based trike maybe?

 

[Rugrat5288]

Thanks great info. Unfortunately the owner has had it since 2014 and not used it much. I’m sure it needs a going over. I actually love my voyager kit on the 95 when riding solo. Put the wife on the back and it sucks big time. Not even like the same machine. The whole reason for us having the trike is to go together. I have a z900rs I ride everywhere the wife doesn’t go. That being said if we put 1000 miles a year on a trike I would be amazed. Never go for more than a few hours ride. So I thought the older trike might be a good deal for us. I’m going to see if I can get any info on the original owner to see what they did to it.

 

[paws]

Kevin.. will the seller let you and the wife test ride it? That might be the answer for you. You might ask to do so....you don’t want to buy another that might be a bad ride for your Mrs.

 

[FRR]

If you can dig up some extra cash, I'd sure go with a new model