not new, but it has been a while.

[bigdog9191999]

just stopping in to say hi! not new to the page but it has been a while since i have stopped in. how goes the forum! i have swapped bikes a couple times since i was here last, but the wife still has her FZ! and it has been a great ride for her over the last several years with basically no issues.

 

[bigdog9191999]

My current bike. 06 goldwing audio comfort nav. And of course her 07 FZ

 

[Gary in NJ]

That wing is a lot of machine. If I could get my wife on the back of my bike there is no doubt I’d own a wing or big BMW. What a way to eat some miles.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I had an '04 wing (very, very comfy and smooth) but the alternator bearing went bad-
Engine gets pulled.

The Honda shop f...ed up the job resulting in missing parts, an OIL LEAK 4" across overnight. The shop refused to repair the leak and "just keep an eye on it".. Honda Inc. refused to get involved and said to sue the shop...

Brought it to another Honda shop, had them tear it down, find the issue and check the other shops work... They found the issue as well as some other issues. I was set to sue the shop AND Honda Inc.

The SW Rep was in the area of Sarasota, knew of the issue and picked up the tab.

With all the BS / runaround I got, I'll NEVER own another Honda anything...

BTW, the oil leak they made was a large nick in the clutch cover itself, which is located on the very back of the engine.. There was an issue for that year for the alternator bearing failing..

 

[bigdog9191999]

I had an '04 wing (very, very comfy and smooth) but the alternator bearing went bad-
Engine gets pulled.

The Honda shop f...ed up the job resulting in missing parts, an OIL LEAK 4" across overnight. The shop refused to repair the leak and "just keep an eye on it".. Honda Inc. refused to get involved and said to sue the shop...

Brought it to another Honda shop, had them tear it down, find the issue and check the other shops work... They found the issue as well as some other issues. I was set to sue the shop AND Honda Inc.

The SW Rep was in the area of Sarasota, knew of the issue and picked up the tab.

With all the BS / runaround I got, I'll NEVER own another Honda anything...

BTW, the oil leak they made was a large nick in the clutch cover itself, which is located on the very back of the engine.. There was an issue for that year for the alternator bearing failing..

View attachment 74232

I haven't heard that the engine gets pulled for an alt? My 1500 didn't and I thought for sure while researching that I saw it was basically the same for an 1800. A pita for sure. But not as bad as pull the engine bad.


What where they doing to need the clutch cover off for?



I did just get done working on this one. I had a fluke rare occurrence nowhere the fan rubbed the radiator on the left side and made several rows leak. Figured whole the Fairing was off I should do a few other things, so I did steering bearings, led headlights, and an air filter. And I have to say that was alot! The amount the bike had to be torn down to get too the both sides. Was quite the sight!

 

[jrevans]

I too have a Gold Wing in my garage, but it's a bit older than the ones you guys have.
I got my dad's 1977 GL1000 Gold Wing from him a couple of years ago, when he stopped riding at 87 years old! He bought the bike new in 1977.

I grew up riding on the back of that bike when I was a kid, so I had some good memories. When he said that he was going to sell it, I told him that I'd buy it from him. Luckily, he just gave it to me.

1977 was before the Gold Wing came with fairings, so my dad put on a clear windscreen, saddlebags and a rear rack. He changed plenty of stuff over the years, but his craftsmanship can be lacking. (I don't know why, but he tended to use masking tape instead of electrical tape for wiring connections!) Yes, I have the original rims for the bike.



Unfortunately, I haven't ridden it since I've gotten the bike from him. He had done some work on something on the front hub and it doesn't seem like things fit correctly with regards to the brakes.... I have the factory service manual, but it doesn't show enough detail on that area. And I don't have any time to work on the thing right now.
It needs a new battery, but I was starting it up a few times a year with a jump, but I don't think that I did last year. Hopefully the fuel stabilizer is doing it's thing.... At least I drained the carbs.

I should probably sell the bike, but my dad is still alive and I don't want to disappoint him that I sold the bike he gave me. After showing him the loose stuff in the front end, he agreed that something was wrong and told me that I shouldn't ride the bike! So, it just sits in my garage for now.

 

[Gary in NJ]

jr, make sure that the spacers aren't in backward or reversed...a common problem. I'd also take a look at an exploded view (ronayers.com) and make sure all of the pieces are there. It's great that you have a bike that you have memories from your youth. That bike will mean a lot more to you in the coming years.

1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING Front Wheel + Disc | Ron Ayers

Shop online for OEM Front Wheel + Disc parts that fit your 1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING, search all our OEM Parts or call at 252-758-3084

www.ronayers.com

 

[jrevans]

jr, make sure that the spacers aren't in backward or reversed...a common problem. I'd also take a look at an exploded view (ronayers.com) and make sure all of the pieces are there. It's great that you have a bike that you have memories from your youth. That bike will mean a lot more to you in the coming years.

1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING Front Wheel + Disc | Ron Ayers

Shop online for OEM Front Wheel + Disc parts that fit your 1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING, search all our OEM Parts or call at 252-758-3084

www.ronayers.com

Thanks for the link Gary! That is definitely a better picture than what is in the factory service manual that I have. He has a third party repair manual (Clymer maybe?) , but it has even less. I'll print out a picture of that front end diagram to bring out to the garage and hopefully take a look at it sometime this summer.

Interesting about the spacer orientation. I'll check it out.
I keep saying that I should check out a Gold Wing forum to learn more about the bike, but again, not much time at the moment.

The bike is registered and insured, so hopefully I can ride it some time. I miss the awesome sounding engine. Every time I hear a modified Subaru go past my house, it reminds me of the sound of this bike.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I haven't heard that the engine gets pulled for an alt? My 1500 didn't and I thought for sure while researching that I saw it was basically the same for an 1800. A pita for sure. But not as bad as pull the engine bad.


What where they doing to need the clutch cover off for?



I did just get done working on this one. I had a fluke rare occurrence nowhere the fan rubbed the radiator on the left side and made several rows leak. Figured whole the Fairing was off I should do a few other things, so I did steering bearings, led headlights, and an air filter. And I have to say that was alot! The amount the bike had to be torn down to get too the both sides. Was quite the sight!



View attachment 74233View attachment 74234

I think the alternator bearing was inside the rear cover (clutch itself is at the rear).

Someone apparently nicked the gasket surface causing the leak. I believe the clutch and all the internals had to be removed (with the engine) to access the alternator bearing. (I think that failed bearing is installed from the "inside", thus the removal of everything)..

Seems your not afraid to get into mechanicals of your wing, Mine was still under warranty so I wasn't messing with it..

I sold the bike, sight unseen, to a place that turns them into trikes. It was already sold as a trike before I delivered it...

.

 

[jrevans]

jr, make sure that the spacers aren't in backward or reversed...a common problem. I'd also take a look at an exploded view (ronayers.com) and make sure all of the pieces are there. It's great that you have a bike that you have memories from your youth. That bike will mean a lot more to you in the coming years.

1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING Front Wheel + Disc | Ron Ayers

Shop online for OEM Front Wheel + Disc parts that fit your 1977 Honda GL1000A GOLD WING, search all our OEM Parts or call at 252-758-3084

www.ronayers.com

Which items are you referring to on that diagram? #2 and #7 ? I'm not sure what the spacers are that could be backwards or reversed.

So, I printed out the picture, went out to my garage to put the page in the factory manual, and found the same picture that I had printed out years ago, probably after I got the bike. And it was in the manual, next to the page which had this identical, full page diagram with labels.... I guess I did a memory blank on everything that I knew about this bike!

 

[Gary in NJ]

If 2 & 19 are on the wrong side or inserted backwards, the wheel will be out of alignment. Having one or both backwards is more likely then having them on the wrong side...I don’t think the rotors would clear the calipers if the spacers were on the wrong side. But 19 is directional and could be backwards.

 

[bigdog9191999]

I think the alternator bearing was inside the rear cover (clutch itself is at the rear).

Someone apparently nicked the gasket surface causing the leak. I believe the clutch and all the internals had to be removed (with the engine) to access the alternator bearing. (I think that failed bearing is installed from the "inside", thus the removal of everything)..

Seems your not afraid to get into mechanicals of your wing, Mine was still under warranty so I wasn't messing with it..

I sold the bike, sight unseen, to a place that turns them into trikes. It was already sold as a trike before I delivered it...

.

i was a little nervous about it, but i am also a cheap ass and wasnt going to pay to have it done. the labor hours would have been the killer for sure.

i work on all my all my own stuff for the most part esp with cars and have been diving into the bikes more and more.

honestly doing the wing was kinda like taking the dash out of car, not really that difficult, just lots of little screws and takes a good little while to do.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

i was a little nervous about it, but i am also a cheap ass and wasnt going to pay to have it done. the labor hours would have been the killer for sure.

i work on all my all my own stuff for the most part esp with cars and have been diving into the bikes more and more.

honestly doing the wing was kinda like taking the dash out of car, not really that difficult, just lots of little screws and takes a good little while to do.

I too work on all my own stuff and avoid the "shop mechanic's" which often do more harm than good. I only have the FZ now and with 365 days of riding, any tear down means no riding...

And as you show, wrenching on a 1800 Wing is always involved.. At least 30 minutes just removing plastic...

I don't do any cross country riding anymore so having a wing, for me, is not necessary and just something else to maintain...

You've dug deep into your wing and now have lots of experience in it. That's great having that under your belt.

.

 

[gnyce]

I only have the FZ now and with 365 days of riding, any tear down means no riding...

And thus my argument for having 2 bikes!

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

And thus my argument for having 2 bikes!

Yep, had 4 at one time, '04 FJR, '04 Goldwing, '05 KLR 250 (another fav), and my used/wrecked FZ to replace the KLR.

The FZ was to be the "new beater." Started modding after repairs and fell in love with it..
My FZ fills the gap for all of them.. Fast, pretty comfy, light and flickable (all like the the above in one bike).. Sold everything else(didn't have to, all paid for), as I had a new fav.. That was in 2009..

Best yet, tires last way longer than the big bikes, doesn't need full engine tear down the KLR needed at 32,000 miles(left main crank bearing cage goes away).



.

 

[bigdog9191999]

the fz is honestly a bit small for me (although i did put 2,500 miles on it when we first got it as i had not been on a bike in months. so it went to the wife to upgrade her from a rebel 250. i loved the 1050 tiger, but sold it being an adult and paying bills. i knew when i sold it that i wanted a gl1800 eventually. but agian adulting led me to a 1100 shadow saber that lasted for two months before a deer said i didnt need it anymore, i then moved to an 89 gl1500 to get me closer to what i wanted.. rode that for about 4 years till i could make my move to the gl 1800 about 2 years ago now.

after all those bikes ( and what i have had prior) i have an eyeball on something like a vstrom as a second. but not sure as there just isnt much i cant do on the wing. a bit lighter and more dirt would be about it. dirt roads dont stop me know just slow me down a bit.