An afternoon in the shed.

[Dragonstaff]

After an oil and filter change, along with the usual checks and a clean and re-oil for the K&N air filter yesterday, and a quick, 70km, run into town for milk and a few bits for the Mrs, today she got a bath.

It doesn't happen often, because the dirt road would have me doing nothing else if I let it.

[pault]

found 4 litres of sump oil spilt in the shed, 6 pack to clean up

[Dragonstaff]

I decided today to get back to the Goldwing that I haven't touched for a year or two, when I managed to convince myself that I had forgotten to put fresh moly paste on the drive splines when I put the back wheel back in after getting tyres fitted. So, off with the top box and panniers, which means off with the seat so that the wiring can be unplugged. Then remove the lower shock mounting pins so that the axle can fall below the mufflers. It has been sitting for a while and the swingarm is a bit stiff, so tie the shockers up with a bit of mig wire so that I can lift and drop the wheel a bit.

Oh look, the wheel is on the floor but the axle still doesn't clear.

Out with the Supercheap bike lift and gingerly lift the bike until I can get a bit 70x45 pine under the centre stand, and let it down again. Bounce the swingarm a bit more and we have clearance. All of half a millimetre, but enough. Take the axle out. then let the left hand shock down so that the caliper will swing out of the way. Then remove the wheel. Easy-Peasy.

What is that I see? Fresh moly paste on the drive spline? And in the hub? I didn't forget it, huh!

Oh well, at least it went back together easily, and I know my bike lift still works.

That will teach me (maybe) not to leave things sitting for so long.

[West Aussie Glen]

I solved the problem of clearance between the muffler and the axle by using a piece of scaff tube and a four pound hammer. Now there is a nice curvature on the bottom of the muffler and the axle just slides out. My Honda should have done it.

[Biggles]

That will teach me (maybe) not to leave things sitting for so long.

and to keep records of all the maintenance you do.

That saga reminded me of one of the reasons I only kept my lovely Wing for 9 months.  Maintenance was a convoluted PITA.

[West Aussie Glen]

  Maintenance was a convoluted PITA.
[/quote]
Which maimtnace items are you referring to Bill?
How many kms did you do on it?

[Biggles]

Which maimtnace items are you referring to Bill?
How many kms did you do on it?

I did 7535 kms.
The maintenance item I didn't get to, but dreaded was the air filter.  I actually sold it before I needed to do an oil change, but I wasn't looking forward to it.  Apart from such items, which I am aware that you, as a long time afficionado of the marque, revel in, it was much more challenging than the ST1300 to do modifications such as adding lights and an air horn.  In a nutshell, it was just a lot more bike than I needed or wanted.  I loved the super-smooth engine and great torque- but the ST, although not in the same league, does it for me.  At least I don't have to stand around waiting for it to "boot" before I can read the ODO for my fuel records.

[West Aussie Glen]

I did 7535 kms.
The maintenance item I didn't get to, but dreaded was the air filter.  I actually sold it before I needed to do an oil change, but I wasn't looking forward to it.  Apart from such items, which I am aware that you, as a long time afficionado of the marque, revel in, it was much more challenging than the ST1300 to do modifications such as adding lights and an air horn.  In a nutshell, it was just a lot more bike than I needed or wanted.  I loved the super-smooth engine and great torque- but the ST, although not in the same league, does it for me.  At least I don't have to stand around waiting for it to "boot" before I can read the ODO for my fuel records.

Wing oil change is the same if not easier than the 1300. I agree with you about the boot time. I turn on the ignition as soon as I return to the bike or switch to accessories when I stop instead of off and that keeps the dash alive unfortunately also keeps the head lights on, but I can turn those off. Having to reactivate the GPS is the one that annoys me the most. The horns are great so although I have an air horn for mine will probably never install it. My first air filter was done when Honda did the airbag recall. STRay and I did the second one along with other mods. I will do the third which I will time as matter of interest. Biggest maintenance pain is final drive oil, easiest way is to remove the RH muffler. Rear wheel removal is much easier than the 1300. Like the 1300 Honda got the gearing wrong. I have now fitted a Henry Final drive. That along with a slightly larger diameter rear tyre (gone darkside  ) has dropped the rpm at a true 110kph from 3,000 to 2,500. Has transformed the bike to where Honda should have built it. Just trying to figure out how to do it to the 1300. I have now done 112,000kms on the wing. This year the bigger runs will be to Broken Hill, the Border Run and maybe Mudgee.

[Dragonstaff]

I don't have 'boot' problems with mine. It is a 1200, so a bit before all that electronical nonsence.

[West Aussie Glen]

I don't have 'boot' problems with mine. It is a 1200, so a bit before all that electronical nonsence.

No boot problems on my 1500 and I can see all the warning lights no matter how the sun is shinging on the instrument panel.
I don't know much about the 1200s but certainly from the 1500 to the 1800 Honda took 3 steps froward and 1 back.
For example take a look at the decrease in pannier size from a GL1500 to a Gen 2 GL1800 and the size reduction continues for 2018+ GL1800.

[Biggles]

Lots of great info there, Glen.  A friend has the 1500, and the only issue he's had is the alternator failed in Tassie.  It just so happened that another guy in our Association had a spare alternator, and it's very easy to access and replace.  Apparently it's a known weakness, but the professionally rewound ones have a much longer life.  So, given that the panniers are great and there's no electrickery in the panel, if I were to ever get another Wing, I think it would be a "1500".
I'd also agree about the GPS being unhelpful.  I understand you can program it by removing the card from the topbox module in the 1800, but that's annoying.

[West Aussie Glen]

Yes Bill I regret selling the 2000 Red SE 1500 you looked at for me in Brisbane years ago. But I don't regret buying the 1800. Unfortunately some 1500s are getting a little long in the tooth and my 1988 GL1500 outfit is in pieces in the shed waiting for me to gooing for what I believe are perished vaccuum hoses. Attached is an interesting history about the improements Honda made on the 1500.

[West Aussie Glen]

  I understand you can program it by removing the card from the topbox module in the 1800, but that's annoying.

I think that one card can be removed to load Garmin Base Station Files on to it and another card has the map info. Maybe I should go and read the handbook.

[Dragonstaff]

After that brief Goldwing diversion, back to the ST.

I am in the process of fitting a pair of Stedi Driving lights under the mirrors (they get here tomorrow) and decided to add a couple of extra farkles while it was apart. The extras are a waterproof (?) USB outlet and a pair of airhorns.

The airhorns are done.

[Dragonstaff]

And...Done.

I still have to take it out and adjust them, and I need to put longer bolts and a couple more washers each side on the bracket mounts, but that is not a major job. The rest is back together and all working.

Now to update the farkles list...

And yes, I know the left hand peanut globe has blown, and I should have changed it while it was open, but I didn't have one, and didn't want a 70km drive just to get one. It can wait.

[Jdbiker]

Nice work 👍

[Williamson]

And...Done.

 

[Dragonstaff]

I might add, they finished sealing the last eight kms of my formally dirt road last week, so she got a proper bath on Sunday, when we had a nice 25 degree day.

She looks a lot better without the dirt and bug splatter.

[Shiney]

Nice work mate, looks awesome

[Dragonstaff]

Went out the front tonight and did the final adjustments.

Here are the obligatory night shots- Low beam; High beam; and the new driving lights, in that order. I should be able to see the 'roos a bit better now.

[Biggles]

It's hard to tell from photos, but I'd experiment with lifting the spots a little bit and maybe out a fraction to look further down the edges of the road where the roos sit.

[Dragonstaff]

It's hard to tell from photos, but I'd experiment with lifting the spots a little bit and maybe out a fraction to look further down the edges of the road where the roos sit.

I will get a night ride in one evening soon, and make adjustments as needed after that. This was done out the front of the house, and the pics are with the bike on the side stand, so a bit out anyway.

Out a little might be an idea, though. So might up.

[Biggles]

Fair enough.  Even doing it on the centre stand isn't correct, as they will be pointing down a bit.  I do mine up friction-tight, then ride to a dark road and adjust them from the saddle, leaning forward. Then I do the final tighten of everything and check them again.

[Dragonstaff]

Having a bit of fun with the cruise control dis-engaging at random times lately, so I lifted the tank to check the connection to the coil.

Made a strap to hold it up while I was at it.

*This idea stolen from a pic in one of Shiney's posts, but I can't remember which one.

[Shiney]

Awesome job mate
It looks like an awesome strap