GL 1500 Suspension gaiter

Sidcar · Post by **Sidcar** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 am

The right hand rear suspension unit gaiter on my 95 GL1500 has split. The Honda dealer tells me I have to buy a new suspension unit as the gaiter doesn't come separate. Anyone had the same problem if so how did you solve it?
When it comes to spares Honda are a pain in the a***!

Sid

Post by **WingAdmin** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:53 am

Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 am The right hand rear suspension unit gaiter on my 95 GL1500 has split. The Honda dealer tells me I have to buy a new suspension unit as the gaiter doesn't come separate. Anyone had the same problem if so how did you solve it?
When it comes to spares Honda are a pain in the a***!

Sid

It depends.

OEM shocks come with a spring and strut on the right side that does not have a shock boot/bellows. The left side is an air shock that does have a boot:

: Rear suspension

Assuming your shocks are OEM, the part number for the left side is H52611-MN5-003. Cyclemax keeps them in stock:

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... 102/245039

If you have a boot on the right rear, then the shocks are not OEM, and depending on the manufacturer, you may or may not be able to find a manufacturer original boot for it. That said, there are also many aftermarket "one size fits all" boots that you can buy and cut to fit. I would not be replacing a perfectly good shock just because a boot has split.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:39 am

WingAdmin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:53 am
Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 am The right hand rear suspension unit gaiter on my 95 GL1500 has split. The Honda dealer tells me I have to buy a new suspension unit as the gaiter doesn't come separate. Anyone had the same problem if so how did you solve it?
When it comes to spares Honda are a pain in the a***!

Sid
It depends.

OEM shocks come with a spring and strut on the right side that does not have a shock boot/bellows. The left side is an air shock that does have a boot:

Rear Shocks.GIF

Assuming your shocks are OEM, the part number for the left side is H52611-MN5-003. Cyclemax keeps them in stock:

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... 102/245039

If you have a boot on the right rear, then the shocks are not OEM, and depending on the manufacturer, you may or may not be able to find a manufacturer original boot for it. That said, there are also many aftermarket "one size fits all" boots that you can buy and cut to fit. I would not be replacing a perfectly good shock just because a boot has split.

I can only assume that "gaiter" is a rubber boot because that seems to be what you are talking about Scott.

But, the right OEM "shock" on the right does have a rubber boot on it. You have your sides mixed up. Air adjust shock on right, spring/oil shock on left. I know you know that but you were perhaps a bit turned around when you wrote this.
Suitable substitute boots are available from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AWC25GC/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it) and actual OEM boot from Honda (part #52611-MN5-003)and Cyclemax (https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ot_/245039).

Sidcar · Post by **Sidcar** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:07 pm

To avoid confusion when I say right hand I'm looking from the rear.

Sid

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:24 pm

No confusion here. Left and right sides are always left and right as the rider sits on the motorcycle. As in multi-wheel vehicles, left and right is as the driver sits in the vehicle.

Post by **WingAdmin** » Tue Sep 04, 2018 1:37 pm

MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:39 am
WingAdmin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:53 am
Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 am The right hand rear suspension unit gaiter on my 95 GL1500 has split. The Honda dealer tells me I have to buy a new suspension unit as the gaiter doesn't come separate. Anyone had the same problem if so how did you solve it?
When it comes to spares Honda are a pain in the a***!

Sid
It depends.

OEM shocks come with a spring and strut on the right side that does not have a shock boot/bellows. The left side is an air shock that does have a boot:

Rear Shocks.GIF

Assuming your shocks are OEM, the part number for the left side is H52611-MN5-003. Cyclemax keeps them in stock:

https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... 102/245039

If you have a boot on the right rear, then the shocks are not OEM, and depending on the manufacturer, you may or may not be able to find a manufacturer original boot for it. That said, there are also many aftermarket "one size fits all" boots that you can buy and cut to fit. I would not be replacing a perfectly good shock just because a boot has split.
I can only assume that "gaiter" is a rubber boot because that seems to be what you are talking about Scott.

But, the right OEM "shock" on the right does have a rubber boot on it. You have your sides mixed up. Air adjust shock on right, spring/oil shock on left. I know you know that but you were perhaps a bit turned around when you wrote this.
Suitable substitute boots are available from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AWC25GC/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it) and actual OEM boot from Honda (part #52611-MN5-003)and Cyclemax (https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/gl1500 ... ot_/245039).

oops, you're totally right. It's been a long time since I had OEM shocks on my GL1500.

I had them reversed - the air shock WITH the boot is on the right side, the one on the left does not have one.

In which case the Cyclemax link I gave is the correct OEM replacement. I haven't tried the Harley boot in the Amazon listing, but it looks very similar as well.

Bluewaterhooker0 · Post by **Bluewaterhooker0** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:33 am

You can save yourself some time and money by getting a Monroe boot # SA1997. It is a universal fit boot that has been used by myself and others as a replacement. With minor trimming, and tie-wraps to lock it in place, it will fit just fine. And, it is only about $7 instead of $30 or more, available at just about any auto parts store.

wiretician · Post by **wiretician** » Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:37 am

I replaced the shock boots on my 1200 with some I found on eBay, for about $17 and change. Ad said they were for Harley shocks, but gave some dimensions. Pulled out the tape and did some eyeballing, decided that it was worth a try. They fit good. Besides the purpose is to protect the seal and rod from dirt and moisture.

pocketchange · Post by **pocketchange** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:16 pm

Anyone locate Gaiters (Boots) for the Forks??
BTW ;<) any good reason (other than money) Honda did not have these for the Goldwing? pc

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:54 pm

pocketchange wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:16 pm Anyone locate Gaiters (Boots) for the Forks??
BTW ;<) any good reason (other than money) Honda did not have these for the Goldwing? pc

They look out of place?
Aesthetically unappealing?
Looks necessary on a dirt bike but out of place on a touring bike?

pocketchange · Post by **pocketchange** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:57 pm

Being in TEXAS, Love Bugs and other garbage, gets on the front of whatever and eat/ruin paint.
I agree boots are less than appealing .. but, they do reduce the service interval for forks.
Again, anyone have a source for Gaiters that fit a GL1500? pc

Rambozo · Post by **Rambozo** » Thu Sep 26, 2019 5:59 pm

Seen them fitted to 1800. There are plenty of universal types, just measure what you need. The split type won't even need the forks removed to install, and would probably go a long way to keeping crap out of there. Also look at Shock Sox, and Seal Savers. A soft velcro or zip on product for the dirt bike crowd. Might be just the ticket.

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