Monthly Newsletter
GoldwingDocs sends out a newsletter on the first day of each month to all of our members via email. This newsletter contains the announcement of the previous months' contest winner as well as details on the current month's contest. In addition, it includes news, reviews, information about new additions to the site, and other relevant information.
GoldwingDocs.com May 2015 Newsletter
Pay Attention! Or else... I rode up to Ontario, Canada a couple of weekends ago, unfortunately for (yet another) funeral. I hadn't yet had the chance to get my GL1500 out from its winter storage before the trip, so I made a point of pulling it out, checking it over, and going for a half hour ride a couple days before, just to make sure everything was still working - and that I still remembered how to ride! I made the 300 mile ride up on a Thursday night. I couldn't get away until about 8:30 pm, so it was quite dark by the time I was underway. I also managed to leave just in time to ride into a tremendous rainstorm, and as I rode east across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and up into Ontario, the rainstorm followed along, sitting right on top of me. While riding through the Buffalo area and the Niagara region of Ontario, it felt like someone above me was pouring buckets of water on top of me, the rain was coming down so fiercely. Fortunately, I was wearing my much-beloved Olympia Horizon rain gear, so I stayed dry and warm throughout the entire trip. That amazing product was definitely worth the price. My Alpinestars Valparaiso Drystar Gloves, touted to be "waterproof," turned out to be less so. My hands were warm and dry until the bucket deluge began; at that point they became saturated with water, and my fingers were cold and wet for the remainder of the trip. I had coated my windshield with Moto Solutions RainCoat before I left, so the rain and copious spray from the many tractor trailers I encountered along the way were a non-issue - the water just beaded up and flew off my Tall Tulsa windshield. During this entire ride, I was in hyper-concentration mode. Looking for pooled water, looking for unexpected curves, looking for anything that might cause me to lose the limited traction I had in such wet conditions. I had all of my lights turned on (and I have a lot) to make me visible through the rain and spray, and I talked to the tractor trailer drivers over the CB to let them know in advance that I was passing, because I was often obscured by their spray. I slowed down well in advance for toll plazas and off-ramps, as I just didn't have the traction that I normally would. My Avon Venom tires displace the water very well and do all they can to hold me on the road, but at some point, you are up against the laws of physics. When I got to the border crossing, I pulled up, dripping water from every surface. The border guard looked at me and just shook his head. I suspect I was the only motorcycle he saw that night - I sure didn't see any others on the road during my trip. Two days later, it was warm(ish) and sunny, so I set out on my bike to visit some old friends and do a couple of errands. Unlike my hyper-aware state while riding through the terrible weather, I was calm and relaxed...too relaxed. Turning right at an intersection, I accelerated smoothly through the corner - and suddenly all hell broke loose. The back end of the bike was sliding sideways, and the bike was going down! I chopped the throttle, steered into the skid, and the bike snapped upright - I managed to save it. My heart still racing, I continued down the road while looking back - and noticed the large patch of winter sand still sitting in the corner, now with a large sweeping skid mark through the middle of it. I started paying much more attention. A long winter of driving had obviously dulled my motorcycle senses - while I sure remembered how to operate my bike, I wasn't in "motorcycle mode" in terms of actually riding down the road, evaluating my environment. So when you are out dusting off the cobwebs - both literally (to your bike) and figuratively (to your riding skills), remember to keep your environment in mind. What would have been a non-event for a car almost had my bike on the ground, simply because of a moment's inattention. What To Do With An Old Refrigerator? Refrigerators are an everyday item we really take for granted. You plug them in, fill them up with food and beverages, and forget about them. Once in a while, a refrigerator fails in a way that makes it too expensive to repair. The old refrigerator is removed and a new one takes its place. So what do you do with the old refrigerator? If you're like most people, you take it to the dump, or perhaps let the delivery people haul it away for a modest fee. But if you are GoldwingDocs user Honda Hobo, you do something entirely different. Honda Hobo looked at his old refrigerator and saw not an old piece of junk, but if it was laid on its back, and with some modifications, a bit of paint, and a couple wheels - he saw a motorcycle trailer! Not only a motorcycle trailer, but a motorcycle trailer that already had built in insulation to keep items cold should he wish to do so. Now he could have just taken the refrigerator, slapped a couple wheels onto it, a trailer tongue, and called it good. But this is not his way. Instead, he turned it into a rolling piece of art. You won't believe your eyes - check out Honda Hobo's handiwork: What would you do with an old refrigerator? Enclosed Motorcycle Trailers On the topic of trailers, some people prefer to transport their Wings to a new location, then ride it around that area once they arrive. Enclosed trailers are a great way to do this, as they keep rocks, wind and dust off your bike while safely transporting it behind your tow vehicle. However, some enclosed trailers have become far more than this. When you arrive at your destination and unload your bike, you now have a trailer sitting there empty. Wouldn't it make much more sense to make use of that empty trailer while it's there? That's the reasoning behind some enterprising owners who have configured their trailers to be a home away from home - with fold down beds, tables, kitchens, TV's, even bathrooms and showers! Once the bike has been pulled out of the trailer and parked, the awnings can be extended, and people can move in. User seebeechief just bought a 16 foot Continental Cargo trailer and was looking for some assistance in figuring out the best way of mounting restraining hardware inside to keep his bike secure. User Dusty Boots replied with pictures of his brand new (to him) 16 foot enclosed trailer, that the previous owner had converted into a Toy Hauler. With room for up to three bikes, fridge, microwave, bed table and shelves inside, it's truly a home away from home. User Lowrider1 included a shower for his wife in his trailer, with a 3500 watt generator, and brings along a 12 foot boat with motor for the ride! If you have a trailer that you've outfitted and want to share (we love pictures!), or want to have a look at what others have done, check it out: Enclosed Cargo Trailers Noise Induced Hearing Loss This topic keeps coming up more and more often; no doubt it is affecting a greater number of people all the time. Basically stated: motorcycles are noisy. Riding motorcycles is noisy. Even if your Goldwing doesn't make much more noise than a sewing machine, just the sound of wind over your helmet can exceed sound levels that over the course of an hour or two can cause permanent damage. And this damage is cumulative. Once the damage is done, you're left with tinnitus (ringing) in your ears, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It never goes away. Your discriminatory ability (the ability to pick out a single voice in a noisy room) is severely affected. I know this from personal experience: I have noise induced hearing damage. My ears ring 24/7, and in a noisy room of people, I might as well not be there, because I can't hear what anyone is saying. I now protect my hearing viciously: but it's too late, the damage is done. So how do you take motorcycling, intercoms, radios, CB's, headsets, engine noise, exhaust noise and wind noise, mix them all together and not damage your hearing? There are some methods, and some people (such as myself) have come up with methods that work well. What about when the rider has hearing issues, and the passenger does not? Our members have suggestions for that as well. Read more: Hearing Degeneration Users Help Users Fix Their Bikes! Springtime is the time when people pull their bikes out of their winter slumber and take them out for a ride. It's also the time when we discover that some parts or devices on our bikes have mysteriously stopped working over the winter months. Have no fear, the fantastic GoldwingDocs users are here, and they're here to help you get your bike running again. I've seen an amazing number of people in April who came to the site, posted a message describing a problem they were having, and within days - and sometimes hours - GoldwingDocs users sprung into action, diagnosing and helping the user fix their problem. Some of these problems are common, some not so common. If you have a problem with your bike, and you need some help figuring it out, visit our forum and post a message! I guarantee you'll find friendly and helpful people just waiting to assist you. I have to thank all the great GoldwingDocs users who continually step forward to help out those who need it. In the meantime, have a look through some of the problems that GoldwingDocs users have helped solve for other GoldwingDocs users in the past month: GL1200 Clicking noise - Destroyed U-Joint - a GL1200 owner was noticing a clicking noise every time he let off the throttle GL1200 Clutch keeps building up pressure - a GL1200 owner had his clutch keep building up pressure, and would not release when he released the lever GL1500 Broken speedometer cable - a GL1500 owner had his speedometer cable break GL1500 Coolant reservoir overpressure - a GL1500 owner had the lid on his coolant reservoir blow off repeatedly GL1800 Turning on CB mutes all audio - a GL1800 owner had all audio mute (turn off) every time he turned on his CB F6B Clutch went out - an F6B owner, after experiencing a brake lockup, had a clutch that no longer engaged GL1500 Blown Speakers - a GL1500 owner has blown speakers, users give him ideas and help him install new, better aftermarket speakers Goldwing Paint and the Sun Although a large majority of Goldwing owners keep their bikes indoors when they are not being ridden, some of us, by necessity, have to keep our bikes outdoors. Others, such as myself, regularly ride our bikes to work, where they spend the day sitting out in the sun in the parking lot. It's a fact: sunlight fades paint. Particularly in southern latitudes, where the sun is stronger, and to bikes with darker color paint, the combination of sunlight and oxidation can destroy the beautiful finish on your Goldwing. I have a half cover that I carry with me that I will throw over my bike if I know it's going to sit out for any length of time (or overnight), or if it is going to rain. Other than that, if my bike is outside, it's in the sun - but my bike is white, so it is one of the least affected colors. So what can we do to protect our pride and joy? Should we wax it? Cover it? Use UV protective spray? Does it matter if we have a clear coat or not? There are so many products out there it can be bewildering to attempt to choose between them. Have a look at what works for experienced owners, and some suggestions from people who have used products that work like magic: Paint and the Sun Contest Anniversary While setting up the contest for the month of May, I realized something - April of 2015 marks an anniversary: five years of monthly contests here at GoldwingDocs! I originally had the idea of setting up a monthly contest prize as a way to encourage forum participation, and with it the friendly camadarie with which GoldwingDocs has come to be associated. It succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, and continues today to be one of the most popular features on the site. I have seen some other sites attempt to copy my idea, and those sites have come and gone - and with it their contests. I personally buy each of the prizes and send them out to the winners, and it never fails to make me happy when I see how thrilled the winners are to be the recipient of that month's prize. Entering the contest is easy and free: Just visit the Contest page and click on the Register to Win button. Every message you post in the forum during that calendar month is counted as another contest entry, so the more messages you post, the better your chances of winning. That's it! This month's prize is something new, that we've never given away before: Counteract Tire Balancing Beads. If you have an idea for a contest prize that you'd like to see, drop me a line and let me know! Cancer Strikes Again Two months ago I mentioned the scourge of Cancer, and how many people near to me that it has affected. This past month, I lost yet another family member to Cancer: my maternal grandmother, my last remaining grandparent. I mentioned back in February a simple way to help fight it: By dedicating your computer's idle time to help research scientists find cures and treatments. It's free to do, costs you nothing, only utilizes your computer's CPU when you're not using it, and helps immensely - and directly. If you're interested in helping out, you can read more about it in February's newsletter: I Hate Cancer We have had a wonderful response - many people have joined up, and as a result we are now clocking over 1,000 CPU hours per day. This is the equivalent of a one-CPU computer running for 1,000 hours doing calculations for cancer scientists, every single day. Thank you so much for your help and participation! Product Reviews We have a couple new reviews, as well as updates added to some existing reviews: The Bubba Keg is a huge mug that can be mounted to your handlebars, giving you all the hydration that you need. Napa Bolt Anti-Seize works very well when screwing steel fasteners into aluminum - like bolts into the engine. My waterproof Alpinestars Valparaiso Drystar Gloves turn out to be not so waterproof after all in this update. On the other hand, my Olympia Horizon Rain Gear passes the test, getting me through hours of absolute pouring rain while keeping me warm and dry. Omron G8MS-H30 Relays for GL1500's Goldwings, particularly GL1500's and GL1800's, are filled to the brim with relays. These electromagnetically-actuated switches are used to switch all kinds of circuits, from headlights to radios to even the starter. However, they are a mechanical device, and after some time they will fail. I have less than a hundred of these relays left, and I don't have plans at the moment to order any more. So if one of the many relays in your GL1500 has failed, or if you'd like to have a few on hand to carry around just in case one does (to avoid being left stranded!) - and you'd like to take advantage of my quantity purchase, now is the time to buy them for less than half the retail price. Check out our GL1500 relay store page: Goldwing GL1500 Omron G8MS-H30 Relay Of course, we still have our other products as well: GL1000/GL1100/GL1200 7 volt regulators, and our ever-popular GL1500/GL1800 GPS Input Devices.
That's it for the May edition! I see so many bikes out on the roads now that the weather is warm and sunny. Keep an eye out for each other, and be careful out there. See you next month! |
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Looking to buy a new (to you) bike, or parts and accessories? We've optimized our Classified Ads page to streamline its operation, and ensure the results are fast and accurate. There are thousands of Goldwing and Goldwing-related ads, from all over the world. If you're looking for a new bike, or maybe parts for your old bike, check us out first! |
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Featured This Month on GoldwingDocs.com: | ||
Nifty Homemade Timing Belt Tool One of the most important parts of changing the timing belts on a GL1000, GL1100, GL1200 and GL1500 is to make sure the cam sprockets do not rotate when the old belts are removed, before the new belts are installed. There are marks on the sprockets to line up against the head, but they are difficult to see, and parallax can cause errors. As a result, several people have come up with methods and tools to try to keep the sprockets in place even when the belts are removed. User metalsmith came up with an ingenious contraption, made out of a few hardware store bits, that holds both sprockets in place securely and prevents movement of any kind. Check out his invention that anyone can make: A little help for my timing belt change |
Aftermarket Speakers For Your GL1500 The speakers that come with the Goldwing weren't of the highest quality in terms of sound clarity when the bike was brand new. Fifteen to twenty seven years later, they certainly aren't sounding any better. Replacing your speakers with quality, modern aftermarket speakers is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your bike's audio system. The replacements must be of the correct impedance, they must be waterproof, and they must fit into the existing speaker mounting areas with little or no modification. Fortunately, there are speakers that fit the bill perfectly. Read more: GL1500 Speakers |
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Goldwing GPS Input Device The Goldwing GPS Audio Input Device continues to be far and away the most popular product we have ever offered, and the tons of positive feedback we continue to receive really makes us happy that we're making something that people really like - and use. What is the GPS Audio Input Device? It's an American-made plug-and-play device that lets you hear the audio output of your GPS, cell phone or radar detector over your GL1500 or GL1800 (including F6B) intercom - so that you can hear the spoken instructions from your GPS or cell phone in your headset. It's a simple plug-and-play device that can be installed in minutes, and does not permanently modify any bike wiring. It's been receiving rave reviews - check it out today! Do you already have one of our GPS Input Devices? We've had quite a few people who want to buy a GPS with audio output that they know will work with the GPS Input Device. Take a couple minutes to help out your fellow Goldwingers by posting your GPS make and model on this forum thread. GPS manufacturers don't commonly specify audio output jacks as features, so it can be hard to decide which model of GPS to buy, unless you know beforehand what you're looking for. |
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Goldwing GL1500 Omron G8MS-H30 Relay The Goldwing GL1500 Omron G8MS-H30 Relay is a relay used for quite a few different functions in the GL1500. The GL1500 is filled with relays - there is a box full of them, next to the fuse box! These relays are mechanical devices, and have a limited life. When they do fail, critical systems can be affected, leaving you stranded! It's always a good idea to carry one or two spare relays with you. Honda sells replacement relays, Honda part number 38380-MN5-003, for over $25 each! These are the exact same relays, brand new, from the original manufacturer. Thanks to a quantity buy from the original manufacturer, we are able to offer them at a much reduced price. Stock up now and make sure you never end up stranded because of a failed relay! |
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7 Volt Regulator for Four Cylinder Wings If you have a GL1000, GL1100 or GL1200 Standard Goldwing with mechanical (not electronic LCD) temperature and fuel gauges, you've had this problem. Or...you will. It's only a matter of time. You'll start noticing thkat your temperature and fuel gauges are reading off the scale - the temperature is in the red, and the fuel shows full. The only thing is, the bike isn't overheating, and you know you've only got a quarter tank left. Or...even worse: your bike is operating normally, and suddenly your temperature and fuel gauges just turn off, and look like the picture to the right. How much fuel have you got left? You'll have to guess! What's causing it? A faulty, worn-out 7 volt voltage regulator. Behind the fuel and temperature gauges is a special voltage regulator that turns your motorcycle's normal 12 volts into the 7 volts on which these two gauges run. When it starts to fail, it typically starts doing so intermittently. Left in a failed state, it can cause damage - allowing a full 12 volts into your temperature and fuel gauges, destroying the delicate coils inside! That gets expensive, requiring the replacement of the entire center gauge cluster! What's the solution? For almost five years, we've been manufacturing a modern, solid-state 7 volt regulator to fix this problem once and for all. Hundreds and hundreds of Goldwing owners all over the world now have operating fuel and temperature gauges thanks to our 7 volt regulator. If you've got this problem - or you know someone who does - check out our 7 Volt Regulator and get it fixed! |
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Newest Product Reviews The Bubba Keg holds an immense amount of beverage, and holds it conveniently at hand for you. When using fasteners into blocks of dissimilar metals, NAPA Bolt Anti-Seize ensures that the fastener will come out again years down the line. Two different kinds of Hyper-Lites installed on a GL1800 create an effective visual alert to inattentive drivers (video included) The Nolan N-Com B5 Bluetooth communication system for the N44 helmet is a little fiddly to install (and came with instructions written in German) but performs well. LED Driving Lights sourced from China are not only inexpensive, but perform amazingly well! The Vega Sumit 3.1 Modular Helmet includes a drop-down tinted visor that looks a lot like a fighter pilot's helmet The free Nokia HERE App for Android phones turns your phone into a GPS - you can download the maps beforehand, so it works without a cell signal, perfect for remote areas Add illuminated handlebar controls to GL1800's that didnt come with them from the factory: GL1800 Illuminated Handlebar Decals The best ear plugs I have ever used on a motorcycle: Fit-Ear custom molded ear plugs A great alternative for GL1800 owners: 30 watt LED driving lights/fog lights Windshields are personal: You really need to fit them to your needs. This is a good review of several types: Windshields This is a neat product for those who park on soft surfaces: SafeTkick Motorcycle Kickstand Pad Support Is there anyone who doesn't yet have a Battery Tender? If so, you should read this review: Battery Tender Jr. On the other hand, if you're considering a Harbor Freight Automatic Battery Charger, you definitely need to read this review: Harbor Freight Automatic Battery Charger The Schampa Double Layer Fleece Neck Gaiter is fantastic for cold-weather riding! |
Pictures? We Love Pictures! Do you have pictures of your bike you want to share? Of course you do! And we want to see them! We have one of the largest collection of Goldwing-themed images on the Internet, with over 8,800 images, and it grows every day. Visit the Member Picture Gallery, view some of the great pictures, and add yours to the collection! The newest pictures uploaded each day are compiled into a single page, and if you like, you can have these pictures sent to your inbox waiting to greet you every morning. Check it out: Image Update Email |
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Regular GoldwingDocs.com Features: | ||
How To Articles Want to do some of your own maintenance but scared to take your bike apart? You're going to like this: We have tons of world-reknowned How-To Articles articles - the largest collection of Goldwing How-To Articles on the Internet! Even if you think you might not be capable of working on your bike yourself, our illustrated, step-by-step instructions make it easy - even for the beginner. Check them out today! We've added lots of new ones, and more are being added all the time. - How to lubricate the GL1800 reverse switch - How to replace the spring on GL1100 factory rear shocks - How to remove seized pistons from brake calipers - How to remove center stand or side stand springs - 75 GL1000 Intake Manifold Conversion - How to remove and reinstall your (GL1200) headlight - Antitheft alarm installation with trunk release (GL1500) - How to winterize your motorcycle - Installing a 2006+ heated seat in a pre-2006 GL1800 - How to Predict Catastrophic GL1200 Stator Failure - Retrofitting LED Brake, tail and turn signals to GL1500 - GL1200 Poorboy Alternator Conversion Video - How to keep from losing your side covers - GL1200 Ignition Switch Overhaul - How to replace your steering head bearings - GL1500 Projector HID Headlight Install GoldwingDocs Classifieds Looking for a deal on a Goldwing, parts or accessories? Have you checked out our Goldwing Classifieds section? We have literally thousands of Goldwings and Goldwing-related accessories listed, primarily by private sellers from around the world, updated twice a day. If you're looking for a new-to-you bike, or something to add to your existing Goldwing, you should check us out first! GoldwingDocs Message Forum If you haven't visited our Goldwing Message Forum lately, you owe it to yourself to check it out. With tens of thousands of messages posted by thousands of helpful and friendly people, you can just about guarantee that you will find the information you're looking for, or find an interesting topic to chat about. Stop by and just say hello, we'd love to hear from you! GoldwingDocs Vendor Database The GoldwingDocs Vendor Database is a great place to search for sellers of Goldwings, parts and accessories. Not only do we have a huge, user-maintained database of vendors, but each of those vendors is rated in several categories, with written reviews from other Goldwing owners. Both traditional bricks-and-mortar vendors and Internet vendors are represented. If you want to check up on the reputation of an online vendor, or simply look for a Goldwing-friendly shop nearby, the GoldwingDocs Vendor Database has got what you need! GoldwingDocs Member Pictures The GoldwingDocs Member Picture Area has over 8,800 pictures, all uploaded by GoldwingDocs members. There's nothing that Goldwing owners love more than to show off their bikes - so take a few minutes and upload a few pictures of your pride and joy, to share with the world! You can search through all of the existing pictures, or just browse to your heart's content! |
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