'98 GL1500 Hard on Oil

[Goldwinger98]

I have a '98 Honda GL1500 GL1500SE Goldwing that I purchased new. It has 71,000 miles on it's odometer. This motorcycle has always been extremely "finicky" regarding oil change frequency. I cannot remember an actual 3000 mile oil change interval as recommended by the owners manual. Oil changes are required with an average of 12-15,000 miles due to
difficult transmission shifting. I have used all motorcycle grade oils and viscosity's attempting to alleviate the apparent "break down" of the oil to no avail. Shifting becomes difficult
and quite noticeable when this occurs. It's not un-common to change the oil and filter three time in a relatively short riding season of 3000 miles to maintain some degree of un-impeded or difficult shifting. I maintain this bike to impeccable standards and have ruled out clutch fluid issues as it is replaced and bled frequently. I have used a wide range of oils based on suggestions from this site. Mobil 1, Amsoil "full" synthetic oils have had the least favorable effect. Currently I am using Yamaha 20w-50 Semi-Synthetic oil, however this only yields good shifting for a short duration also. Note: Engine coolant levels are maintained and engine temperature has always observed to be normal. It appears the oil is breaking down, or becoming "sheared". Without oil sample testing this is only my speculation. Within a short time of changing the oil, the machine once again resumes smooth shifting of gears. I was curious if other GL1500 owners have experienced similar difficulty.

[Goldwinger98]

Having received no member input on my previous post, "GL1500 Hard on oil" . I decided to write a "follow up" update to this issue. First I like to say the transmission on this ride has always been a bit "clunky". I have read that this was a common complaint on the 1500's. Add to this, the dreaded 4th gear shift issue which has been with the bike since new.
By this, I mean that this transition is rarely smooth. I have since installed a Shifter Pivot which has noticeably improved shifts. The original shifter lever design by Honda was ill-fated as it allowed excessive up and down play at the case shaft. Since my last post, I have added Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer to my Engine oil. Lucas recommends adding 10 percent to the oil on motorcycles with wet clutches (12-13ozs). I have driven the motorcycle over 300 miles since adding Lucas Oil Stabilizer and shifting ease has greatly improved with no noticeable clutch slip, for those of you having reservations. I would highly recommend this product to other Gold Wing owners.

[Swagonmaster]

I can't help you with your oil issue but I can give you my experience with a loose shifter. I bought my '90 model with a Markland heel toe shifter and floor boards on the bike. I read about the need for adding a shift linkage support and did that and it made a lot of difference. Later I realized that the pivot bolt for the heel toe had come loose and allowing a little bit of play that screwed up the shifting a bunch. Lesson here is if the shifter isn't very firm and precise shift quality goes in the toilet very fast and with the wankie linkage that Honda used this includes everything all of the way into the case so check to make sure that everything has as little flex as possible.

[Happytrails]

Would maybe have to agree original shifter design could have been improved. Shifter pivot is really nice makes me wonder why honda not think of this but it was money well spent to add one. Would possibly say every honda motorcycle I've owned over the years has that clunk shift. Maybe yours is worse somehow but to me it just seems like classic honda shift. Can no really offer advice about your oil other than maybe its time for you to send in for test to see and perhaps even post your results. Good luck with your issues

[Swagonmaster]

Another thing I do is to try to match my engine shift speed to as close to what the trans likes also, shifts slick as butter at about 3k revs but can't always do that.

[FM-USA]

Having received no member input on my previous post, "GL1500 Hard on oil" . I decided to write a "follow up" update to this issue. First I like to say the transmission on this ride has always been a bit "clunky". I have read that this was a common complaint on the 1500's. Add to this, the dreaded 4th gear shift issue which has been with the bike since new.
By this, I mean that this transition is rarely smooth. I have since installed a Shifter Pivot which has noticeably improved shifts. The original shifter lever design by Honda was ill-fated as it allowed excessive up and down play at the case shaft. Since my last post, I have added Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer to my Engine oil. Lucas recommends adding 10 percent to the oil on motorcycles with wet clutches (12-13ozs). I have driven the motorcycle over 300 miles since adding Lucas Oil Stabilizer and shifting ease has greatly improved with no noticeable clutch slip, for those of you having reservations. I would highly recommend this product to other Gold Wing owners.

I've used L.O.S. and found it was the issue where finding neutral was REALLY difficult.
I since switched to Hy-Per oil supplement & in about 4-5 oil changes, finding neutral was nearing normal again. Lucas was gumming up since it's not pressure flushed in that area.
I've let oil changes go a little to long & know your hard shifting. But with 250K miles and still on the OEM clutch apparently I didn't do much damage.
PLEASE, don't let oil changes go to long, it does harm where friction occurs.

Getting into & keeping a rhythm shifting these Wings is rather difficult.
_As you found out, older oil shifting gets harder.
_Shifting at different RPM's, each have their quirks.
_Toe pressure on shifts is another, to soft & you may get gear buzz or missed shifts. Hard gets gear dog BANGS!
_Speed of or anxiousness of the up/down shifts is another.
Change up all these in various ways and it's near impossible to remember what to do and when.

Scott says he can SNICKER his shifts, quite true, as many can but not all the time.
What I've come to learn, after 100's of K miles, a firm, complete & semi quick up/downshift is one key.
If you're traveling relaxed you'll be pulling the clutch lever in ALL the way.
Quicker accelerations the RPM shifting isn't much of a factor anymore. I'm not saying NOT to use your clutch like pro-racers but a partial decoupling of the clutch plates WITH the mentioned quick & firm shifts produce rather clean shifts. What's occurring is as the oil gets in between the clutch plates but the plates are so close there's still forward pressure, much like an automatic trans torque converter. If you partial miss a shift your bike won't lurch for or aft wards as harsh, unless you're quick enough to pull in the clutch quickly.

HOPE ALL THIS HELPS

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[Goldwinger98]

Thank-you for your post! I honestly did 'nt believe that I was the only GL1500 incurring this dilemma. You are correct, shifting technique has taken on a whole new meaning with this motorcycle. I have found 4th gear shifts are better at certain rpm's or quicker shifting practices. I purchased this machine new and thought it would "break - in" over time. Years ago I wrote to Stu Oltman, who wrote a column in Wing World Magazine. His reply was that I needed to change my shifting technique. He suggested "pre-loading" the shifter as I got ready to shift each gear. Having never had this issue with my five previous motorcycles, I thought that his advice was covering for a flaw in the GL1500 gearbox, (considering the hefty price ($17,000) I paid back in 1998 for what I believed to be the ultimate ride). I will try some Hy-per oil next oil change...as I stated in my post, this bike is hard on oil!

[FM-USA]

HARD ON OIL is almost an understatement.
At time I get 1500 miles & 'need to' add HY-PER but it's inevitable the oil must be changed by 2500 miles.
When I need to add it, it's 2 oz at a time. That gets me (give-take) 1250 extra miles B4 oil change.
(for you nay-sayers) Yes I still do my oil taste for acids & an oil drop flowing on my finger for testing dirty oil. IT WORKS.
Another thing... I picked up 2 dozen Purolator 14612 9short) oil filters reasonably cheap. Around 2k miles (depending on oil dirtiness) I'll change it & continue using the current oil. It really does make a difference in smoothing out the motor, tho not like fresh oil but close.
I've got more info but I get publicly hounded so if you're interested, PM me.

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[gford]

I only ever used 10w40 from walmart and changed it every 5K, the bike has close to 300K on it and shifts a smooth as it did when new.