[nosvet]

Hello Group,

My name is Chris and my wife and I have finally stepped up to the Wing! I looked and searched for a long time and finally purchased a bike last night.

On my 3 hour ride home last night I started to notice a few things that have me wondering if this bike was such a good purchase.

Its a 1998 SE with 14,800 miles and looks near perfect and was owned by an elderly gentleman.

When I make a slow speed turn the front seems loose, like the tire moves more than the handle bars.

When I lean into a curve the front end feels like its not biting into the road, it seems to woble and will scare the CRAP out ya!

When riding straight, it seems to be bucking. Sort of like the sensation you get when pulling a heavy trailer with your car.

The transmission seems kinda on the whiney side and the shifting is more clucky than what I've experienced on other bikes.

Also, can I somehow select which lights on the bike are on and off? I found a owners manual online but it referenced a selection switch which my bike does not have.

Can anyone help me figure this out? I am a certified ASE mechanic so wrenching is not a problem but knowing the vehicle is. The owner could not find the owners manual or maintenance manual but says he will mail them to me.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Chris

 

[nosvet]

Brake Light!!!

OK, I forgot to mention that my brake lights only seem to work when I use the foot brake.

The switch on the hand brake clicks when I use it and it disengages the cruise control but does not activate the brake lights.

Thanks

 

[oldsmores]

Sounds like a serious front end problem. Really can't help with that, but I think the whiny and clunky transmission are normal (at least, my '84 has the same symptoms, and I've heard it's not unusual). I suspect the whine is just more pronounced because the bike is so darn quiet...

 

[2580]

hi nosvet; welcome to the beautiful land of goldwings. Look under your front brake lever mount brkt, you will find two micro switches. the brake light switch has a blk wire and a greenwire with yellow stripe. test for 12v in an out of switch when lever pulled. hows your tire pressures? try 40lbs rear an 36-38 front, might help.

 

[detdrbuzzard]

hello and welcome to GWOF nosvet

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

I had a 98 SE GL1500 and it rode like a top. Some thing to think about is a bike that is 11 years old with only 14K on it was not used much. I would check the tires, they may still be the original or have been sitting for a long time under inflated. I would check the fluids and probably have all of them replaced (clutch, brake, oil, rear, etc). Front forks may be leaking and there is also a air adjustment at the top of the forks that may need to be made. You might also want to install a super brace which will help with low speed wobble.

Overall, once you get things check out you will find the Wing to be a great machine and a great ride. It sounds like it just needs some attention.

Good luck.

 

[nosvet]

new winger has clipped wings!

Thanks for the warm invite and info.

The bike was ridden on and off and the tires have no signs of cracking, dry rot, not even in the major tread grooves.

What is the proper air pressure for the front shocks?
also, what do you guys use as a rear pressurewith one up and two up?
The fork seals seem fine no residue after 150 mile ride home.
What about the tranny noise. I know all bikes have some sort of gearbox noise. I just had expected the GW to be much quieter than it is.

The brake and clutch fluids look brand new, nice and clear and light in color.

What about checking oil in front forks? what type and amount and how do I change.?

Thanks
Chris

 

[ronzilla]

... HOWDY ... I THINK EVERYONE HAS GIVEN SOME GOOD ADVICE ... I AGREE WITH 2 WHEEL WING ABOUT THE SUPER BRACE FOR THE FORKS AND POSSIBLY THE SHAKE AND WOBBLE SEEM TO BE A TIRE ISSUE ... ON MY 85 1200 LTD 14psi IN THE FORKS IS MAX ... YOU WILL BE MONEY AHEAD TO BUY A HONDA SERVICE AND REPAIR MANUAL FOR THAT PARTICULAR BIKE ... STAY AWAY FROM CLYMERS IT HAS ALOT OF INACCURATE INFORMATION ie: WAS HAVING SOME WORK DONE AND IT COST ME $100. LABOR FROM BAD INFO. ... HAPPY TRAILS ...

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

Thanks for the warm invite and info.

The bike was ridden on and off and the tires have no signs of cracking, dry rot, not even in the major tread grooves.

What is the proper air pressure for the front shocks?
also, what do you guys use as a rear pressurewith one up and two up?
The fork seals seem fine no residue after 150 mile ride home.
What about the tranny noise. I know all bikes have some sort of gearbox noise. I just had expected the GW to be much quieter than it is.

The brake and clutch fluids look brand new, nice and clear and light in color.


What about checking oil in front forks? what type and amount and how do I change.?

Thanks
Chris

I'm trying to remember what the pressure was in the front forks. I believe it was somewhere around 5psi. I used a small hand pump with what looked like a syringe to add air. It had a gauge on top. If someone else has the goldwing book that came with the bike they can verify the pressure.

 

[Matt]

Front fork pressure

I don't run any air pressure in my forks on my GL1500 (at the advice of my Goldwing mechanic) and it handles like a dream, but I also have Progressive front springs and rear shocks I'd never own another bike without them!

 

[lonewolftx]

Congrats on the Wing. First of all that whine is a Honda trademark. You notice it due to the quietness of the engine. I would put it on its center stand and check the wheel and fork bearings for play. I have ridden for 51 years but the Green Wing is new to me. When I got it, I had a $2,000.00 budget to get it back in shape. There was a lot of corrosion on the metal pipes and the hoses were hard and brittle in the cooling system. All being replaced. 150,000 miles and compression is good. Needed cup holders, foot boards and a compleet service. Good bike and well worth the monet. Good luck on yours. You might find a Winger in your area to ridew it and give their opinion of it.

 

[ronzilla]

... Howdy ... You Have Me Confused ... I Understand About The No Air Forks And Progressive Springs ... But With The Rear Shocks ... Did You Revamp The Air Shocks Or Go To Just A Spring/hyd Shock And Not Use The Air Shock ??? ... Happy Trails ...

 

[nosvet]

wing wobble

Well, I find a big part of the problem. It only had 11 psi in the front tire!!!! So much for trusting the previous owner when he said he just checked the tires.

Anyway, I added 6 psi, which I understand is a recommended max, or the fork seals will suffer.

Rides much better, alot less bucking. The trans is annoying as heck. Why would they leave it like that? Its a major detraction from the ride of the bike. Any one ever experience a tranny whine louder than usual and what did you do to fix it.

Thanks

 

[Matt]

Shocks

... Howdy ... You Have Me Confused ... I Understand About The No Air Forks And Progressive Springs ... But With The Rear Shocks ... Did You Revamp The Air Shocks Or Go To Just A Spring/hyd Shock And Not Use The Air Shock ??? ... Happy Trails ...

Ronzilla, the GL1500 has one air shock and one standard shock, whereas your 1200 has two air shocks. I still have one of each but replaced the standard one with a Progresive. Hope that clarifies things. Matt

 

[JTWY]

Thanks for the warm invite and info.

The bike was ridden on and off and the tires have no signs of cracking, dry rot, not even in the major tread grooves.

What is the proper air pressure for the front shocks?
also, what do you guys use as a rear pressurewith one up and two up?
The fork seals seem fine no residue after 150 mile ride home.
What about the tranny noise. I know all bikes have some sort of gearbox noise. I just had expected the GW to be much quieter than it is.

The brake and clutch fluids look brand new, nice and clear and light in color.

What about checking oil in front forks? what type and amount and how do I change.?

Thanks
Chris

I have a 1998 GL1500SE, my owners manual says 0-6 lbs in the front forks.

JT

 

[JTWY]

Well, I find a big part of the problem. It only had 11 psi in the front tire!!!! So much for trusting the previous owner when he said he just checked the tires.

Anyway, I added 6 psi, which I understand is a recommended max, or the fork seals will suffer.

Rides much better, alot less bucking. The trans is annoying as heck. Why would they leave it like that? Its a major detraction from the ride of the bike. Any one ever experience a tranny whine louder than usual and what did you do to fix it.

Thanks

My tranny doesn't make that much noise?? It clunks into first gear, but that's about it.
Change the oil again, maybe it needs to be flushed?? I used Honda oil in my bike and have had no problems.

JT

 

[Chiefy]

Hi Nosvet, Welcome!
I have a 97 1500SE and I run my pressure in my suspension a little higher than most. I recommend 28-32 one up and 38-42 two up. When i bought mine last year I discovered I was riding with 70lbs and was just fine. Someone recommended 18 single and 25 double but I found the ride too soft and the bike too low. It's very easy to adjust but remember it should be running in neutral on the center stand to get a true reading.