How to keep from losing your side covers

[WingAdmin]

User 5150Jim took the time to write up this short piece and included some pictures, and asked that I would post it for him:

Have you ever seen a side cover on the side of the freeway? Or maybe you have lost one. I had a problem with my starter solenoid on my 1980 GL1100, so I went to pull my side cover off and found one of the 3 posts that hold the cover on wasn’t pushed into the rubber grommet. And just about 2 weeks before, a friend/my expert on everything GoldWing, told me that I should make something to hold the covers on. Well I came up with a quick fix to the problem while wanting for my solenoid.

I got some wire, wire stripper/crimpers, ring lugs (2 different size ring lugs), solder and the soldering iron.

After making a quick stop at Orchard Supply Hardware for a pair of easy release key rings ($1.99 each)

I went to work,

crimping and soldering, (crimp 1st)

and assembling.

Not too tough.

Then I drilled a hole for my pop rivet and washers. One washer on either side of the plastic then put the pop rivet through the ring lug, the first washer, into the freshly drilled hole and then the other washer.

Okay done with one.

Now a quick side note.

Make sure you have clearance for the washer on the inside and the hole is in a good place with clearance for the pop rivet tool. Also be sure to drill the holes in the correct end of the cover.

Next I mounted the larger of the ring lugs to the bolt next to the mounting grommet.

Then popped the cover back on and done with one side.

I did the same thing on the other side and attached the larger ring lug to the bolt holding the rear brake fluid cylinder.

I put the other cover on and all done. All together it may have taken an hour, and now I can pull my covers off if need be and also won’t worry about them blowing off on the freeway.

I hope this helps some to ride a little easier.

[5150Jim]

TNX for posting that article for me. For some reason the system would not let me put in all of the pictures.

[CASizemore]

Thank you I just lost the battery cover on B3 my '84 Aspencade. I will be making this upgrade when I get a new cover.

[buddycompsys]

Great Idea, I will be using this.

Lost one last year and it got smashed by a car.
100.00 out the door.

Thanks

Buddycompsys

[5150Jim]

I'm glad that you guys like my idea.
Just make sure the key rings are tight. Some of the cheap one will pull out if you don't check them.
Jim

[jeffv1970]

After paying 180 for a mint condition set for my 1200.
I will be doing this as soon as i can.
Thanks for posting your idea.

[SilverDave]

Its absolutely essential to have some sort of rig to keep those covers with you ..

I drilled three 1/8 inch holes in the pegs , two on the left , and just a single on the right .
With some tough, thin string (cost : $.002) I made a two string harness for the battery side , which loops behind the battery hold down flange. To look at the battery level, the harness is long enough to allow the cover to drop out of the way. To remove the battery , you have to remove the hold down metal flange , so the harness and cover comes off completely.

The right cover only needs to come off to possibly check brake fluid, so a single, carefully adjusted string works , allowing the cover to hang down about 4 inches .

Cheap, but effective . You will spend longer adjusting the two string lengths in order to have the removed covers hanging where you want them.

Mine have been on for 12 years, and are a bit dirty, but still working .

SilverDave