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 September 2023 Newsletter
Pictures from the 7th Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering The 7th Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering was, by all measurements, a huge success. With the largest turnout we've ever had, we sold out our hotel and overflowed into nearby hotels and campgrounds. The weather was perfect, and thanks to member BlueThunder, the scheduled rides ran pretty much without a hitch. So many people participated and volunteered their time, services and talents. Of course there were many pictures and videos taken, and our members have posted many of them in the GoldwingDocs Gathering picture thread. I also included a video I took of a huge motorcycle first for me. If you have pictures or videos of the event to share, please post them here: Pictures from the 7th Annual GoldwingDocs Gathering Sturgis from a Woman's Point of View Sturgis is synonymous with motorcycles, but when you think of the typical Sturgis attendees, you typically think of two things: bearded bikers in leather, and girls in bikinis. But what if you're a woman who rides motorcycles? Are you excluded? It's been said that Sturgis can even be dangerous for women. A friend of mine who started a watch company for women pilots, and who is pretty much fearless (she's climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!) decided to find out for herself, and went to Sturgis this year, documenting her trip on video. Curious as to what she experienced? Read on: Sturgis from a Woman's Point of View Sold my GL1500 - What did I buy? I finally did it - I sold my beloved GL1500. After a 12-year love affair with my wonderful GL1500, it's gone on to its new owner. It was a bittersweet parting, but I was not riding it anywhere near as much as it needed to be ridden, for a number of different reasons. Of course, I did buy something to replace it, and forum members have been trying to guess for some time what that it was. I laid out a couple of hints along the way, but this month I finalized the purchase and revealed my new ride. Curious? Check out: Sold my GL1500 - What did I buy? 1982 GL1100 Mid-Life Refresh Member koshak from the sunny island of Cyprus, blindly purchased a 1982 GL1100 online from an overseas seller. He gave it a test drive, ordered some spare parts, then set upon working on what he is calling its "Mid-Life Refresh." This is not a buff and shine affair - he is tearing this bike apart. I mean, REALLY tearing it apart. Like pulling the engine to pieces, pulling the pistons out, disassembling the transmission. This bike is going to be brand new once it's complete! He's posting daily pictures of the process as he works, and it's been highly entertaining and educational to watch the progress. If you would like to see a beautiful complete restoration of a GL1100 as it progresses, check out: 1982 GL1100 Mid-Life Refresh My 1500 Went Flying! Member Wingdad75 has a beautiful 1997 GL1500, that he keeps under his back porch, covered, when he's not riding. A summer storm came through with wind gusts of over 90 mph, and his GL1500 went flying - as did everything else in his yard. Furniture, smokers - his 300 pound basketball net flew 100 yards away! He said his heart sank when he heard the bike go over. After the storm, he went out to pick up his bike, and once again his heart sank when he saw the oil slick spreading underneath it. The cause: a common issue that has always worried me about GL1500's, caused by a common aftermarket part. This part can cause expensive damage resulting in an oil leak and being stranded if the bike falls over, as happened here. Want to prevent this from happening to your bike? Read on: My 1500 Went Flying! What's This Box? I love these mystery posts. A GoldwingDocs member, in this case it was TimSenior, buys a new-to-them Goldwing, and in hunting around inside of it, they find some mystery aftermarket box, device or part. Without a manual or any other information, they have no idea what the part does, how it's hooked up, or if it needs to be there. So they come to GoldwingDocs to find out. That's what TimSenior did, posting a picture of the mystery box, including the wires to which it was connected, and asked if our members could identify it. Sometimes these mystery boxes are decades old, and the manufacturers have long since disappeared, but in this case, many of us were able to identify it almost immediately. Want to take a crack at the latest mystery box? Here you go: What's This Box? Paint Protection for 2018+ Gold Wing? The newest versions of the Goldwing are beautiful to look at, but the new thin, water-based paint that is used by Honda is not as strong and damage-resistant as the less eco-friendly paints used in years past. It's not just Goldwings - it's pretty much all new vehicles today. As a result, scratches, swirls and other damage can quickly accumulate. Member Lippo in the UK, who currently has a stable of a couple GL1500's, just put a deposit down on a new 2020 DCT Airbag, and he's hoping to protect the paint with PPF - Paint Protection Film. This is a fairly common aftermarket protection product often applied to new cars to keep the paint in pristine shape - I have it on my car. However, he wants to have it done to his new bike, and wants to know if there is a pre-made kit for these bikes, or another option he might pursue. Think you can help? Looking for the same thing yourself? Check out: Paint Protection for 2018+ GoldWing Phantom Fault Longtime member Bombasstic in South Africa has been battling a problem with his 1980 GL1100 for some time now. He got the bike recently, with a known fault on the #4 cylinder: it kept fouling the plug with dry, black soot. He ran a series of tests, including compression, set the valves, stripped and cleaned the carbs, replaced the needles...basically redid the carbs. At first it ran great, but then it started to shudder and miss, and soon quit. Checking the plugs, now #1, #3 and #4 are fould, and #2 is OK! What is going on? He's asked for help, as he is at about his wits' end. Think you can help him out? You can do it here: Phantom Fault 1985 GL1200 Limited CFI Upgrade Here's a fantastic project that has been undertaken by member Rednaxs60 in Canada. He has a 1985 GL1200 LTD - and for those not in the know, "LTD" (or Limited) means that this Goldwing has computerized fuel injection (CFI) - a very early fuel injection system from Honda, back when carburetors were the standard on motorcycles. He's had the bike for eight years, and for the past ten months, he's been doing a project to replace the CFI system - mainly because he knows that if any one component in the CFI system dies, the bike becomes a "lawn ornament" - there are no spare parts. There are quite a few aftermarket fuel injection systems out there, but nothing that is meant for a bike like this, so it's quite a project. Follow his project from the beginning to the current stage where he is developing air/fuel ratio and timing maps for his new CFI system - and offer some help if you have some expertise: 1985 GL1200 Limited CFI Upgrade Off Balance When Stopping While Riding 2-Up Member G.Ranger in Quebec is an expert trials bike rider, and has ridden many thousands of miles on street and dirt bikes. But to him, his 2000 GL1500 SE is a different animal. On his own, he can handle the bike with no problem whatsoever, it goes and does exactly what he wants. However, as soon as he puts a passenger on the back, the bike wants to fall over every time he comes to a stop. He's got a lot of experience riding "slow races" with a passenger on other bikes, but last summer he dropped his GL1500 three times when coming to a stop with a passenger. He's hoping our members can give him some advice and assistance in figuring out what he's doing wrong. Think you can help? Or perhaps you are having the same problem? Check out: Off Balance When Stopping While Riding 2-Up 1982 Goldwing Aspencade 27K miles Sitting for 10 years Member gwyatt in Wyoming came across a 1982 GL1100 Aspencade that he found in an estate sale. The owner of this bike passed away, and the bike sat in a temperature-controlled garage for ten years underneath a bike cover. It was correctly stored, with the engine "pickled" and battery removed, has had the carburetors rebuilt and a new battery and tires installed. This bike says it has only 27,000 miles on the clock, and the condition would lead one to believe that this is accurate - it's one beautiful bike. Of course, I am slightly biased, as this is the spitting image of my first Goldwing! He's looking for help and ideas as to what he needs to look out for before he rides it, or any problems he might expect. Think you can help him out, or maybe you're interested in buying an older bike, and want to know what to look out for? Check out: 1982 Goldwing Aspencade 27K miles Sitting for 10 years Starting Engine While In Gear Member GBKid has a problem with his 2000 GL1500 SE. He's pretty sure that in the past, he has been able to start his bike when it was in gear, simply by pulling in the clutch lever (he's right, he could). However, it no longer allows him to do this: he has to be in neutral for the bike to start. This is actually applicable to ALL Goldwings, and it is a common problem, with a couple different possible causes. Of course, it could be that his kickstand is down, which will prevent the bike from starting in gear regardless of whether or not the clutch lever is pulled in. Our members sprang into action to help him out and get his problem fixed. Think you know what the problem was? Or perhaps you just noticed that your bike is doing the same thing? Either way, check out: Starting Engine While In Gear
Thanks to everyone who came out to the GoldwingDocs Gathering! 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. |
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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 Make Quick Work of Fasteners: SeeSii Cordless Compact Impact Wrench Where's Your Bike? Sizzapp GPS Tracking System Bright Headlights: Philips Osram LEDs for GL1500 Great new action camera: Innovv H5 Helmet Action Camera View and measure heat: Portable Thermal Camera Look where you can't see: Endoscope Camera Handy Power Tool: SeeSii Cordless Electric Impact Wrench 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 |
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. - How to make a DIY Headlight Protector - How to Replace Your Throttle Cables - 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) 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 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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