Radio buttons sticking

[ni0k]

I'm having trouble with the radio buttons (NOT the handlebar buttons) sticking. I ride a lot of gravel and tiny bits of gravel get in the area around the buttons. A Honda dealer mechanic told me to use plastic toothpick to clean the gravel out but I haven't had success with that. I've also tried spray lube but no joy with that either. The shop manual has no dis-assembly procedure for the button keyboard. Anyone been down this road?

[GoldWingrGreg]

Lube would be the worst thing to use. It helps collect dirt and dust.

If needed, once the shelter is off, the radio can be removed and the control panel removed from the top of the radio. I remove many control panels to replace the bulbs, but have only disassembled the control panel one time and my memory cannot offer any suggestions. However, once the control panel is off, I'm sure you'll figure it out without much difficulty. Once the buttons are removed, cleaning is easy.

[MikeB]

I'm having trouble with the radio buttons (NOT the handlebar buttons) sticking. I ride a lot of gravel and tiny bits of gravel get in the area around the buttons. A Honda dealer mechanic told me to use plastic toothpick to clean the gravel out but I haven't had success with that. I've also tried spray lube but no joy with that either. The shop manual has no dis-assembly procedure for the button keyboard. Anyone been down this road?

I had similar problems with the 2003 GL1800 I owned. I didn't think of the plastic toothpicks, nice idea. What I used was the back side of an Xacto Knife blade.
I noticed that when I depressed the button, the forward part of the button pretty much stayed stationary with the aft part of the button moving down. I had a couple of pieces of grit that had lodged in the forward part of a couple of buttons. I swiped the slender sharp object through the forward part of the button opening to clear the obstruction.
If the obstruction is multiple small pieces of grit, you can most likely blow them out with compressed air once you depress the buttons.

[PastoT]

An air hose works nicely, haven't tried canned air but I bet that would also work. I've changed out my radio lights a couple times and that also gave me the opportunity to clean the rubber button pad that covers the top of the radio circuit board itself (which also channels water away from the circuit board) and the edge of the buttons on top on at least two occasions. Certainly be delicate and do not tear or cut that rubber pad under the buttons or water will access the electronics!

[ni0k]

How do you disassemble the button assembly?

[MikeB]

You would need to remove the radio from the motorcycle first.
Here is an explaation on how to remove the radio: https://wingconnect.com/radio-removal

Then you have to remove the control panel that holds the buttons. I think there are only four screws that hold the panel in place.

[bhulse]

ni0k:
When I first washed my new '03' Goldwing I began the practice of laying a piece of 'cling wrap' or Saran Wrap over the radio to ENSURE no water got into the radio. I've had grit lodge in the buttons and road debris make them stick occasionally but whereas you frequently ride gravel you might think of laying a simple piece of cling wrap over the radio to keep out the offending rocks! You can see through it, push the buttons and simply wad it up and throw it away when you want to replace it!

[DelusionalM]

I found tiny cable ties did a good job of poking the grit out of the buttons.

Every winter I took the radio out and disassembled it for cleaning as well as replacing the air filter. (What else am I going to do in February?)
Once the radio is out I believe there are 4 screws that hold the button assemble to the radio case. There are two rows of pins that will disconnect as you pull it off the radio case.
Remove the 7 (I Think) screws labeled A - G

Remove the seal/contact plate

And take all the buttons out..

FYI the buttons are all keyed so they can only go into their correct location.
Tighten the 7ish screws in alphabetical order.
Be a bit careful when inserting the button assemble male pins into the female receiver of the radio case.