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 June 2020 Newsletter
(Still) Spring Product Review Special I normally feature the Spring product review special newsletter in May of each year, but on May 1st this year pretty much every retailer was shut due to the pandemic. Things are now opened up, Amazon has abandoned its six-week shipping delays, and products are available! We've had some great new products reviewed on the site in the past year, as well as some old standbys - and some that really make things easier when out riding. We'll cover just a few of them here now: I've used bungee cords for years to tie down cargo on my bike when travelling. They're a nightmare - the hooks get tangled, they're never the right length, and over time they lose their elasticity. Last year I found these fantastic Rok Straps that are adjustable, strong and easy to put on and take off. There's been lots of talk on the forum recently of aftermarket horns, so I tested my Rivco Air Horns to see just how loud they are. Check out the video for the results! Another new product that's come to the forefront is ceramic paint coatings. We investigated several and reviewed one of the best. You'll be amazed at the results of this Ceramic Paint Coating. For GL1800 owners, the Healtech OBD Diagnostic Tool can tell you a lot about what's going on inside your bike. The Knipex adjustable wrench has proven to be a very popular item. I've now bought two of them, and several of our members have also stated that they have bought several. We have a video review for this great tool! In terms of longer-term reviews, the Innovv K2 Dual Camera System on my GL1500 is still working like new, and provides automatic video recordings facing forwards and backwards anytime my bike is in motion. I'm also two years into having replaced my sunglasses with the Pinlock Sun-Reactive Sunshield, and it continues to work amazingly well. It's something I wish I had discovered many years ago! The Jaco FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator has proven to be one of the most popular items we've ever reviewed...perhaps second only to the highly-recommended Battery Tender Jr. (of which I own four!). Speaking of batteries, my Motobatt AGM battery is now on year three and continues to work like brand new, starting my power-hungry GL1500 with the slightest touch of the starter button. One of the best purchases I've made are the Rev'It Sand 3 summer gloves. Summer gloves normally last me one year before they wear out and get tossed. I'm now on year three with these fantastic gloves, and they look like new. Not only do they last, but these are the most comfortable, coolest and best protecting gloves I have ever owned - and several of our members have said exactly the same thing about them. I end up wearing them even in cooler weather, simply because I love them so much! I also went through a lot of phone mounts this year: The RAM Mount GDS Dock, The RAM Mount Quick Grip, and the RAM Mount X-Grip. I still use the superior GDS Dock on every ride! Another item that I find myself using absolutely all the time is the Nelson-Rigg compact backpack. It folds up and can be easily carried in your pants pocket, yet unfolds into a very usable backback capable of carrying a full-face helmet and much more! Something we haven't reviewed yet, that will be appearing soon, is a tool that you wouldn't expect to use on motorcycles, but when used correctly, I have found to be amazingly useful and productive: A DeWalt Impact Driver, paired with a set of JIS Bits. I absolutely love this thing - more to come on this soon! Last, and certainly not least, I should mention our own products. We continue to sell a ton of 7 Volt Regulators for GL1000, GL1100 and some GL1200 Goldwings. We've sold more in the past five months than in any five month period ever! Also selling like crazy over the past few months are our G8MS-H30 GL1500 Relays - so much so that our supply was getting dangerously low! I was getting very nervous that we were going to run out, as lead-time from the factory had extended due to the pandemic. Thankfully, our shipment has arrived, and we now have lots on hand again. We have sold thousands of these relays over the years! And last...our beloved GPS Input for GL1500 and GL1800. We now have only 69 remaining in stock, and once they're gone, they are gone forever! If you have ever wanted to connect your GPS or cell phone to your bike's intercom, so that you could hear the GPS instructions over your headset, now is the time, before they're gone! The Worst Riding Conditions? Member mberk01 recalls a trip through Wyoming on the way to Alaska, where they experienced some crosswind gusts of 50 MPH. He wondered what kinds of adverse riding conditions others had experienced through the years. It seems this is something a lot of Goldwing riders have experience with. Unlike fair-weather riders, we often find ourselves on long-distance trips, and this often puts you at the mercy of the vagaries of weather. As a result, we have lots of people who posted their stories! I can think of a couple very dicey situations I've gone through, and I posted my stories as well. Do you have an experience that stands out in your mind? Or just want to read through the horrors of what others have gone through? Check out: What Were the Worst Riding Conditions You Ever Experienced? How Has COVID-19 Affected Your Riding? A great many of riders have severely curtailed, reduced, or entirely abandoned motorcycle riding since the advent of COVID-19. Early on in the pandemic, many avoided riding, as an accident could potentially leave you with no option for healthcare in an overloaded system. Others have cancelled trips, or avoided longer journeys that would require staying in hotels and campgrounds that may or may not be open. Rallies and group rides have been postponed or outright cancelled. For now, the GoldwingDocs Gathering is still planned for August 19-23 of this year. If that changes, we'll be sure to let you know. How about your riding? Have you changed your riding routine? Do you have trips planned that have been cancelled? Check out: How Has COVID-19 Affected Your Riding? Torque Wrenches: Everything You Need To Know We have a great new video this month that has been quite popular: it's all about torque wrenches: What they are, how you use them, why you need them, what kinds there are... And for people who don't have a torque wrench, we show how to add torque wrench capabilities to any wrench using household items you probably have at home - items that cost less than $10! Honestly, the amount of aluminum on our bikes really dictates that we use a torque wrench most any time we're working with threaded fasteners. Find out why, and learn the correct way to use them in our newest video: Torque Wrenches: How to use them, when, and why! What's that? You haven't subscribed to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel yet? Well that's easily fixed: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube Channel Now! Gauges and Indicator Lights Inoperative Member jsthomps picked up an absolutely beautiful 2000 GL1500 for a killer deal, with only one problem: the gauges and warning lights on the dashboard weren't working. Obviously there was an electrical problem. Spoiler: the problem was a failed relay! Our experts helped him work through the diagnostic steps to identify the cause of the failure, and jsthomps eventually purchased one of our GoldwingDocs Replacement GL1500 Relays to fix the problem. Pulling apart the old, failed relay, the problem became obvious: you can see the burned/melted contacts from the old relay in this picture! This is the exact reason why many GL1500 owners purchase several of our relays and carry them onboard - just in case one of the many relays in the GL1500 packs it in! Read jsthomps' original posting, see the pictures of his beautiful GL1500, and see how the problem was diagnosed - and fixed! GL1500 Gauges and Indicators Inoperative Brand New GL1500's?!? Well not quite, but they're about as close to new as you're going to get. Two of our members, zackzuro and 2000wing stumbled upon late-model GL1500's with crazy mileage on them: zackzuro's "new" 1999 SE has only 1900 miles, and the 2000 GL1500 that 2000wing is looking at has 2500 miles! Once in a while we have members come to the site with their new purchase, an old Gold Wing with nearly no miles. But are these really a steal? There is really one thing that hurts these bikes more than anything, and that's sitting without being ridden. That said, properly looked after, an aged bike in storage can be brought back to life and provide many years of service. What should you look for in a low-mileage example? What kind of price should you consider paying? What should you do once you buy it? Check out these threads for discussion on these topics and more: zackzuro's 1900-mile 1999 GL1500 SE 2000wing's 2500-mile 2000 GL1500 3D Printed Cockpit for GL1000 Anyone who's been around the GoldwingDocs site for any length of time knows what a fan I am of 3D printing. The idea that any part can be designed and printed or replicated at will is just amazing. Manufacturers are beginning to implement 3D printed parts on demand rather than keep storehouses of spare parts waiting to be used. My GL1500 has several 3D printed parts installed on it! So when I saw member kndw's design and manufacture of a custom cockpit for his 1976 GL1000, I couldn't help but love what he's done. He takes us along on the trip through initial design, assembly, painting, and the final product - and it looks great! Interested in the potential of 3D printing? Or want to see what he's done with his GL1000? Check out GL1000 Custom 3D Printed Cockpit Homemade Gear Indicator How-To And while we're on the topic of homemade additions to our Goldwings, member agedbikeman posted instructions on building a gear indicator for the GL1500 for under $20 in parts. Using a commonly-available LED indicator (available in several different colors), some diodes and a connector, he demonstrates how to build and connect this indicator that instantly shows the gear that your GL1500 is currently shifted into. Anyone with a modicum of soldering skills should be able to put it together, and installation, while not simple, is not so complex as to worry those not overly mechanically inclined. Have you been wanting a gear indicator for your GL1500? Have $20 burning a hole in your pocket and a few hours to kill? Check out: How to Make Your Own GL1500 Digital Gear Indicator Age vs Mileage? GoldwingDocs member go1dwing has a real conundrum on his hands. He has the opportunity to purchase one of two Goldwings. The first one is a 1999 GL1500 with only 25,000 miles on it. The second one is a 2014 GL1800 with 89,000 miles on it. Both bikes are approximately the same price. Does age trump mileage? Or should he go for the GL1500? Add your opinion, and see what others have to say: High Mileage vs Age Bikes Wont Start! One of the most common complaints is that our members have is a simple one: their motorcycle won't start! Most often the problem is that the bike cranks, but does not start up. We had two of these this month, with similar, but not identical causes (the cause for this is almost always the same thing). We also had a "starter tries but can't crank engine" no-start report this month. Again, the cause for this is almost always the same thing (but different than the crank-but-doesn't-start) and this one is no different. Read more about these common problems, their common causes, and how to fix them: Fixing Hole in GL1800 Valve Cover GoldwingDocs member sunshineman6869 had a stripped-out screw hole in the valve cover of his GL1800. He was attempting to thread an insert into the screw hole, and managed to crack a fairly large chunk of aluminum from the valve cover, as seen here. He's wonder if if this is repairable, or if he is now faced with replacing this (rather expensive) part. Asking our members, he got a variety of answers. Aluminum TIG welding, J-B weld, or outright replacement were some suggestions generating discussion. What do you think? Do you have experiencing repairing aluminum failures such as this? Or just want to see what the possibilities are should it one day happen to you? Follow the thread: GL1800 Casting Repair GL1100 Down the Rabbit Hole Brand-new member cushing5986 from New York just joined GoldwingDocs, and has been reading and researching for the last month or so before his first post. He bought a 1983 GL1100 mostly put together (shown here), along with a 1982 GL1100 that he says came as an "Ikea kit." His hope is to combine the two into one, good, running naked GL1100. He's taking us along for the ride, and posting pictures as he goes. The engine oil in the 1983 looked more like vanilla pudding, so he knew a new water pump was in the works. Pulling the heads, he found 40 years of gum and goo inside the cylinders. Follow along vicariously as he restores this beautiful bike to its former glory: GL1100 Restoration: Down the Rabbit Hole Noise From GL1800 Driveshaft GoldwingDocs member dndgentili has a relatively high-mileage GL1800, with 185,000 miles on the clock. He's wondering at what point his driveshaft needs to be serviced. GL1500 owners are somewhat familiar with driveshaft service, mainly universal joints that need to be looked at or replaced at or near 100,000 miles. But what about the GL1800? Apart from regular lubrication of the splines with moly paste, is there a life limite? Our experts came to his aid, and maybe yours as well - if you're wondering about noise coming from your GL1800's driveshaft, check out: GL1800 Noise from the Driveshaft Converting GL1100 to LEDs Member marcobear1 wants to convert his GL1100 to all LEDs. This is a very common request - and it's a great upgrade on four-cylinder Wings. The charging system on four-cylinder Goldwings is just barely adequate for the factory electrical load, with not much reserve left over for aftermarket accessories. Switching high-current items like headlights and brake lights to low-current LEDs frees up a lot of power to run other things. But what LEDs work on a GL1100? Does he need special LED-compatible flashers? Which bulbs fit where? Where is the best place to buy them? Our members help out, of course! If you're considering upgrading to LEDs on your Goldwing, check out: Converting GL1100 to LED Lights 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 cool, stay safe. We'll see you next month! 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 Junebe 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 A video on: Rivco Air Horns Shine on: The Last Coat Ceramic Coating 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. - GL1000 Custom 3D Printed Cockpit - Torque Wrenches: How to use them, when, and why! (with VIDEO) - How to remove the GL1500 lenses from light housing - How to Restore old hard rubber parts - Cleaning up GL1500 Turn Switches - How to Make Your Own GL1500 Digital Gear Indicator - 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 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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