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 October 2015 Newsletter
Pictures, Videos, We Love Our Bikes Some bike owners take pictures of their bikes, maybe when they were new. But Goldwing owners are another breed: it seems we love to take pictures of our bikes, places we have gone on our bikes, pictures of us fixing our bikes, videos of us riding our bikes. This fact is borne out by the Member Pictures area on the site, where users have uploaded over 9,300 pictures to their individual galleries! If you want to be kept in the know whenever new pictures are added by users, sign up for the free Image Update Email. I mentioned the Photo Tag game in last month's newsletter: a simple member-participation game where the goal is to take a picture of your Goldwing next to a specific object. The first person to post a picture of their bike next to the object gets to pick the next object. We've had lots of participation, with pictures of Goldwings next to windmills, waterfalls, a fire truck, jet fighter, and more. Join in the fun - as I write this it's an easy one: a picture of your Goldwing next to an 18-wheeler. Being that we just finished the month of September, there were many tributes (and pictures of trips to memorials) in this topic, as well as sharing our memories of that day: 9/11 - Where were you? Sometimes people just want pictures for the sake of pictures - and this topic is a good example: Let's see those sunset pictures Of course, taking videos is a bit different. Typically, people mount video cameras on their bike or helmet, to record the feel and sound of riding your bike. This is a fantastic way to capture a memory of a fantastic ride, particularly one that is far away and that you might not get the opportunity to visit again. We've had a few people post these types of videos this month from their holiday trips, and they are beautiful - and should help get us through the winter months. User Chickenlegs posted a couple great videos: Riding through the Black Hills of South Dakota User djoyner posted a spectacular video from his trip as well: Riding Through West Coast National Parks Speaking of trips, we have a couple good trip reports, one from roadwanderer2 on his trip from Tennessee to Florida, and Wilcoy02 posted his journal describing his trip from Ohio to Alaska and back this past July and August. BulletHD Biker Pro Camera Review - The Perfect Bike Camera? So just how do you get a good video taken from your motorcycle? There are plenty of GoPro-style cameras with elaborate mounts that allow you to fasten these expensive cameras to handlebars, crash bars, or elsewhere. The problem with these is that you end up leaving your $400 camera sitting out in the wind, and if you don't remove it every time you step away from your bike for a few minutes, you may come back to find your expensive camera has grown legs and walked away. For a long time I have been searching for the perfect motorcycle video camera. This would be one that has a remote, weatherproof camera module, connected to the "brains" - or recorder - portion of the system with a wire. This way you hide the expensive part of the camera inside the bike, and put the inconspicuous camera module out where it won't be that noticeable. This also gives you a lot more options in terms of mounting places. I also wanted something that worked on its own, without me having to remember to press "record" every time I started the bike. I wanted it to have spectacular video quality, in bright sunlight as well as complete darkness. Lastly, it needed to be relatively inexpensive. This past month, the BulletHD Biker Pro camera dropped into my lap. I thought I would give it a try, and installed it on my GL1500. I was extremely impressed! I have a ton of video already recorded, including quite a few test videos where I put this camera through its paces. You can see these videos, along with my in-depth review and step-by-step details on how I installed the camera on my GL1500 here: BulletHD Biker Pro Camera Review The End of the Riding Season? For some of us, October is the last month of the calendar year that we are able to ride. For those of you that live in southern climes and can ride all year long, you can feel my envy from here as you skip on to the next story. For me, the hard-and-fast rule is that once salt has been put down on the roads, my riding year is finished. This is a good policy: unlike cars, our bikes have very little in the way of rustproofing. A little bit of salt, a little bit of moisture, and the many exposed metal parts on your bike start to corrode. Not only is this expensive to fix, it is a serious safety issue! Every year as the end of the riding season approaches, we have users who visit the site and post messages asking for tips and recommendations on what to do to winterize their bikes. Your owner's manual is a good start for this information - but we have many users with years of experience with motorcycles who have some excellent ideas that will keep your bike sleeping tightly all winter, ready to start fresh in the spring. Read our winterization guide, along with the many suggestions added by our knowledgeable users: How to Winterize your Motorcycle Keeping your Hydraulic Clutch Healthy The hydraulic clutch (one that uses hydraulic, or brake, fluid instead of a cable to connect the clutch lever to the clutch) is a fantastic, mostly maintenance-free system that makes clutch effort much lighter. Without a breakable cable involved, you don't have to worry about having a clutch cable break while far from home, potentially stranding you without any way of shifting gears. We had two users this month post messages when they discovered problems with their hydraulic clutch system. Both of the problems could have been avoided with a modicum of regular maintenance - namely, regular flushing of the hydraulic clutch system. User clay0483 discovered that his clutch stopped working when the bike got hot, yet started working fine again once it cooled off. You can read about his problem, and the solution here: Hydraulic clutch stopped working when hot User Guywiththefishtattoo (interesting user name) started having more and more problems with his hydraulic clutch, and opened the reservoir only to find what looked like Reeses peanut butter in clutch reservoir - and yes, there are pictures! Have You Dumped Your Wing? User rockford75 asked the question, Who has ever dumped their Wing? Personally, I think the question is better phrased "Who has ever NOT dumped their Wing?" Or perhaps, "Who has ever NOT dumped their Wing...yet?" It's only a matter of time. A moment's inattention, an unexpected dip when coming to a stop at an intersection, some slippery pebble gravel underfoot when putting your foot down...and the very large, very heavy bike can slowly lean over and "take a nap." The best thing to do when (not if) this happens, is to jump off and get out of the way. Once it's past the point of no return, you can actually hurt yourself straining to try to keep it upright. Honda designed our bikes to be able to handle these indignities, and the crash bars will normally allow the bike to come to rest with no damage being done. The exception to this is when owners mount certain types of highway pegs on their crash bars. These pegs can be pushed into the valve cover when the bike falls over, punching a hole in the cover - turning a simple "Goldwing nap" into an expensive ride on a flatbed to the mechanic. We've had lots of interesting stories of how people managed to lose their bikes. Read through some of them and you might learn a few tips to help prevent the same thing from happening to you. And don't forget to add your own stories! Moving With Your Goldwing While great for eating up the miles on long trips, the Goldwing is not the easiest bike to transport when it is not being ridden. A perfect example is when you move from one place to another - be it across the city or across the country. Especially if you are moving far away, the logistics behind getting your bike safely to your new home, undamaged, can be daunting. There are plenty of horror stories of motorcycle transport agencies delivering motorcycles that came loose, or were damaged enroute - and with all the bodywork on a Goldwing, this kind of damage can range into the thousands of dollars. Towing a trailer with your Goldwing behind a U-Haul truck is an option, but not everyone has access to a trailer capable of transporting a Goldwing. User 1programer is looking for ideas on moving his GL1500. Lots of people jumped in to help, offering some valuable suggestions and tips. If you have experiences you could share, or are looking for this type of information yourself, check out this topic: Moving your Goldwing
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. 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 October edition! Stay warm and pray for no snow... 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: | ||
How to Mount Your Bike? You are likely thinking, "I know how to get onto my bike!" But is it the right way? What about if the bike is on the center stand? The side stand? What about if you have a driver's backrest? How about with a passenger? Does height matter? Is it different for a 6 foot rider than it is for a rider who is 5 foot 4? Do you step on the peg and swing a leg over? Or do it from the ground? Read what techniques people use, what works for them, and what could cause disaster! Or add your own suggestions: Side stands and mounting your bike |
Blackwing Fork Brace for GL1500 Two months ago, I wrote about this product. My GL1500 suffered from head shake and wobble, despite the fact that I had a Superbrace fork brace installed. Despite rebuilding the shocks and replacing bearings, the problem didn't go away. I read about people having success with the Blackwing fork brace, so I got one to put on my bike, replacing my Superbrace - and I was amazed! The front end handling was transformed: the wobble was gone, the front end became solid and confidence inspiring. Since I first wrote about it, quite a few other GL1500 owners have also installed the Blackwing fork brace, and the reports are universally consistent: handling and feel is improved significantly, wobble is gone. If you have a GL1500, you should seriously think about adding this to your bike. Don't take my word for it, read what others have to say: Blackwing Fork Brace for GL1500 |
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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 What I think might just be the perfect on-bike camera: BulletHD Biker Pro Camera A little more power (and sound) from your GL1500: Torq Master Pipes GPS Tracking Device comparison: ACR ResQLink+ PLB vs Spot Gen3 Tracker A great accessory: Fire Creek Ignition bridge, power ports, volt meter & GPS mount Goldwings and the low-cost Harbor Freight 1000lb Motorcycle Lift Platform The amazing results after installing the Blackwing Fork Brace A review on car tires on bikes: Darkside Review How well does the Harbor Freight 1000lb Lift Platform work with Goldwings? A review on the Goldwing itself from a new owner: 2014 Goldwing Many members talk about their personal preferences: Rain Gear Suggestions Hartco? Corbin? Russell Day Long? Which seat is best? Owners weigh in: Seats The Dynaplugs Mini Pro Inflator is tiny, easy to use and works great! Not all reviews are good, as demonstrated by this Valve Release Tool. 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. |
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 9,300 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 repair a broken GL1500 fairing deflector piece - Disassembly and cleaning of the kill switch and start button (video) - A few "hacks" for your GL1100 - GL1200 Speed Sensor failures & repair - Main Fuse Mod for Hondas with Dogbone Fuse - How to install brake light flasher on your GL1800 - DIY Cheap Common Negative Ground/Hot Blocks - Adding a Kickstand Indicator Light - How to fix GL1500 Cruise Control Lag - Timing belt tensioner pulley bearing replacement - 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 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 9,300 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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