Honda GL1000 with Motorvation Formula II custom resto mod build

Mike in Alabama · 2026-08-01T02:35:06Z

I am new to this group, but glad to find a Sidecar forum that seems to have some long term history as well as good info. I am a 50 year rider of just about anything, mostly large tour bikes. Sidecars is a new approach for me, along with also trying trikes, both as aging health issues says its time and I really have no desire to quit motorcycling. Ive been lurking about for a few years, doing lots of research and coming up with ideas for this build. A few years back my long time riding buddy gave me this 76 Gl1000 that he had bought new in 1976. When I got it, it had not run in about 36 years. 31k on the clock. I decided to take this bike down this path of the Sidecar approach as I wanted to do something with it different. Naturally the bike had to be taken down to the bare bones due to being stored for so long. New tank was ngle carbneeded, and if you can imagine it, its been done. BUT this is not just about resto, but also modern mod. My friend, long ago had converted it to a single car setup. A mod I personally have done a few times. The gl1000 purists of course not fond of this, but at the same time most are not fond of it because they don't know much about how to custom tune carbs. My friend was also a close acquaintance of Smoky Yunick back in the day....If you know, you know....if you dont you never will. I myself learning carb tuning as a young teen when that was just the type of stuff young men learned....Anyway, this one is a one of a kind heated manifold, weber 32/36 that runs great, and thats all I have to say about that. If your going to travel on a bike, many advancements have been made since the 70's that make travel much more reliable as well as still easy to work on. Electric fuel pumps, Electronic ignition and much higher voltage coils (Dyna S), Alternators. Mine has a custom GL poorboy conversion using a Geo alternator, putting out a constant 14+vdc and of course much higher wattage availability for what ever. All bulbs have been converted to LED, and I have completely rewired the bike to include a full relay/ fuse panel for near all devices. The OE harness still at its core, but where the OE was mainly just a few fuses and no relays to handle the loads, now all that is part of this bike. Audiovox Cruise control....gotta have that or a throttle lock if your gonna travel. Suspension is upgraded to Progressive both front and rear, and my friend had already put a more reliable and smoother GL1100 forks on it. Tires are tubeless running on very rare 7Star aluminum mag rims. GL1100 higher bars, and control converted over to GL1800 controls as there are lots of switches for many things that the 76 never had. As for the sidecar. I picked up a Motorvation FormulaII with electric camber control for $400 a few years back. Have already fully restored the frame and tilt motor assembly. I am still in the process of reworking the tub. BUT, im doing something with the tub that I've seen several talk about, over several SC forums, but nobody ever attempt to do....Convert it from a fixed tub to a tilt front tub....I enjoy doing things others say is impossible. This was not actually very hard to do, other than the design of the titling steel mechanism. All that I did I will share with pictures and try to explain as best I can. The tub it self was by design setup from day one to be either fixed or a 2 part. A top shell was glued to a bottom shell, then the seam sealed over with fiberglass. Splitting the two and cutting the access line was the easiest part of the build. Getting all the angles proper for the tilt function, that was where lots of math/physics/trial & error came into play. As for the mount for the GL1000. ALSO another subject for which there was very little info on the web. A few pictures here and there, as well as at least 1 company. DMC sidecar I think it was, that wanted a small fortune for a few plates. As stated have researched all this for a few years. I have followed John sweet on Facebook for a few years. John and his family having been in the SC building business since near the beginning of SC's. John shares everything there is to know about how to build SC's from scratch to anyone that wants to take the time and read his postings. Using his guides as well as pictures of GL1000's with SC's I created my own mounts using 3/8" plate steel. That info I also plan to share here with any future searches to find. Needless to say, after following his build advise as well as his info on how to setup Wheel lead, wheelbase, toe-in & camber. My very 1st trail ride just around out 10 acre field was perfect. So much so, I put more gear on and went for a 1 hr ride around our county. The rig handled perfectly. From there been getting serious busy on the tub/tilt build as well as the overall appearance of the complete rig. Well enough of a introduction about a build. Will soon follow with pics and details of the GL1000's mounts I built as I am about to remove all that for painting as the trial...

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Last Post by Mike in Alabama 27 minutes ago

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Mike in Alabama

(@mkc1962)

Posts: 53

Estimable Member

Topic starter

Posted by: @miles-ladue

↑

Mike, all 120 Stroopwaffles will make it to the PenNy Hackers Campout, because I have packed them away, not to be touched until Thursday afternoon.

Okay, you have busted my balls enough....you are now awarded a box of...Stroopwaffles. 😀

Once I get home from this trip, I will ship a box of 40 Stroopwaffles to you. They may each have a bite taken out of them....maybe.

LOL....not sure how much room 120 of those things would take, but thinking a sidecar does come in handy. No ball busting intended.

Yep I do plan to try them one day....do be safe as you travel, hopefully we will meet at another event, stroppwaffles and all.

Mike
1976 Honda GL1000 & Motorvation Formula II
2009 Honda GL1800 Roadsmith
2022 MotoGuzzi V85TT

Posted : September 15, 2026 10:16 pm

Mike in Alabama

(@mkc1962)

Posts: 53

Estimable Member

Topic starter

All bike stuff now done except new custom saddle and refinishing the samsonite bags. Both are still in nice shape, but I do want to refinish them for the entire package restoration. all the shiny bits back on and time to get ready to attach the side car and all its newness....A few posts back when I recreated my rear top SC mount, a few commented/wondered how it's odd design would blend in once finished....I think, very nicely.

can you find my shop supervisor in photo2?....our young "Ollie" always under or around the rig while I am working on it. He seems very fascinated, Im hoping he takes to being a passenger in the SC as much as he enjoys riding in the truck, back of my trike around the property, and our sxs.