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 July 2022 Newsletter
Honda Discontinues the Goldwing?!? Say it isn't so! The future of gasoline-powered motorcycles (and cars, for that matter) has not looked great for a few years now, in particular with the pending Euro 7 emissions standards that soon will come into effect. Japan institutes new emissions standards this fall, and all four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers are culling models that won't pass the new standard - and it looks like the Honda Goldwing is one of the victims! Read our posting on this calamity, and see the video we have posted which goes into much more depth about how this came about, and what this means for the future of the Goldwing: Honda Discontinues the Goldwing?!? The End of GWRRA GWRRA, or Gold Wing Road Riders Association, was created in 1978, and grew to hundreds of chapters around the world. Famous for their monthly "Wing World" print magazine as well as their annual "Wing Ding" convention, it has offered safety courses, road insurance and other benefits. COVID, an aging population and poor management at GWRRA has decimated GWRRA membership from a high of 82,000 to only 10,000 members. At the opening ceremonies of the Wing Ding convention on Wednesday, it was announced that GWRRA will be shutting down permanently. We have many GWRRA members amongst our members, so quite a few of them have had something to say about GWRRA and their experiences, and talk about what might have led to this decision. Join in on the discussion, and find out more details, including a video of the actual announcement: GWRAA Closing / Last Wing Ding Sixth Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering, Aug 24-28 Definitely NOT cancelled is the Sixth Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering, and it is approaching quickly! This year it is being held from August 24-28 in Elkins, WV surrounded by the fantastic riding roads throughout the beautiful Monongahela National Forest. There are still limited hotel rooms available for those who have not yet reserved, and we have a good number of people planning to attend this year. The Gathering is an informal gathering of friendly Goldwing owners and riders from all over the US, although a Goldwing is definitely not a prerequisite - we've had all sorts of rides show up over the years! Don't miss out - check out our information topic and get your reservation in soon: Sixth Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering More Q&A Videos We're continuing to produce our very popular Q&A video series on the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel. I've got a great list of questions from our members that keeps growing, but please submit your questions if you have something you'd like answered! We've rolled out a couple more videos this month, in case you might have missed a few, we've linked to them here - and more are being released each week! If you haven't yet subscribed to our YouTube channel, you really should take five seconds and do it today - as always, it's completely free: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube Channel I Finally Did It... You've either done it, or you haven't done it...yet. I haven't done it in twelve years, and never on my GL1500, but a couple of weeks ago I initated my GL1500 when I managed to drop it. It was entirely my fault, for a number of factors, while I was attempting a tight U-turn in a parking lot. My on-board bike cameras captured the entire debacle, so I posted a video of the incident. On the video I describe what is happening, and the chain of mistakes I made that led to my bike taking a nap on the pavement. I have posted it in hopes that it may be educational to our members: I Dumped My Bike! Bolt Washer Catastrophe! GoldwingDocs member lcdrjoe was replacing the head gaskets on his GL1200 project. When removing the lower bolt, the washer fell off. Normally, when a washer falls off, it hits the ground and vanishes. But that's not the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing would be for the washer to fall into the oil return hole, and down into the oil sump of the engine. And of course...this is exactly what happened! He came to GoldwingDocs for suggestions and hope, to find a way to retrieve the washer without pulling the engine and splitting the case - something he really didn't want to do on his $500 project bike. Did he get it out? You bet he did! Read our members' suggestions, and see how he finally retrieved his errant washer: Head bolt washer catastrophe Grinding Sound in Engine Member RickyBobber has a problem. His 1990 GL1500 has started making a horrendous noise when it is idling, only when it is in neutral. It is much louder at lower speeds. What kind of a noise? Well he posted a video demonstrating the noise, and it sounds like someone emptied a box of loose nuts and bolts into his engine. As soon as I heard the video, I was pretty sure I knew what the problem was, and it has to do with his transmission. There is a specific diagnostic procedure you can follow to confirm the diagnosis, and I sent him the steps he would need to take to perform the tests. Visit this thread so you can hear the awful sound of his bike at idle. Is your bike making a similar strange sound at idle? Perform the diagnostic test we describe, to see if your bike is affected by this problem: What Is This Sound? Aftermarket Bluetooth Adapter Member toanogreen wants to install Bluetooth capability into his 2007 GL1800. He bought an adapter and plugged it in like he expected, but there were more wires that had no connection, and because it came with no instructions, he was a bit lost. He came to GoldwingDocs looking for help. Our members soon helped him out and figured out what the problem was. This then developed into a discussion of which inexpensive Bluetooth adapters worked best, and how they were installed. Thinking about installing a small, inexpensive Bluetooth adapter in your bike so you can listen to tunes from your phone while riding? Check out: Installing Bluetooth New LED H4 Bulb for GL1100 Headlight Nobody would ever call the headlight of the GL1000, GL1100 or GL1200 "blinding." Member CnCbuss wanted to do something about that with his GL1100, so he researched and found a LED replacement for his halogen H4 bulb that made all the difference in the world. Now his headlight is bright and well-focused, and he can see down the road at night. However, before you go running out to buy a new LED bulb for your GL1000, GL1100 or GL1200, there's something you first need to check on. Otherwise you could put the brightest bulb int he world in there, and you're still not going to get much light out the front. Find out how to check this, and discover what bulb CnCbuss decided to use when you head on over to New H4 LED Headlight Bike Stuck in Wheel Chock! Every so often a GoldwingDocs member comes up with a new problem that I've never seen before, and this one definitely qualifies! Member made2care rolled his bike into the chock on his lift table...and when he tried to roll it back out, the chock refused to give it back to him! It was hanging onto the front wheel with a death grip! He eventually resorted to using the lift to get it out. He then came to GoldwingDocs to ask our members for suggestions as to what might have caused the problem. Check out to see what solution he came up with, and what we think the problem was: Bike Stuck in Wheel Chock! 12 Year Old Tires? Member ElJajas just bought his first Goldwing a few weeks ago, a 2003 GL1800. The rear tire looks (and is) brand new...but it was installed just before the previous owner passed away, and the bike has sat ever since. He wants to know if he should consider riding on this tire, or if it would be prudent to replace the tires? You can give him your opinion in: Would You Keep Driving on 12 Year Old Tires? In a similar vein, member efragertours has a 1990 GL1500 with tires that are seven years old - but only have 1,000 miles on them. He wants to know if they are OK to ride on, or if he should replace them. See what our experts have to say: Tire Replacement Based on Miles or Age? Wrecked My Motorcycle Member slackr01 has the exact same bike as I do - a 2000 GL1500SE, in pearl white. He broke a "cardinal rule" which caused him to end up hitting a fire hydrant. Damage is limited to the light here, as well as a broken timing cover - and a timing belt and pulley. Without thinking, he started it up and rode it home. However, after getting a look at the timing belt and pulley, he's worried that he may have done significant damage to the engine by doing so. Have a look at the pictures of the damage on his bike and see what our members have to say, as well as learn about the cardinal rule that slackr01 broke that caused this mess in the first place: Wrecked My Motorcycle 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 product as well: GL1000/GL1100/GL1200 7 volt regulators. We are now sold out of our discontinued GPS Inputs, however there are a few still available from other vendors.
Keep your head on a swivel, enjoy the warm weather! Don't forget to check out the GoldwingDocs YouTube Channel! 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. Also check out our New and Used Goldwing Parts Store! If you're looking for a new bike, or Julybe parts for your old bike, check us out first! |
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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 Loosen stubborn bolts: Cordless Electric Impact Wrench Tidy wires are happy wires: Wire Crimper Tool Kit Move your GL1500's trunk: GL1500 Trunk Relocation Kit Be comfortable when doing maintenance: Pneumatic Stool Become a better, safer rider: Proficient Motorcycling Stay Warm: BORLENI Heated Gloves What gear are you in? GFYSHIP Gear Indicator for GL1800 Keep Thieves at Bay: MoniMoto 7 Alarm/GPS Tracker A boost on the road: Portable Rechargeable Air Compressor Be Prepared with a MyMedic First Aid Kit A super wide-angle review mirror! The Handy Motorcycle Lift Table SAM 1200 works great! Fabulous Resolution: The new Innovv K2 Dual Camera System Review Hook up your trailer: Trailer Wiring Harness and Adapter Start it up: Hulkman Alpha A85S Jump Starter Unboxing and In-Depth Review (VIDEO) Back it up: Reverse Lights for your Wing Shine on: Cerakote and Vapor Blasting Replacement fuel hose: 5mm Cloth Braided Fuel Hose Strap your cargo - a video review of Rokstraps Stay visible: a review of the Feniex T3 Flasher |
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. - Fitting a Gear Indicator on your GL1800 - How to remove seized reservoir screws (VIDEO) - How to rebuild the forks on a GL1800 Goldwing - How to renew the vacuum lines on the auto cruise valve to the accumulator - How to Remove, Rebuild and Reinstall your Clutch Slave Cylinder (VIDEO) - How to make your gloves work with touchscreens (VIDEO) - How to Quickly Clear Clogged Carburetor Jet Nozzles - How to mount a GPS RAM mount to your GL1500 - Installing GL1500 Braided Front Brake Lines - How to Add LEDs to a GL1800 Radio and Handlegrips - How to Add LEDs to a GL1800 Navigation Panel - GL1500 Rear Brake Master Cylinder Out in 30 Minutes, Easy - How to Open a GL1500 Trunk with a Jammed Latch - GL1200 MPH to KM/H Quick Fix - How To Install an Electric Solenoid Fuel Shutoff Valve - How To Install a Fused Power Distribution Block - How to Fasten Cargo to your Bike (with VIDEO) - 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 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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