Goldwing service

[FJRay]

I am in the process of doing a major service on a GL1800 Honda. I usually don't bash other makes but it seems They went out of their way to make this a real pain to do all the fluids. The easy part is the valve check, after that if you don't have the book you better quit. It takes hours to dig through all the plastic to find the air filter. I haven't seen it yet but I am getting closer. You also have to remove the guage covers, all the audio controls, fairing pockets,ECU, cruise control and a bunch of stuff I can't identify just to get to the air box.

The whole lower front has to come off along with emissions crap just to bleed the clutch, a 5 minute job on the FJR. I won't bore you with the rest of the saga but I will never complain about service on the FJR again. I still may own a wing someday but not until I can afford to have some of the service done buy a reputable dealer or specialty shop. Rant over. :dribble:

 

[rushes]

I've heard a them goldwings...

Sposed ta be purdy nice bikes...

:dntknw:

 

[escapefjrtist]

So Ray, when you adding one to the stable?

--G

 

[exskibum]

I am in the process of doing a major service on a GL1800 Honda.
* * *

Rant over.

Back when I was 19 and 20, I worked in a gas station in which the owner was a really good mechanic. Hard scrabble ole fart who had done lots of time in the middle east working on heavy equipment, rolled his own cigarettes and had acquired the habit of drinking his beer warm (which kept us out of it, too). Anytime he had something in the bays that he thought any of us hadn't seen before, he'd ask if we'd done it before and then show us step by step how it was done as he worked.

Anyway, when he'd run into a vehicle like you're ranting about, Ray (one not built with maintenance in mind), he used to bust me up laughing at his cursing that usually included this refrain: "******* automotive engineers who designed this oughta be castrated so their sons and daughters can't do the same thing!"

I'm sure he's long gone now, so -- RIP, Mike Beck -- you were a great boss.

 

[MCRIDER007]

It takes hours to dig through all the plastic to find the air filter. I haven't seen it yet but I am getting closer. You also have to remove the guage covers, all the audio controls, fairing pockets,ECU, cruise control and a bunch of stuff I can't identify just to get to the air box.

If you think that getting to the air box is bad then you should keep going and replace the greatly under sprung (and probably worn out) rear shock. GL1800 riders think they have good suspension but it isn't nearly as good as a FJR...of course anything can be fixed and Traxxion has a $2500 solution for the GL1800's suspension woes.

 

[madmike2]

Okay, Ray, now that you've gotten that off your chest........

[SIZE=12pt]Back to work![/SIZE] :yahoo:

 

[FJRay]

It takes hours to dig through all the plastic to find the air filter. I haven't seen it yet but I am getting closer. You also have to remove the guage covers, all the audio controls, fairing pockets,ECU, cruise control and a bunch of stuff I can't identify just to get to the air box.

If you think that getting to the air box is bad then you should keep going and replace the greatly under sprung (and probably worn out) rear shock. GL1800 riders think they have good suspension but it isn't nearly as good as a FJR...of course anything can be fixed and Traxxion has a $2500 solution for the GL1800's suspension woes.

You are right. I have been down that road and it is a nightmare. I didn't think getting to the air filter would be as bad. I just finished doing the final drive oil and its not bad after you get the f@#%ing mufler off that is rusted in place.

Okay, Ray, now that you've gotten that off your chest........
[SIZE=12pt]Back to work![/SIZE] :yahoo:

Up Yours Mike.

 

[madmike2]

It takes hours to dig through all the plastic to find the air filter. I haven't seen it yet but I am getting closer. You also have to remove the guage covers, all the audio controls, fairing pockets,ECU, cruise control and a bunch of stuff I can't identify just to get to the air box.

If you think that getting to the air box is bad then you should keep going and replace the greatly under sprung (and probably worn out) rear shock. GL1800 riders think they have good suspension but it isn't nearly as good as a FJR...of course anything can be fixed and Traxxion has a $2500 solution for the GL1800's suspension woes.

You are right. I have been down that road and it is a nightmare. I didn't think getting to the air filter would be as bad. I just finished doing the final drive oil and its not bad after you get the f@#%ing mufler off that is rusted in place.

Okay, Ray, now that you've gotten that off your chest........
[SIZE=12pt]Back to work![/SIZE] :yahoo:

Up Yours Mike.

Welllll....everyone else may not know that your computer is in the heated workshop. I knew you were taking a break....soooo.....

heh-heh-heh-heh-heh :rofl:

 

[Crash Cash]

You can't be working on a Honda! You haven't mentioned the 5 special tools you needed to buy!!

Seriously, I love Honda, but Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick, they loves their special tools. And given the simple or the "cool" way to design something, they'll pick the "cool way" every time. When I heard about the NR-750's oval-piston engine, I thought "oh yeah, that's classic Honda"

You might also want to grab a copy of the "Honda Motorcycle Common Service Manual" p/n 61CM001 - it's a gold mine, and it's not Honda-specific or even model-specific, plus it makes great reading when you're on the pooper.

 

[Zorlac]

So I guess I should tell my buddy with a GL1800 trike to forget about looking for mice nests in the airbox and just take it to the dealer?

I already repaired chewed turn signal wires on his Honda Reflex last year.

I reminded him he should check all his bikes after I found acorn hulls & dried mouse piss in my FJR air cleaner last week. I need some hardware cloth over that air intake scoop, hopefully the GW has something there to keep them out!

 

[FJRay]

So I guess I should tell my buddy with a GL1800 trike to forget about looking for mice nests in the airbox and just take it to the dealer?I already repaired chewed turn signal wires on his Honda Reflex last year.

I reminded him he should check all his bikes after I found acorn hulls & dried mouse piss in my FJR air cleaner last week. I need some hardware cloth over that air intake scoop, hopefully the GW has something there to keep them out!

If he gets the book ( I got the big one from clymer and its pretty good) and is very carefull with the platic he will be ok. there is a ton of electrical that needs to be disconected and it all has to be done in order. I am waiting for the new filter before I open up the air box so I can put it right back together. So far I havent seen anything to keep critters out.