1992 Honda GL1500SE-M Gold Wing 'Anniversary Edition'

"Motorcycle or sci-fi fantasy?" was how Bike magazine greeted the arrival of Honda's GL1000 Gold Wing super tourer back in 1976. Fantastic it may have been, but a quarter of a century after its introduction the 'Wing is still going strong and enjoys a cult following worldwide. "Quite simply the most advanced motorcycle ever made," was Honda's preferred description, and given the mind-boggling specification - 1,000cc flat-four engine, water cooling, belt-driven overhead camshafts, shaft drive, triple disc brakes, etc - it was certainly complex if not, strictly speaking, that advanced. Nevertheless, the Gold Wing proved eminently capable of taking sales from both BMW and Harley-Davidson and looks set to remain a permanent feature of the Honda range. As owners began to fit more and more accessories - including trailers the size of small caravans - engine capacity was increased first to 1,100cc and then to 1,200cc to cope with the increasing demands for more power.

However, by the mid-1980s it had become apparent that further enlargement of the four-cylinder engine was impractical, and the way forward would be a 'six'. The first six-cylinder Gold Wing, the GL1500, made its public debut at the Cologne Motorcycle Show in 1987. All-enveloping bodywork was another standout feature, and the GL1500 boasted the lowest seat height yet for a Gold Wing. Another significant innovation was the provision of a 'reverse gear' using the starter motor, making the 'Wing - now larger and heavier than ever before - easier to back up.

The GL1500 Gold Wing offered here is an example of the 'Anniversary Edition', released to celebrate a decade of production in the USA (serial number 'GB 045'). The current odometer reading is 28,677 miles, while the accompanying service booklet shows that the Honda was originally supplied by Colin Appleyard. Its late owner purchased the Gold Wing from Jemspeedshop of Batley in January 2019. Not run upon purchase and dry stored since acquisition, the machine will need recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. No previous history is known.

The Gold Wing is offered from a private collection of motorcycles which were run regularly up to 2022 when the late owner's ill health prevented any further work or use. All of the machines were purchased from dealers and had been fully serviced prior to joining the collection. None have been ridden since they were confined to storage apart from a short trip to a local show where they were displayed. Accompanying documentation includes a V5C Registration Certificate; the 2019 purchase receipt; sundry bills; and some old MoTs (most recent expired October 2017).

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
Offered with key