the worst part

[TwoTone Trike]

After three decades of riding Harley's the worst part of owning a Goldwing is having to buy all new metric tools, bolts, screws etc. etc. But it's all worth it.

[DaveO430]

Now you can work on about anything. Harley is probably the only manufacturer in the world that hasn't gone metric.

[TwoTone Trike]

Yes sir, Honestly an older Harley (like my 53 Panhead) is a lot easier to work on than a Goldwing. As for the new Harley's I couldn't tell you as I have no use for them. When Harley went public on the New York Exchange, they turned their backs on us old timers that kept them afloat during their troubled years. People have a hard time finding a shop to work on the older wings. Harley's are no different. That's why I learned to work on my own. Now I'm going to learn how to work on my Goldwing (with the help of all the good folks on here.) My hats off to you all.

[minimac]

You're overlooking the obvious. You won't have to work on the Goldwing.

[TwoTone Trike]

You're right mac other than maintenance. But in Harleys defense there's a lot more maintenance to a Goldwing. Older Harleys are a lot like older Chevrolets they're very easy to work on.

[leakyroof58]

Ah Two Tone - we meet again.........

Metric wrenches are a must nowadays - even if your car is a Ford, Chevy, or whatnot. Just the way it is. You said your '53 panhead is easier to work on, but is it really what you want to make an 800-mile ride on compared to your 'wing ?? Granted, an older 'wing might take some TLC to get into shape, but once there the original Honda engineering takes the cake for me. Hoses, vacuum lines, carb seals - time and ozone take their toll. Just replace them and move on...for another 30 years.

When I bought my '87 Aspy 3 years ago, I knew almost nothing about it, except that it was big and heavy. But, and thanks in big part to THIS SITE, and with a good manual, I have managed to tackle jobs I never dreamed of. On GW's, the worst part is usually getting to the work at hand - having to remove all that plastic. As for GW's needing more maintenance, thats only to get them up to where they were when off the showroom. I have now got mine up to the point where I would not be afraid to take it anywhere ... for days on end.

PS - good luck with your Linux switchover.......

[Viking]

I have to admit that this is true. I have ridden only one of the Harleys I have owned 800 plus miles in a day, and that was a 1974 FLH. The comfort level of that bike was just about equal to an older Goldwing. Now, I did ride my 1987 Softail Custom 130,000 miles in 13 months, the year I got out of the Army, but I just ain't that tough no more. Hence, the reason I bought a Goldwing and began to divest myself of Harleys. I have to fully agree with Two Tone tho, that it is a lot easier to work on a Harley than on a Goldwing, especially one like a GL1800. Most of the work, indeed is to get past the tupperware to reach the required area to do the work, but it is very time consuming. Also, the requirement to do so is very limited. In defense of Harley bikes, tho, if the maintenance is done correctly, they are very reliable, although not up to Honda standards for longevity. That V Twin design is self defeating, for long lived efficiency. But then, what 2 cylinder anything can stand up beside a six cylinder anything? A Goldwing is pretty much a two wheeled car when it comes to long life and prosperity. So, Live Long and Prosper.

[TwoTone Trike]

I agree about all the tupperware. But once you've done it on a 1500 it's really not that bad. With all the how to's on here I've been able to replace the timing belts and tensioners, cruise,sub and air filters, flush the radiator and clutches. So even though I've had to buy a bunch of metric wrenches it will all be worth it in the long run, thanks in part to all of you good folks on here. It's nice to know that help is just a keystroke away. Thanks, Tony.

[WingAdmin]

I'm pretty quick on the GL1500 at taking the bodywork off, although I admit sometimes I will defer doing something just because I know how long it's going to take to get the bodywork off and back on.

Now the PC800 - that bike is a nightmare to uncover. There's a whole section in the manual dedicated to "how to take the bodywork off and in what order."

[TwoTone Trike]

Yea after you've done it on a 1500 it's pretty much a piece of cake except for the shifter shaft brace. I had to take the running board off to get to it.