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 April 2020 Newsletter
The Elephant in the Room Just like pretty much everything else in the world right now, this month's newsletter has been thrown a giant curveball. Traditionally, the April newsletter is our "product review special" where we feature the best in gear, tools and accessories. With a vast majority of businesses closed and those products now unavailable, it didn't make sense...so we'll postpone that particular tradition for now. Instead...we're talking about COVID-19. How it's affecting our biking lives, our travel plans, even any day-to-day riding. Something to think about: the prospect of a potential motorcycle crash requiring hospitalization, when hospitalization is completely unavailable, has dampened some riders' enthusiasm for riding - myself included. Our members are of course talking about it. Member bluthundr31 is taking the opportunity to work on his bike, and many others are doing the same: Shelter in Place? 3 Weeks to Work on the Beast A discussion on the virus, quarantine, and how it is affecting our members everyday life can be read in the aptly-named thread COVID-19 Quarantine. Member rmoss is eagerly awaiting his new 2020 GL1800 DCT...but the pandemic has put that on hold. He dropped off his old bike earlier this month, and just as he was to take delivery of his new Goldwing...everything shut down, leaving him with no bike: Delay in getting new scoot And lastly, for those who are not riding or doing anything motorcycle-related due to the virus, we're talking about what other activities we're doing to occupy ourselves: Not riding? How do you keep yourself busy? Trips and vacations have been cancelled, and major gatherings are in question. As of right now, the GoldwingDocs Gathering in August is still planned, but we will see how things progress. From all indications, we are only at the very beginning of this pandemic, and it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. My sincere wishes are that we all come out the other side healthy, both physically and financially. A Better Mousetrap This was originally going to be part of the now-postponed "product review special" newsletter. But it's just too good a tool to not talk about. I was introduced to the Knipex adjustable wrench recently, and I must say, I'm a total convert. It's adjustable wrench specifically for working with bolts and nuts, in that the jaws stay parallel to one another, like a Crescent wrench. But unlike a Crescent wrench, the jaws stay locked tight on the bolt or nut, and do not slip off and round off the fastener. They work amazingly well, and are of very high quality (made in Germany, not China). I have two different sizes, and I've included a short video review, so you can see me demonstrate just how well they work. Check out the Knipex Adjustable Wrench Review Clutch Lever Feeling "Off"? Member redjetty had a problem with the clutch lever on his 1987 GL1200 - but what we're talking about here applies to every motorcycle with a hydraulic clutch, which includes GL1200, GL1500 and GL1800's of all ages. His problem was that the clutch was not engaging until the lever was pulled almost all the way to the grip - meaning he only had about 3/4" of an inch of travel to shift gears. This can cause problems - especially if the clutch is not completely disengaged, meaning some torque is still getting to the transmission when shifting gears. This can wear transmission dogs - and worse. One possible cause can be as simple as worn clutch linings - but fortunately for redjetty, his problem was much more simple and easy to fix. The same fix applies to brakes, incidentally! Read about the problem, the cause, and the easy fix here: Clutch Lever Feeling Off Hearing Aids and Headsets For many, hearing loss is an inevitable part of life. Hearing aids have advanced considerably over the years, but when it comes to working with things such as helmet headsets, some owners are unsure. Can you talk over the intercom? What about hearing the radio and CB properly? What about working with wireless headsets? Member Dudewaha was looking at intercom systems, but his riding companion has hearing aids, and he's unsure of how they might interact with any intercom system he might purchase for his bike. Not surprisingly, there is a wealth of experience from Goldwing riders when it comes to hearing aids and motorcycle headsets and intercom systems. Are you considering a hearing aid and wonder how it might interact with your audio system? Or just want to know your options? Perhaps you have experiences of your own that you could offer? Check out: Hearing Aids and Intercom Plastic Bodywork Repair and Repaint Longtime GoldwingDocs member Rednaxs60 has been putting off needed bodywork repair and repainting for a couple of years now. The dash, shelter and several ABS trim pieces were weather worn, cracked and damaged. He's decided that the time has come to do the repairs and restoration. Fortunately for us, he is taking us along on his journey, showing the various damaged sections, broken and missing tabs, and paint issues - and then demonstrating step-by-step exactly how he has repaired them. And he's done an amazing job! He started the documenting of the process in this thread: Prepping for Summer 2020: Painting Plastic and Body Panel He's doing an amazing job! Once he got the initial pieces finished, he started a new thread documenting the prep work and repaint of his GL1500 that you won't want to miss: Painting the GL1500 GL1800 Electronics Destroyed? GoldwingDocs member Toy3zve made a terrible mistake. Recently, he needed to jump start his 2007 GL1800. He hooked up the booster pack to his battery terminals...but nothing happened. He boosted the amperage, but still nothing happened. Upon closer inspection, he realized that a previous owner had hooked up a battery maintainer backwards - with a red wire to negative, and black wire to positive. Seeing this, he realized he had hooked up the booster backwards, and the end result was a dead GL1800. Now his nav screen, turn signals, radio, CB, intercom and key fob lock no longer work. The bike does start up and some parts run - but there are major parts of the bike that aren't functioning. Looking for help, he came to GoldwingDocs. Have an idea of how he might diagnose the non-functioning systems? Or perhaps you have previous experience? Check out: GL1800 Wrong Battery Boost Hookup, Now no Nav Discontinued GL1000 Manifold Boots The rubber carburetor manifold boots on GL1000 Goldwings have been unavailable for many years. Unfortunately, the heat and years are not kind to the rubber, and the result is hard, leaky manifold boots. Leakes in the intake manifold cause a lean running condition and can cause detonation. Member tonuptees is looking for replacements for his GL1000 boots, and came to GoldwingDocs for assistance. Believe it or not, there are at least a couple options for replacing these unavailable boots. Find out what options are available, and just how difficult they are to implement: GL1000 Carb Manifold Boots Your Wife's Ride Pictured here is my wife's 2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 ABS. It's a fantastic little bike, light and nimble, more than capable of all-day-long highway travel, and with a J&M CB, ABS brakes, a TMPS, LED headlights and a ton more aftermarket accessories, it's one of the most complete and accessorized Burgmans you'll come across. And my wife no longer wants it. She's decided that with the increasing cellphone-added distracted drivers, that riding is no longer in her best interests. So with a heavy heart, we're letting this wonderful bike go. If you're looking for a bike for your wife, or perhaps a second bike to zoom around on when the Wing is just too big and heavy, this might be just what you're looking for. Check out: 2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 ABS For Sale GL1200 Pocket Surprise While doing some work on his 1987 GL1200 Interstate, GoldwingDocs memeber patbrandon1 happened to pull out the left fairing pocket. After unscrewing and removing the pocket, he saw something underneath the cubby area that piqued his interest. Strangely enough, he had taken this pocket off a number of times over the years and had never noticed it before. At first he thought it might have been something added by a previous owner - but no, this is a Honda OEM item. Not only that, it exists in the same area in every GL1200 made! Surprisingly, it has a real purpose to it, and as a GL1200 owner, you probably want to know about it! Curious? Wonder what it is inside the fairing, under this pocket, that you might not know is there? Check out: Hidden Pocket Surprise A GL1800 Jerky Shift Fix GoldwingDocs member GLRT is fed up with the shifting of his GL1800. Jerky shifting, clunky transmission performance, poor shifting. It's a common complaint. The symptoms/complaints are usually quite similar: When the bike is cold, it shifts consistently well and smoothly, regardless of speed. But as soon as the bike warms up, the shifting becomes more jerky - particularly under low acceleration, when driveline lash can make it feel like the driveshaft is made of rubber. The fix, he claims, has nothing to do with oil or anything else to do with the transmission, and has everything to do with the electronics of the bike. Not only that, he has a simple solution that involves installing an electronic part for under a dollar. Does your GL1800 have you lurching and jerking around when it's warm? Maybe this is the solution for you. Check out: Jerky Shift Fix In Search of a Wrecked GL1800 DCT...Why? Member klwinter2 from Knoxville wants a 2018+ GL1800 with a dual-clutch transmission. But he doesn't want just any GL1800. He wants one that is...wrecked! Why? He's thinking he wants to reverse-engineer and build a fully-enclosed EcoTracer type bike, like the one shown here. These streamlined bikes are comfortable, incredibly fuel efficient, and have outrigger wheels that automatically fold-down when the bike slows down or comes to a stop. Know of a someone who has wrecked a GL1800 DCT? Or perhaps want to weigh in on his plans? Check out: Wrecked GL1800 DCT Wanted in Knoxville, TN A New GL1500 Windshield Always a popular topic, Member in2it is looking for a replacement windshield for his 2000 GL1500 Aspencade, and he has a couple questions. Are scratch resistant windshields really worth the extra cost? And what about that tiny windshield vent? Does it really make that much of a difference? It seems like questions about which windshield is best come up on a very regular basis. The thing is, new windshields from different manufacturers keep coming out, even for older motorcycles. Conversely, some windshields popular for years get discontinued. So what's best for the GL1500 this year? Our members have many opinions, and as you might guess, the type of windshield that suits you best depends on several factors. What kind of riding do you do? How tall are you? Through what temperatures do you ride? Check out the collective experiences of our members, and perhaps select your next windshield: New GL1500 Windshield? Gold Wing? Dead Wing Member roadhawg from North Carolina went out for a ride. He got on the bike, turned the key, and everything seemed normal. The headlight came on, the bike came to life. Then he hit the starter button. The bike clicked, and everything went dead. This is not the first time we've heard of this kind of failure. It can happen to pretty much any vehicle that uses an electric starter. There are some common causes that should be the first things to be checked. Our electrical experts weigh in on some of them, and how to check them. Have you had this problem before? Maybe you want to know what to look for in case it ever happens to you? Or perhaps you would like to help roadhawg diagnose his electrical problem? Check out: Dead Wing GoldwingDocs Member pmacddd from California had a similar problem with his 1978 GL1000, but with no power or lights at all. The battery tested good at the local auto store. All the fuses tested good, he was a bit confused - but after a bit of electrical detective work, he discovered the problem. Follow his diagnostic path and find out what the problem was: 1978 GL1000 No Lights or Start Aftermarket CB Circuit I love DIY projects like this one. Longtime member CrystalPistol wanted to fit a CB radio to his GL1200, but OEM CB's were prohibitively expensive. But you can buy a decent, modern 40 channel CB at any truck stop for $30! So why not just hook that CB up to the bike's intercom? That's exactly what he did. And the circuit he designed would work with ANY Goldwing with a headset, from the GL1100 through the GL1800. When talking with other riders over the CB, he often got comments that his rig sounded as good as any OEM system. He rode with this setup for twenty years! He posted the details of just how he went about integrating the aftermarket CB into his Goldwing for anyone who might want to do the same thing. Check out his design: Aftermarket CB Radio Added to Goldwing Hundreds of Goldwing Parts for Sale The huge number of used (mostly GL1500 and GL1800) parts that I bought a couple of years ago continue to be added to the site for sale. I split my time between photographing and adding new products, and filling the orders that people place. There are still literally hundreds (probably thousands - I haven't even opened all of the boxes yet) more parts that have yet to be added to the site, and I'm working my way through them as I can. So if you are looking for some parts for your Goldwing, check back regularly to see what's been added. You can see the store here: GoldwingDocs New and Used Goldwing Parts Replacement 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 stranded!) - and you'd like to take advantage of our quantity purchase, now is the time to buy them for less than half the retail price you'll pay from Honda. Check out our GL1500 relay store page: G8MS-H30 Relays 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.
Stay healthy and here's hoping we get through this soon! Don't forget to check out the GoldwingDocs YouTube Channel! |
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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. Also check out our New and Used Goldwing Parts Store! If you're looking for a new bike, or Aprilbe parts for your old bike, check us out first! |
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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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Replacement Goldwing GL1500 G8MS-H30 Relay The Goldwing GL1500 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. We have these high-quality relays in stock, at less than half the price that you can buy the equivalent OEM relay from Honda! |
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Brand New 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 Tool Porn: Knipex Adjustable Wrench Our very own GoldwingDocs 7-Volt Regulator gets a review! Tie down your bike with Canyon Dancer Handlebar Cup Tiedowns Adventure with Tiffani with her fantastic new motorcycle book Get rid of bungee cords forever: ROK Straps Move your bike around with Center Stand Dollies? Be heard, wirelessly with the LEXIN 2pcs LX-B4FM Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom What's that? Another Oscilloscope? the DSO150 Digital Oscilloscope A great option for mounting your phone: the RAM Mount Quick Grip Handlebar Mount A unique idea for a phone mount: the RAM Mount GDS Dock Handlebar Mount A somewhat disappointing mount: the RAM X-Grip Handlebar Mount Clamp hoses and much more with the ClampTite Tool Shed some light: Braun Cordless Worklight Scope it out: DSO138 Oscilloscope A new windshield: the 12" MadStad installed on a GL1500 For your trike: GL-1500 EZ Steer 4 Degree Rake Kit Knock out noise with Fit-Ear Custom Molded Ear Plugs Everyone seems to love the MadStad GL1500 Windshield |
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 11,900 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. - Adding Aftermarket CB Radio to GL1200 - How to Replace GL1500 Relays (with VIDEO) - How to Solve your Intermittent Engine Not Starting - How to fix broken plastic bodywork (with VIDEO) - Installing 4 Inch Replacement Front Speakers in GL1500 - How to replace discontinued GL1000 Carb Intake Boots with GL1500 parts - How to use a Ford F-250 Starter Solenoid on a GL1200 - How to repair broken plastic tabs - GL1500 Forks/wheel/tire on a GL1200? YES you can! - Homemade Regulator/Rectifier for GL1000/GL1100/GL1200 - How to Access the GL1500 Relay Box with a Motor Trike Kit - How to replace throttle shaft seals on GL1000/1100 carbs - How to remove GL1500 shifter arm blocked by frame tube - Using ABS glue to repair GL1500 rear storage hinge pins - Radiator Plastic Grill Repair - Adjust fore/aft Older Corbin Backrests - How to Make Replacement GL1500 Saddlebag Screw Covers - A new method of demounting and remounting tires on rims - Welding Plastic for ABS Repairs - Converting GL1200 cornering lights to high-output LED for only $22 - How to convert GL1500 side marker lights to LED strips - How to Remove the GL1800 (2001-2017) fairing - Installing a New Starter on a 1975 GL1000 - Beating the 80 MPH Limit of the GL1500's Cruise Control - Changing the Cruise Control Set Points On 1988 to 1992 GL1500 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! And don't forget to check the GoldwingDocs New and Used Goldwing Parts Store, where you will find hundreds of parts and accessories for your bike! GoldwingDocs Message Forum If you haven't visited our Goldwing Message Forum lately, you owe it to yourself to check it out. With hundreds of thousands of messages posted by tens of 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 11,900 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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