Do you ride a Honda Goldwing and want to know which carburettor belongs on it? Or are you unsure during an overhaul which set you need? Then this overview is for you. The Goldwing series used several carburettor types over the years, and they can differ by model year. Correct identification is important for good maintenance, a reliable-running engine and a proper overhaul. Below you'll find the complete, clear schedule of all the carburettor Goldwings, from the first GL1000 to the last carburettor GL1500.
Overview by model and year
Here are all the carburettor models at a glance. That makes it easy to work out quickly which set you or your customer has.
GL1000 · 1975 to 1979
- Keihin 771 series (A/B/C)
- Four individual carburettors on a shared plenum
The first-generation Goldwing is known for its robust but technically sensitive set. Common issues are air leaks, dirty jets and differences in synchronisation.
GL1100 · 1980 to 1983
- Keihin 779 series (A/B/C)
- A further development of the GL1000 set
- Still four carburettors that need to work in sync
Here you can see which carburettor belongs to which year:
- 1980 GL1100: Keihin 779A
- 1981 GL1100: Keihin 779B
- 1982-1983 GL1100: Keihin 779C
The differences between the A, B and C series lie in internal settings and small technical improvements. For a proper overhaul it's essential to know which variant your bike has.
GL1200 · 1984 to 1987
- Keihin 805 series
- More compact design and more emissions control
The GL1200's carburettors are technically more complex, but they tune up beautifully when they're in good condition. Good to know: the 1988-1989 models do exist, but by then Honda had largely switched to fuel injection. The carburettor era really does end in 1987.
GL1500 · 1988 to 1996 (carburettors)
- Keihin 36 mm constant-vacuum set
- Known for its smooth and quiet running
In some countries the GL1500 partly moved to PGM-FI from 1997, but in Europe the carburettor version remained the norm until the end of production. This set is often unfairly underrated, yet it does an excellent job when it's technically sound.
Quick overview · all the carburettor Goldwings at a glance
- GL1000: 1975-1979
- GL1100: 1980-1983
- GL1200: 1984-1987
- GL1500: 1988-1996 (carbs)
This schedule is handy when planning an overhaul, ordering parts or diagnosing symptoms.
Why knowing your carburettor type matters
Each Keihin series uses different jets, diaphragms, gaskets and settings. The wrong gasket set or incorrect settings will quickly cause problems such as rough idle, hesitation or high fuel consumption.
That's why Carburateur Service Nederland · your carburettor specialists in the Netherlands · always checks:
- The exact type number
- The model year and the correct settings
- Whether all the carburettors within the set match
- The condition of the float, diaphragm and spindles
- The synchronisation across the complete bank
This is essential for a smooth, reliable-running Goldwing.
Specialists in Honda Goldwing overhauls
We overhaul every carburettor version of the Goldwing:
- GL1000
- GL1100 (779A/B/C)
- GL1200 (805 series)
- GL1500 (carbs up to 1996)
What we do:
- Complete disassembly and ultrasonic cleaning
- Inspection of all wear parts
- Reassembly with high-quality overhaul parts
- Precise synchronisation
- Setting up to factory specifications
That leaves the complete carburettor bank in fine shape again: clean, properly set up and synchronised.
