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The making of the GL1800 phase 4

From full-size clay models to the open road.

Full-Size Clay Model

Designing the Gold Wing is a process unlike any other utilized on a Honda motorcycle. In some respects, it resembles the design effort required for an automobile. Clay modeling allows the team to carefully detail exterior and interior aspects of the Gold Wing, thereby improving its final production quality.

Full-size clay model

Several months after numerous 3-D sketches and clay model components are created, a full-size clay model is undertaken. At this stage, the surface finish is checked and factory team members provide input that further improves the accuracy of the 3-D design drawings with an eye toward
simplified manufacturing and overall production quality. In the case of the Gold Wing, not only is an exterior clay model built, so is a complete interior model for the cockpit and instrument panel.

Next, a sales meeting between the design team and American Honda's top management checks the clay model and confirms the direction of the full-size clay design. While many detail refinements remain, an agreement is reached to proceed with a final clay mock-up model.

Mock-Up Clay Model

Several months later, the final clay mock-up is completed. The design team has made remarkable progress in just over a year, having completed two 1/8-scale models, a full-size clay model and a final clay mock-up, as well as the user surveys necessary to confirm the team's design direction.

Final clay model

One and one-half years before the Gold Wing's announcement, mock-up colors are evaluated by user surveys in Ohio and Southern California. Six months later, the design team and American Honda select final colors. A final user survey confirms the color selections.

Pearl Blue            Illusion Red          Pearl Yellow         Black

Conclusion

The styling design story of the 2001 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing is a testament to the passionate dedication of each and every team member. It also speaks highly of a working environment that balances the contribution of individual designers with the collaborative commitment required of a team. In the case of the new Gold Wing, the result is a luxurious motorcycle with a truly athletic persona. For touring riders everywhere, let the revolution begin.

Courtesy of American Honda Motor Company.

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