Step Cover Replacement

[njhenneman]

I have a 1995 SE and I'm trying to replace the old broken step covers.
Can anyone tell me or show me what needs to be removed to replace these covers?

[RoadRogue]

Would love to be able to help you but I have no idea what you are talking about when you say "step covers" can you post a picture for us?

[njhenneman]

Here's a picture of the replacment step covers.

They mount behind the passenger floor boards.

[Mag]

What needs to be removed....unfortunately it takes several things to remove that poor piece. Everything is put together with "nubs and grommets" and I believe also due to those pieces, you would have to remove the passenger footrests too. Do you have a service manual?

If I am not wrong....should be ....
- Passenger footrests
- Side cover
- Front side cover

That piece itself rests between the side cover and the curl up portion of the bottom of the bike.

Let me know, I still have my passenger floor boards off, I can take pics of what needs to be done tomorrow pretty quick.

[njhenneman]

If you can take some picture tomorrow that would help out a lot. I don't have a manual at this time.

[Mag]

Ok, easy stuff here.....you do not even have to remove the seat, which is great....Do this on both sides....

Everyone will recognize the pics, how can you improve on perfection, hope WingAdmin does not mind (wink wink)

1. Remove the right side cover. Start by pulling the bottom front post free from its grommet.

2. Next pull the bottom rear post free. Pull the bottom slightly toward you - but not too far, or you risk snapping off the remaining post! Pull the cover free from the metal post at the top front, then gently work the top rear post free of its grommet, and pull the side cover away.

3. Pull the front side cover free of its grommet.

4. Unscrew the passenger floor boards, there are two allen screws that you have to work on.

5. Pull the top of the step cover toward you just a little, then lift out.

TA DA!!! (Hope this works)

[njhenneman]

Thanks for the pictures Mag.
I will work on the bike this weekend...
I assume it's basically the same for the SE models with the floorboard height adjustment system.

Thanks again for you help!

[WingAdmin]

Thanks for the pictures Mag.
I will work on the bike this weekend...
I assume it's basically the same for the SE models with the floorboard height adjustment system.

No, it's not. I tried to find some pictures of mine, and realized I had never taken any.

To start, make sure both steps are in the highest position.

First you have to remove the cover from the bottom. There are two screws to remove from the bottom of this cover. The left and right covers are identical - there are three screw holes in the bottom. Both sides use the middle screw hole, but then you use the rearmost hole as well - the frontmost hole is unused (when installed on the other side, it becomes the rearmost hole).

Once that cover is removed, you have to slide the bellows stay off the bottom of the step mount. This stay is a flat piece of metal connected to the bellows, and holds the bottom of the bellows down to the bottom of the bracket. Once you slide the stay off the bracket, the bellows will pop up, exposing the two allen bolts. Those two allen bolts are what fastens the whole step to the bike, remove those two and the step comes free (although it will still be connected with the adjustment cable).

Putting it back on is a real pain. Positioning the step in place and fastening it with the allen bolts is easy. Getting the bellows stay in place so that it doesn't cover up the screw holes, then the bracket cover, then the screws lined up with the holes, is a job that can task your patience. Sometimes it goes perfectly the first time. Sometimes it takes 15 minutes of attempts.

Hope this helps a bit!

Adjustable Footrests

[njhenneman]

Thanks for the diagram.
I was able to manually extend the floorboard then it was a piece of cake.
Except for the reassembly of the cover as you stated.

Thanks for all the information. Now I need to figure out why the cable does not function. But a low priority,

[fnickel]

I'm glad somebody else started this post. I have even more questions now that I have read this far. Back to the original poster's first question. What are the options for replacing these covers? Mine are both broken in half (on a '92 SE Model). They are chrome and plastic, and seem very fragile. I'm not sure if they are the factory originals (just got the bike a few months ago and am trying to repair things for spring). Are there good quality (strong) aftermarket versions available for a much more reasonable price than the originals? I'm OK with these even if I need to paint them.

I was able to get mine off without removing anything else, probably because they were broken in half. Somebody mentioned cable stays and adjustments. Am I missing something? What does the cable adjust and where does it attach? Maybe that was never replaced on mine, or did the SE not come with that? I'm a little overwhelmed with the amount of stuff, plastic, adjustments and doodads (some of it crap) on this machine. I'm coming from riding a vintage early '70's naked bike, and my only previous Goldwing was a '79, so all this stuff seems like a little overkill to me. But I'm not complaining yet. I know it will all be worthwhile when I get it on the road. Thanks for the tips and info.

[njhenneman]

http://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500_ ... ers/79/741

I tried to provide a like to the Step Covers I purchased. They were from Cyclemax.com.
They seemed to be the same as the ones I replaced heavy plastic.
As for the cable I don't know how to adjust them.

[dladika]

Would love to be able to help you but I have no idea what you are talking about when you say "step covers" can you post a picture for us?

I'm about to do the very same thing; ordered the cover, but am looking for "how to" on the procedure. For all the others out there; these covers are the rubber boot that covers the lift mechanism for the passenger steps. The SE has a lift mechanism for passengers with short legs.

[dladika]

Would love to be able to help you but I have no idea what you are talking about when you say "step covers" can you post a picture for us?

I'm about to do the very same thing; ordered the cover, but am looking for "how to" on the procedure. For all the others out there; these covers are the rubber boot that covers the lift mechanism for the passenger steps. The SE has a lift mechanism for passengers with short legs.

I just finished replacing the step cover on the left side. By this I mean the "accordion" rubber boot that covers the lift mechanism on the passenger floorboards, not the chrome piece behind it. It was a tedious and difficult task that took me about 3 hours and a few choice words. If anyone has any questions about this now that I've survived it, just contact me directly. DougL

[rowdyjoe]

Glad I found this thread. My 1993 SE needs the "Link cover boot" (eg. belows) on both sides. Anyone know where I might find those new ...or used undamaged ?

[Rambozo]

There is a left side NOS on ebay right now. If you watch long enough, they do turn up there. Another option is salvage yards.
You can also go the DIY route with rectangular rubber accordion bellows from McMaster Carr or way covers from machinery companies. Be warned they are not cheap.

50835-MT8-771

50735-MT8-771