GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
- Sidcar
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- Motorcycle: 1995 GL1500 SE (20th Anniversary) and Squire RX4 sidecar
GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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
When it comes to spares Honda are a pain in the a***!
Sid
- WingAdmin
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
It depends.Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 amThe 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
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:
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
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
I can only assume that "gaiter" is a rubber boot because that seems to be what you are talking about Scott.WingAdmin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:53 amIt depends.Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 amThe 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
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.
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).
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Sidcar
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
To avoid confusion when I say right hand I'm looking from the rear.
Sid
Sid
- MikeB
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- WingAdmin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
oops, you're totally right. It's been a long time since I had OEM shocks on my GL1500.MikeB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 10:39 amI can only assume that "gaiter" is a rubber boot because that seems to be what you are talking about Scott.WingAdmin wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:53 amIt depends.Sidcar wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 7:44 amThe 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
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.
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).

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
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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.
-
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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.
Experience in the Maintenance Field: Nothing is "Foolproof" to the Talented Fool. There are some that would break an anvil with a rubber mallet.
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
Anyone locate Gaiters (Boots) for the Forks??
BTW ;<) any good reason (other than money) Honda did not have these for the Goldwing? pc
BTW ;<) any good reason (other than money) Honda did not have these for the Goldwing? pc
- MikeB
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
They look out of place?pocketchange wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:16 pmAnyone locate Gaiters (Boots) for the Forks??
BTW ;<) any good reason (other than money) Honda did not have these for the Goldwing? pc
Aesthetically unappealing?
Looks necessary on a dirt bike but out of place on a touring bike?
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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
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
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Re: GL 1500 Suspension gaiter
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.