New Owner of an Old Gold Wing

[MaineStreet]

I purchased a '99 GW GL1500 SE this past weekend and joined the forum yesterday. While the bike started and I let it run for nearly a half hour before purchasing, I couldn't ride it because the driveway where I purchased it was a sheet of ice (northern Maine). I got what I consider a good price based on what I saw, but I don't know exactly what lurks below. I've attached a picture of the bike, and here is a list (in no particular order) of what I currently want to do to it. Please augment my list as you see fit. I don't want to major on the minors.

• Brakes - bleed/new fluid; check pads and rotors
  Clutch - bleed/flush w/ new fluid
  Carbs - seafoam in gas; check balance
  Engine lube - seafoam cleanse; new oil and filter
  Tires - new
  Head stock bearings - check & change as needed
  Engine coolant - check
  Side & center stands - grease and check cutoff switch
  Drive Shaft - final drive oil; shaft spline check/grease
  Throttle & clutch cables - check for binding/replace as needed
  Air filter - check/change
  Buttons - clean with contact cleaner

I am told that the timing belt was just changed. I want to 'trust but verify' - how do I do this? 75K miles on this machine.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

[WingsandThings]

Hi neighbor, nice bike.
It is possibe (not guaranteed) that there may be a sticker on the timing belt cover with the date and mileage of the last timing belt replacement.
If you look in the DYI section there is a thread on how to replace timing belts.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9774

This is an interesting tutorial and will tell you how to get to the timing belt cover. You may only have to remove the fairing center pieces to see the timing belt cover.

[klppdx70]

Nice looking bike. I agree with the previous comment regarding checking for the timing belt sticker. If no sticker, then I would go ahead and replace the belts if for no other reason than to have a known baseline. Your list looks good otherwise. I'd recommend replacing all fluids (same baseline maintenance reasoning) and there are one or two smaller sub-filters that you might add to the list. Aside from that, you will find this site to be an incredible resource, both with the level of knowledge the experienced members are willing to share, as well as the excellent work by WingAdmin in putting this all together. The DIY sections is very well done.
I bought a '95 Intersate as a 'Covid project', and did everything on your list and quite a bit more, all possible due to this site. While there are electronic versions of the manuals available here, I found an original 1995 shop manual, including the electrical troubleshooting section, for a reasonable price on ebay. This has also been indispensable. There is something about having a hard copy to refer to in the shop.. Enjoy the bike, and welcome to the forum!

[Andy Cote]

Welcome neighbor. Sharp looking Goldwing.

Quite a list already. Supposed to get to 50 on Friday so you better get busy.

Do you have a service manual? Many of the things on your list are in this forum's How-To section and might even have You-Tube tutorials but it never hurts to have the book in front of you.

If you get to the point of looking at the belts (and possibly the sticker), might as well change them. Just a couple minutes and they are cheap. Also, wait until you have the fork tubes off to give more visibility/access. Easier to pull the timing covers with one of the radiator hoses removed so that's the time to dump and replace the anti-freeze. Can do without but, again, make life easy and it's not that much money. It's in the article but a reminder to keep track of which timing cover bolts go where and which have sealant on them.

The steering stem bearings take a beating. You'll have a choice of OEM roller bearings or tapered bearings. Different installation procedures. The articles talk about them.

The forks also take a beating. If you do the stem bearings, go for the fork seals as well. If not, keep an eye out for leakage. I recommend using only OEM parts and changing the bushings at the same time. I have tools for the fork seals that you could borrow. Sorry but I do not have the right tool for the steering bearings.

When it comes time to tear into the driveshaft/final drive/rear tire/brakes, take a look at both the "book method" and the subframe "up and over method." Pros and cons for each with lots of stories in the How-To.

Oh, there are a couple air sub-filters to change.

Give a shout if you want some help, moral support or when you are ready to go for a ride.

[MaineStreet]

Air filters are a great addition. I'll check/change plugs, too. Thank you for suggesting the timing belt sticker. That would provide piece of mind for sure. Fork seals looked good, so I'm hopeful there.

Regarding riding Friday, it crossed my mind! I would take my Super Tenere and not the GW. However, we may get snow Thursday night which dampens my enthusiasm for an early start Friday morning. Won't be long before March riding is here!

[MaineStreet]

So glad I bled the clutch & brakes. Despite PO's claim that the bike 'was meticulously kept', the fluids looked like root beer.

One question, does the rear caliper bleeder bolt take a smaller diameter tubing?

[blupupher]

Seems you have most things on your list.
The rear nipple should be the same size as others from what I remember.
Just take a look through the 1500 how to section and see if there is anything else you may need to look into.
I know I also did the air shock fluid service, air pump desiccant service, adjust cruise control set point (so it sets right when you press set, not a delay then set), look into getting a few replacement relays here from the site, and a few other things.

One thing I would look at is getting an original shift shaft pivot before they are gone.
e-bay link. Helps support the shift shaft and makes shifts much better.
It is designed and made by a member here, but his design has been ripped off by hacks from China and he just can't compete.

[Rednaxs60]

Lots of good recommendations from the collective. Nice looking bike, lots of miles left in the old girl. If you rebuild the front forks recommend replacing the OEM fork springs with a new set with a spring rate of 1.2 kg/mm - sonic springs are available in this spring rate. The 1500 is a heavy bike, lots of weight transferred to the front when stopping, and springs don't last forever. Enjoy your new ride.

[MaineStreet]

Great suggestions, thank you. I'm making headway, but I'm not rushing. I've got a month or more till riding seasons starts.

[MaineStreet]

Finished the brake bleed. I lifted the trunk and saddlebag assembly up to get better access to the rear caliper. Getting that assembly ready to lift was .... an experience. BUT now that it's out of the way, I can do the shock fluids, rear tire, final drive fluid and shaft pinion gear lube.

I also took off the cover panel on the front. I was hoping to see a sticker noting when the timing belt was changed. However, no sticker. Bummer. Are the usually just inder the fairing front cover on the black plastic timing belt cover?

[Andy Cote]

Sticker could be anywhere - or no where. Not everybody even uses them.

[offcenter]

I put my sticker on the inside of the trunk lid.