GL1500 - 1995 ANTI DIVE

[rider1939]

I there a way to defeat the anti dive on the 1500s?

[MikeB]

Just about anything can be defeated but why would you want to? What will it solve to defeat it?

[Rambozo]

Lots of ways to do that. But why? It actually works pretty good considering the massive weight of these bikes.
One easy and reversable way is to place a spacer over the valve piston so the caliper can't press on it. Ghetto version could even be a stack of flat washers.

[rider1939]

I might not defeat it, I just want to know how to defeat it if I find it an issue. I just got this bike and never owned a Goldwing before, nor any bike with anti-dive. Anyway, I'll be leaving it on "for a while".

I've been riding since 1956 and never had anti dive. I have a 7 bikes ranging from a 1974 Ducati GT750 to my favorite, a '94 VFR, and am tuned into how a bikes handle under braking. I've read a few articles as to what the AD system does and how it reacts and it concerns me. The idea of having my suspension stiffen up on a rough Vermont or West Virginia road concerns me. I might not want have to deal with it.

If I defeat it, I'll try and tune the suspension accordingly. I can always go back to anti-dive.

Josh - - OH, thanks Rambozo for the tip. I'll know more about how it all works when I overhaul the forks this Winter.

[Andy Cote]

You will come to appreciate that your 30 year old bike has engineering features that many new bikes still don't offer including anti-dive front suspension and linked brakes.

BTW, you can update your profile to reflect the 1500.

[Rambozo]

I remember when the VFR first came out it was one of the first bikes to have the TRAC anti-dive same as the GL1500. Did Honda drop it for the later years, or replace it with something else?

[rider1939]

You've got me on whether any VFR had anti dive. I know the 1990-2000 VFRs did not have AD. I no longer have the stock front end on my '94, which did not have AD. I have a set of Ohlin units, I transferred from my 2002 RC51/SP2. The RC51 was a fun bike, but easily got one into trouble. What I really miss was it's motor coming out of corners.

Looking forward to learning the 1500 idiosyncrasies. Though I'm positive that I'll delink the brakes. The little I've driven it, it has caused issues with me. I don't use the rear brake anywhere near as much on my other bikes as mush as it's needed on the 1500. It's sort of like owning a right hand shift bike and a left hand shifting bike, one has to momentarily stop and think about which bike am I on, and that moment can kill you. One of the reasons the industry went to linked brakes was they knew that most new riders didn't trust the front brakes, they thought the bike would do endows or the front end would skid out from under them, and they also were familiar with using their right foot to apply the brakes, in their cars. All-in-all when one uses the 1500 rear & front together the braking is very good.

[WingAdmin]

My 1984 750 Interceptor had TRAC.

The suspension on the GL1500 is relatively soft, and really has to be, or the bike will get beat to pieces on rough roads. Without the anti-dive in place, you're going to be pointing down at the ground uncomfortably every time you brake.

In practice, with properly maintained and adjusted suspension and anti-dive, you shouldn't notice it taking effect at ALL. You would definitely notice it if it was not working.

[rider1939]

Thanks, WingAdmin

Very good advice. Much appreciated. As I said, I'll overhaul the forks this winter, find out what springs are in it, change out if stock and possibly go to Emulators, if I have the $$ at the time. Probably 10W fork oil, although I'm seeing a lot of 15W being used successfully.

Time will tell.

[WingAdmin]

Thanks, WingAdmin

Very good advice. Much appreciated. As I said, I'll overhaul the forks this winter, find out what springs are in it, change out if stock and possibly go to Emulators, if I have the $$ at the time. Probably 10W fork oil, although I'm seeing a lot of 15W being used successfully.

Time will tell.

I'm not aware of any cartridge/emulators that are speced/fit in the GL1500. Pretty much the gold standard for the 1500's is a set of Progressive springs.

10W fork oil (or ATF, also 10W) works well. I tried 15W oil in my forks for a while, but it was just too firm, I was getting slammed on every bump, and it just wasn't comfortable. I went back to 10W fork oil and it was so much better.

[Happytrails]

My 1984 750 Interceptor had TRAC.

The suspension on the GL1500 is relatively soft, and really has to be, or the bike will get beat to pieces on rough roads. Without the anti-dive in place, you're going to be pointing down at the ground uncomfortably every time you brake.

In practice, with properly maintained and adjusted suspension and anti-dive, you shouldn't notice it taking effect at ALL. You would definitely notice it if it was not working.

Thinking my 1986 750 Interceptor also had TRAC.

Rebuilt forks a couple years ago and surprised found out progressive springs inside not stock. Put the 10w fork oil back in and it felt softer ride than before.

[Rednaxs60]

Honda had the TRAC system on its CX500T/CX650T bikes in '82/'83.

[Rednaxs60]

I'm not aware of any cartridge/emulators that are speced/fit in the GL1500. Pretty much the gold standard for the 1500's is a set of Progressive springs.

10W fork oil (or ATF, also 10W) works well. I tried 15W oil in my forks for a while, but it was just too firm, I was getting slammed on every bump, and it just wasn't comfortable. I went back to 10W fork oil and it was so much better.

Race Tech shows a kit for the 1500. Emulator Kit FEGV S4104 includes 1.0kg Springs. Inner Fork Bushings also included. Anti-dive is disabled and not required when using Emulators.

[Rambozo]

Traxxion Dynamics also has a cartridge kit for the GL1500.
A friend of mine said he had a set of gold valves that he never got around to installing that I could have, but he has yet to find them.

[Rednaxs60]

Traxxion Dynamics also has a cartridge kit for the GL1500.
A friend of mine said he had a set of gold valves that he never got around to installing that I could have, but he has yet to find them.

The gold valves are for compression not rebound. The oil weight is used to control the rebound damping. Have to increase the number of holes in the
lower rod as well, need 4 - 1/2 inch holes, have to drill the OEM holes to the 1/2 inch.

Talked to Traxxion as well, can do 1200 forks. My long term '85 Limited Edition retirement project may get a set to complement the Hagon rear shocks. Had the Traxxion "full monty" installed on my 1800 when I had it.