Honda Gold Wing GL1500 Motorcycles

1988 GL1500’88

• 1988 was one of the most significant years for Honda with the introduction of a six-cylinder powerplant
• In many ways it was the natural evolution of the Gold Wing; however the progression to this model made it significantly different
• While all the previous Wings had been made in the United States, some, this year, were made in Japan at the Hamamatsu factory
• Colors:
  • Dynastic Blue Metallic with Pewter Gray Metallic
  • Phantom Gray Metallic with Checker Black Metallic
  • Martini Beige Metallic with Haze Brown Metallic
• It featured front disc brake covers in gray plastic, dual headlights, computer-monitored dual downdraft carburetors, and a slow-speed reverse gear system
• The engine was a 1520cc SOHC liquid-cooled opposed 6 cylinder
• The transmission was a 5-speed with shaft drive
• The frame serial number (i.e., VIN) for Japanese made Wings for California began: JH2SC2217JM000001 and for the rest of the U.S. began: JH2SC2208JM000001
• The frame serial number (i.e., VIN) for American made Wings for California began: 1HFSC2217JA000001 and for the rest of the U.S. began: 1HFSC2208JA000001
• The engine numbers whether made for California or the rest of the U.S. (all made in Japan) began: SC22E-2000101.

1989 GL1500’89

• The second year for the GL1500 saw a change in that all Wings were built exclusively in the U.S
• Colors:
  • Martini Beige Metallic with Haze Brown Metallic
  • Candy Wineberry Red with Burgundy Red Metallic
  • Commodore Blue Green Metallic with Triton Blue Metallic
• The bike did not significantly differ from 1988 except the front brake cover was color coordinated on the green and beige units
• The red one kept the gray plastic of 1988
• The rear trunk emblem which read “1500/6” was deleted
• The VIN number for California began: 1HFSC220*KA100001 while the rest of the U.S. models began: 1HFSC221*KA100001. (The * is a control checksum number)
• The engine numbers began SC22E-2100101.

1990 GL1500’90

• Again the 1990 model was very similar to the 1988 and 1989 models
• Colors:
  • Candy Wineberry Red with Rime Gray Metallic
  • Carmel Blue Metallic with Snow Shadow Gray Metallic
• The front brake cover was color coordinated on both the red and blue units
• The VIN number for California began: 1HFSC220*LA200001 while the rest of the U.S models began: 1HFSC221*LA200001
• (The * is a control checksum number)
• The engine numbers began SC22E-2200101