Overview & Identification
Is # Overview, Identification & Full Specifications
This file is the top-level reference for the 2000 Honda GL1500 SE Gold Wing — the final-year, top-trim "Special Edition" of Honda's fourth-generation Gold Wing (the GL1500 series, built 1988–2000). The year-2000 SE is the last and most fully-equipped GL1500 ever made, carrying 25th-Anniversary badging to mark 25 years since the original 1975 GL1000. It is powered by a 1520 cc carbureted, liquid-cooled, SOHC flat-six with a 5-speed gearbox, electric reverse, and shaft final drive. This document covers model history, trim differences, identification (VIN, model code, frame/engine number locations, year-2000 colors), and a complete top-level specification table, with pointers to the other system files.
Model History — GL1500 Gold Wing (1988–2000)¶
The GL1500 was Honda's fourth-generation Gold Wing, introduced for the 1988 model year as the successor to the flat-four GL1200. It was the first Gold Wing with the now-iconic 1520 cc horizontally-opposed (flat) six-cylinder engine and the first to be offered with a full factory "bagger/tourer" body as standard. The entire GL1500 generation was assembled at Honda's Marysville Motorcycle Plant, Ohio, USA. It ran for 13 model years (longer than any earlier Gold Wing generation) and was replaced by the fuel-injected GL1800 for 2001.
What changed, year by year¶
| Year(s) | Key changes |
|---|---|
| 1988 | GL1500 launched (model code SC22). Single, fully-equipped model. Brakes: dual 285 mm front discs, single 285 mm rear ⚠️ (early-disc sizes — confirm against service manual). |
| 1989 | Brake discs revised; minor running changes. Front/rear discs grew to 296 mm front / 316 mm rear by 1989–90 ⚠️ (year of the disc-size change is reported as 1989 by some sources, 1990 by others — confirm). |
| 1990 | Carburetors and camshafts revised for better drivability and reduced noise. First "SE" (Special Edition) appears — a 15th-Anniversary model. |
| 1991 | Three-model lineup established: Interstate (new entry model — reverse, cruise, air compressor and premium audio deleted; seat lowered ~20 mm / 0.8 in; ~18 kg / 40 lb lighter), Aspencade (mid), SE (top). SE gains chrome front garnish/grill; SE & Aspencade get gold cam-cover emblems and chrome rotor covers. |
| 1995 | 20th-Anniversary badges; new chrome screen garnish; slimmer side panels and a thinner/narrower seat for an easier reach to the ground; suspension revisions that slightly lowered ground clearance and seat height. |
| 1996 | Last year for the Interstate trim. The GL1500C Valkyrie cruiser (same engine family) launched. |
| 1997 | Engine/transmission/final-drive updates shared with the Valkyrie (clutch, mains, pistons, rings, valve springs, con-rod bolts, gearbox, shaft drive); switchgear updated. |
| 1998 | Styling makeover: clear headlight lens and clear indicators (US market), white-faced instruments, new "fishtail" exhaust tips, two-tone saddle with improved passenger backrest, redesigned rocker/valve covers with "1500" cast into them, more aggressive badging. |
| 1999 | Running changes; lineup is Aspencade + SE. |
| 2000 | Final GL1500 year. Reverted to black-faced instruments (the white faces were unpopular). SE got chrome-plated rocker/valve covers. 25th-Anniversary gold emblems (US & Canada) on trunk, chrome fairing garnish above the headlight, and the console. New two-tone color options. Replaced by GL1800 for 2001. |
Trim levels — Interstate vs. Aspencade vs. SE¶
For 1991–1996 the GL1500 was sold in three trims; for 1997–2000 (after the Interstate was dropped) only Aspencade and SE remained.
| Feature | Interstate (1991–96) | Aspencade | SE (Special Edition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric reverse | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | Yes | Yes |
| On-board air compressor (suspension) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Passenger floorboards | No (foot pegs instead) | Yes | Yes (2-way adjustable) |
| Audio system | Small/basic radio | AM/FM + cassette, front speakers | Premium AM/FM/cassette, 4 speakers (front + rear) |
| CB radio | No | Optional add-on | Standard (40-channel) |
| Rider/passenger intercom | No | Yes ⚠️ (confirm — intercom availability varied) | Yes |
| Paint | Single color | Single color | Two-tone |
| Trunk spoiler with integrated brake light | No | No | Yes |
| Windshield/fairing adjustable vents | No | No | Yes |
| Lighted (illuminated) handlebar switches | No | No | Yes |
| Foot-warmer vents (rider) | No | No | Yes |
| Cornering lights / lighted saddlebag & trunk side markers | No | Reflectors only | Lit |
| Approx. dry weight | ~349 kg (770 lb) ⚠️ | ~364 kg (802 lb) | ~370–372 kg (816–820 lb) |
The SE was roughly 15% more expensive than the Aspencade. "SE" = Special Edition (some Honda literature also calls it the "Special Equipment" model). It is the most fully-featured GL1500 trim.
What makes the year-2000 SE special¶
- Final model year of the entire GL1500 line — the end of the carbureted, flat-six 1500 era.
- 25th-Anniversary edition: gold-plated 25th-Anniversary emblems (US/Canada models) on the trunk, a chrome fairing garnish above the headlight, and a console badge.
- Chrome rocker/valve covers (a 2000-only SE cue) and a return to black-faced instruments.
- Top-trim equipment: electric reverse, on-board air compressor with air-adjustable front fork and rear shock, hydraulic clutch, linked braking, 40-channel CB, rider/passenger intercom, cruise control, four-speaker premium audio, two-tone paint, adjustable fairing vents, foot warmers, lighted switchgear, and a trunk spoiler with integrated brake light.
Identification¶
VIN structure and decoding¶
GL1500s sold in North America carry a 17-character VIN beginning 1HFSC22…. The VIN is built to the standard motorcycle VIN convention:
| Position | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Country of manufacture — 1 = USA (Marysville, Ohio) |
| 2 | H | Manufacturer — Honda |
| 3 | F | Vehicle type — Motorcycle |
| 4–6 | SC22 | Model / engine designation (Honda model code): S = 900 cc-and-larger class, C = street bike, 22 = GL1500. (Honda commonly refers to the GL1500 family by the code SC22.) ⚠️ The exact split of these three characters between "model" and "engine" varies by source — treat the prefix 1HFSC22 as the reliable GL1500 marker. |
| 7–8 | varies | Body/trim and engine-detail codes ⚠️ (trim-specific codes differ between SE/Aspencade and by year — confirm against the VIN plate). |
| 9 | check | Check digit (computed; validates the VIN). |
| 10 | Y | Model year — Y = 2000 (X = 1999, 1 = 2001). |
| 11 | varies | Assembly plant. |
| 12–17 | digits | Sequential production / serial number. |
- A complete year-2000 VIN therefore looks like
1HFSC22?xYx?nnnnn, where position 10 isY. - The engine and frame serial numbers were never intended by Honda to match exactly; if the engine and frame numbers are "close" and within the expected range, the engine/frame pairing is likely original.
Model code¶
- Honda model code: SC22 (covers the GL1500 Gold Wing family). Year/trim suffix letters were used in parts catalogs (e.g. Aspencade GL1500AY = 2000; SE = GL1500SE; the 2000 year-letter is Y).
Frame number (VIN) location¶
- Stamped on the steering head / steering stem on the right side of the frame neck (upper right of the front-fork neck). On the GL1500 you will typically see
SC22-XXXXXXXstamped here. - A duplicate VIN/data plate is mounted on the frame under the right-side shelter/cover (same number).
- A color/trim label (paint code) is also affixed to the frame — see Year-2000 colors below.
Engine number location¶
- Stamped on the engine block / crankcase (a code of letters and numbers). ⚠️ Exact stamping location on the GL1500 case is not fully confirmed here — confirm against the factory service manual (commonly on the upper crankcase, near the starter/transmission area on flat-six Hondas).
Year-2000 colors & trim¶
The SE used two-tone paint; the Aspencade was single-color. Reported 2000 color offerings (across Aspencade/SE) include:
- Pearl Coronado Blue / Dark Coronado Blue
- Candy Spectra Red / Candy Garnet Red
- Pearl Merced Green / Dark Merced Green
- Pearl Blue / Pearl Dark Blue (new two-tone for 2000)
- Pearl White / Pearl Gray Green (new two-tone for 2000)
⚠️ The exact set of colors offered specifically on the 2000 SE (vs. Aspencade), and the official Honda paint codes, vary between sources — confirm the paint code on your bike's color label against a Honda parts catalog. (The factory paint code is the authoritative identifier for touch-up paint.)
Full Specifications (2000 GL1500 SE)¶
Units are given in both metric and imperial. Where two figures disagree between sources, the most authoritative (Honda owner's/service manual) value is given first and the discrepancy is flagged.
Engine¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed flat-six ("boxer six"), SOHC, 2 valves/cyl |
| Valve train | Single overhead cam driven by toothed timing belts (one per bank); hydraulic valve lash adjusters — no manual valve clearance adjustment required |
| Displacement | 1520 cc (92.7 cu in) |
| Bore × stroke | 71 × 64 mm (2.8 × 2.5 in) |
| Compression ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled; coolant capacity 4.1 L (3.6 Imp qt / 4.3 US qt) |
| Fuel system | Carbureted — two 36 mm Keihin CV carburetors feeding all six cylinders (NOT fuel-injected) |
| Ignition / starting | Electronic ignition; electric start |
| Idle speed | 800 ± 80 rpm |
| Spark plugs (standard) | NGK DPR7EA-9 / ND X22EPR-U9; gap 0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.036 in) |
| Spark plugs (cold, below 5 °C/41 °F) | NGK DPR6EA-9 / ND X20EPR-U9 |
| Spark plugs (sustained high-speed) | NGK DPR8EA-9 / ND X24EPR-U9 |
See Engine & Cooling and Tune-up & Maintenance for details. ⚠️ Sibling-file names are placeholders — adjust links to match the actual filenames in this folder.
Performance¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Max power | 74–75 kW (≈100 hp / 100 PS) @ 5200 rpm (Japan-market: ~97 hp @ 5000 rpm) |
| Max torque | 150 N·m (110–111 ft·lb) @ 4000 rpm |
| Top speed | ⚠️ Reported 159–193 km/h (99–120 mph) — sources disagree widely; a realistic governed/practical top speed for a fully-faired SE is around 160–180 km/h (100–112 mph). Confirm; treat 120 mph claims with skepticism. |
| 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) | ≈ 5.3 s ⚠️ (single-source — unverified) |
| Fuel economy | ≈ 7.2–7.5 L/100 km (31–40 US mpg); owners typically report ≈ 38–42 US mpg on the highway |
Transmission & final drive¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate, hydraulically actuated |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual |
| Reverse | Electric reverse (starter-motor driven) — standard on SE |
| Final drive | Shaft (driveshaft) |
| Final reduction ratio | 2.833 ⚠️ (single-source — confirm against service manual) |
See Clutch & Transmission and Final Drive & Driveshaft. ⚠️ Filenames placeholder.
Chassis, suspension & steering¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Frame | Tubular steel double-cradle |
| Front suspension | Air-adjustable anti-dive telescopic fork; travel ≈ 140 mm (5.5 in) ⚠️ (travel figure single-source — confirm) |
| Rear suspension | Air-adjustable Pro-Link single shock; travel ≈ 105 mm (4.1 in) ⚠️ (single-source — confirm) |
| Air assist | On-board air compressor adjusts both front and rear (standard on SE/Aspencade) |
| Caster (rake) | 30° |
| Trail | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
See Suspension & Air System. ⚠️ Filename placeholder.
Brakes (Linked / Combined Braking System)¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| System | Honda LBS/CBS linked (combined) braking — front lever and rear pedal each actuate a blend of front and rear |
| Front | Dual 296 mm discs, 2-piston calipers |
| Rear | Single 316 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| ABS | Not fitted to the GL1500 ⚠️ (confirm — no ABS on GL1500; ABS came later on the GL1800) |
See Brakes (LBS/CBS). ⚠️ Filename placeholder.
Wheels & tires¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Front tire | 130/70-18 (63H) |
| Rear tire | 160/80-16 (75H) |
| Cold tire pressure | ⚠️ Typically front ~250 kPa / 2.5 bar (36 psi), rear ~280 kPa / 2.8 bar (40 psi), higher rear with passenger/load — confirm exact figures on the swingarm/chain-guard decal or service manual; pressures vary with load. |
See Wheels & Tires. ⚠️ Filename placeholder.
Dimensions¶
| Spec | Value (owner's-manual base figure) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 2630 mm (103.5 in) | Some sources give 2615 mm (103.0 in) ⚠️ |
| Overall width | 955 mm (37.6 in) | |
| Overall height | 1525 mm (60.0 in) | Some sources give 1495 mm (58.9 in) — differs with windshield/year ⚠️ |
| Wheelbase | 1700 mm (66.9 in) | Commonly rounded to 1690 mm (66.5 in) in spec sheets ⚠️ |
| Ground clearance | 140 mm (5.5 in) | Post-1995 spec sheets often list 115 mm (4.5 in) after the lowered-suspension revisions ⚠️ — the year-2000 SE is most likely the lower figure; confirm. |
| Seat height | 740 mm (29.1 in) | Owner's-manual generic GL1500 lists 763 mm (30.1 in); the lowered 1995+ seat is ~740 mm (29.1 in) ⚠️ |
⚠️ Dimension sources conflict because figures changed across the production run (notably the 1995 seat/suspension lowering) and because some catalogs quote the bare Aspencade vs. the fully-faired SE. The values above pair the Honda owner's-manual base figures with the commonly-quoted 2000-era spec-sheet alternatives. Confirm the exact year-2000 SE dimensions against the factory service manual.
Weights & capacities¶
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry weight (SE) | ≈ 370–372 kg (816–820 lb) | SE is the heaviest trim. Generic GL1500 owner's manual dry weight: 366 kg (807 lb); Aspencade ~364 kg (802 lb); Interstate ~349 kg (770 lb). |
| Curb / wet weight (SE, 2000) | ≈ 405 kg (893 lb) — 49-state; ≈ 406 kg (895 lb) — California | Per Honda repair-manual curb figures ⚠️ (confirm exact wet weight; full tank + all fluids). |
| GVWR (max permissible) | ⚠️ Not confirmed in researched sources — confirm against the VIN/data plate or owner's manual. Max load (rider+passenger+cargo) is listed as 185 kg (408 lb). | |
| Fuel tank | 24.0 L (5.3 Imp gal / 6.3 US gal) | Spec sheets often round to 23 L / 6.1 US gal ⚠️; manual value 24.0 L is authoritative. Reserve ⚠️ confirm (no separate petcock reserve on later carbureted GL1500 — low-fuel warning instead). |
| Engine oil (after draining) | 3.5 L (3.1 Imp qt / 3.7 US qt) | With filter change, plan on ≈ 3.7–4.0 L (≈ 3.9–4.0 US qt) since the filter holds ~0.5 qt. |
| Coolant (cooling system) | 4.1 L (3.6 Imp qt / 4.3 US qt) | |
| Final-drive gear oil (after draining) | 140 cm³ (4.9 Imp oz / 4.7 US oz) | Hypoid gear oil — see Final Drive ⚠️ filename placeholder. |
Electrical¶
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| System | 12 V |
| Alternator output | 550 W @ 5000 rpm ⚠️ (single-source — confirm) |
| Battery | 12 V, 20 Ah ⚠️ (commonly a YB16-series/equivalent; confirm exact part) |
See Electrical System and Audio / CB / Intercom. ⚠️ Filenames placeholder.
Index — other system files in this set¶
⚠️ The filenames below are a suggested index for this documentation set. Update each link to the actual file present in the Goldwing-GL1500-SE-2000/ folder.
- 01 — Routine Maintenance Schedule
- 02 — Fluids, Capacities & Lubricants
- 03 — Tune-up & Adjustments
- 04 — Engine & Cooling System
- 05 — Fuel System & Carburetors
- 06 — Clutch & Transmission
- 07 — Final Drive & Driveshaft
- 08 — Wheels & Tires
- 09 — Suspension & Air System
- 10 — Brakes (LBS/CBS Linked Braking)
- 11 — Electrical System & Charging
- 12 — Lighting & Switchgear
- 13 — Cruise Control
- 14 — Electric Reverse
- 15 — Bodywork, Fairing & Trunk/Saddlebags
- 16 — Audio, CB Radio & Intercom
- 17 — Common Failures & Troubleshooting
- 18 — Recalls & TSBs
- 19 — Torque Specifications
- 20 — Wiring Diagrams
Sources¶
- ultimatespecs.com — 2000 Honda GL1500 SE Gold Wing technical specs: https://www.ultimatespecs.com/motorcycles-specs/honda/honda-gl-1500-se-gold-wing-2000
- bikez.com — 2000 Honda GL1500 SE Gold Wing specs: https://bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_gl_1500_se_gold_wing_2000.php
- motorcyclespecs.co.za — Honda GLX 1500 Gold Wing (1998): https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_glx_1500_98.html
- Honda GL1500 Owner's Manual — Specifications page (ManualsLib): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/598692/Honda-Goldwing-Gl1500.html?page=111
- Honda GL1500 Owner's Manual — Fuel page (ManualsLib): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/598692/Honda-Goldwing-Gl1500.html?page=32
- Honda GL1500 Service Manual — Timing belt removal (ManualsLib): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/817941/Honda-Goldwing-Gl1500.html?page=167
- Wikipedia — Honda Gold Wing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Gold_Wing
- BikesWiki — Honda GL1500 Gold Wing: https://bikeswiki.com/Honda_GL1500_Gold_Wing
- Total Motorcycle Buyers Guide — GL1500 / Interstate / SE / Aspencade: https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Honda-GoldWing-GL1500-GL1500I-GWInterstate-GL1500SE-GL1500A-Aspencade/
- Goldwing Misfits — Goldwing 1500 History: https://www.goldwingmisfits.co.uk/goldwing-1500-history/
- goldwingdocs.com — VIN code thread: https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=54334
- goldwingowners.com — "Understanding your Gold Wing" / VIN (SC22) discussion: https://www.goldwingowners.com/threads/understanding-your-gold-wing.132549/
- Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums — GL1500 frame & engine number location: https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/gl1500-frame-and-engine-numbers-location.399698/
- Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums — GL1500 weight: https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/gl1500-weight.491193/
- Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums — 2000 GL1500 Anniversary Edition: https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/2000-honda-goldwing-gl1500-anniversary-edition.670760/
- BTQ LLC — Motorcycle/ATV VIN 10th-digit model-year chart: https://btqllc.com/blogs/news/motorcycle-atv-vin-decoder-what-the-10th-digit-tells-you-about-the-model-year-1980-2030-chart
- Bennetts BikeSocial — Honda GL1500 Gold Wing (1988–2000) review/buying guide: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/honda/gl1500-goldwing-1988-used
- MaintenanceSchedule.com — Honda Gold Wing GL1500 maintenance (hydraulic tappets note): https://maintenanceschedule.com/honda-gold-wing-gl1500-maintenance/
- motorbikecatalog.com — 2000 Honda GL1500 series SC22 range / SE detail: https://www.motorbikecatalog.com/moto/2000/183560/honda_gl1500_gold_wing_se.html
⚠️ Items to Verify¶
- Top speed — sources range from 159 km/h (99 mph) to 193 km/h (120 mph). Confirm the realistic figure; the 120 mph claim looks high for a fully-faired SE.
- Dimensions — overall length (2615 vs 2630 mm), height (1495 vs 1525 mm), wheelbase (1690 vs 1700 mm), ground clearance (115 vs 140 mm) and seat height (740 vs 763 mm) differ between owner's-manual generic figures and 2000-era spec sheets, partly due to the 1995 lowering revisions. Confirm exact year-2000 SE dimensions against the factory service manual.
- Weights — SE dry weight (370 vs 372 kg / 816 vs 820 lb) and curb/wet weight (≈405 kg / 893 lb) should be confirmed against the Honda service manual; GVWR not found — read it off the VIN/data plate.
- Fuel capacity — 24.0 L (6.3 US gal) per manual vs. 23 L (6.1 US gal) on some spec sheets; confirm whether the late carbureted GL1500 has a usable petcock reserve or only a low-fuel warning.
- Tire pressures — exact front/rear cold pressures (and load-dependent values) must be confirmed on the bike's decal / service manual.
- VIN positions 7, 8, 9, 11 — exact trim/engine/plant coding not fully decoded here; verify against the actual VIN plate.
- Engine-number stamping location on the GL1500 crankcase — confirm against the service manual.
- Brake disc-size change year (1989 vs 1990) and 1988 early disc sizes — confirm.
- Suspension travel (front ~140 mm, rear ~105 mm), final reduction ratio (2.833), alternator output (550 W) and battery (12 V 20 Ah) — each currently single-source; confirm against the factory service manual.
- ABS — GL1500 has linked braking but (believed) no ABS; confirm.
- Intercom availability per trim/year, and the precise 2000 SE color list + Honda paint codes — confirm against a Honda parts catalog and your bike's color label.
- 0–60 mph (≈5.3 s) figure is single-source — treat as approximate.
- Cross-reference sibling file names in the index once the rest of the set is written; the links above are placeholders.