New "Winger" needs hlp with new GL1500 SE

5475 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Matt, Jul 2, 2009

nosvet

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

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

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nosvet

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 30, 2009

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

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oldsmores

· #3 · Jun 30, 2009

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...

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2580

· #4 · Jun 30, 2009

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.

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detdrbuzzard

· #5 · Jun 30, 2009

hello and welcome to GWOF nosvet

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Two Wheel Wing

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

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.

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nosvet

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 30, 2009

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

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ronzilla

· #8 · Jun 30, 2009 (Edited)

... 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 ...

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Two Wheel Wing

· #9 · Jun 30, 2009

nosvet said:
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.

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Matt

· #10 · Jul 1, 2009

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!

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lonewolftx

· #11 · Jul 1, 2009

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.

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ronzilla

· #12 · Jul 1, 2009

... 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 ...

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nosvet

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 1, 2009

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

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Matt

· #14 · Jul 2, 2009

Shocks

ronzilla said:
... 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

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