What is this under my 2013 GL1800?

[dand]

When I was loading my 2013 onto a trailer, the bottom of the bike scraped this plastic piece with what looks like reflective heat tape on it. Some of the tape came off. What is this piece? It looks like a container with fluid in it.

[kwthom]

Coolant overflow container - I've never seen the tape on it, though.

Did you buy this bike new, or used?

It should not be hanging that low; something hit it which has jarred it loose.

[WingAdmin]

Very poor design on the part of Honda having that plastic container dangling down where the front wheel can kick up debris into it. Many owners install a protective metal shield to prevent this from happening.

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[dand]

Coolant overflow container - I've never seen the tape on it, though.

Did you buy this bike new, or used?

It should not be hanging that low; something hit it which has jarred it loose.

I bought it used, but it is bolted securely to frame. No room for it to go any higher

[dand]

Very poor design on the part of Honda having that plastic container dangling down where the front wheel can kick up debris into it. Many owners install a protective metal shield to prevent this from happening.

Unfortunately, if I would install the plate, I'd have even less ground clearance when loading onto the trailer. As of now, I have to raise the rear preload to the upper limit or add blocks to my ramp to decrease the angle so I don't scrape the bottom.

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[kwthom]

Coolant overflow container - I've never seen the tape on it, though.

Did you buy this bike new, or used?

It should not be hanging that low; something hit it which has jarred it loose.

I bought it used, but it is bolted securely to frame. No room for it to go any higher

I suspect it may be broken, then - it definitely should NOT be hanging that low.

Mine isn't (and yes, I have a belly pan on mine)

[Andy Cote]

Agree with all above. While the tank is in a bad location, it should not be exposed below the frame. This needs to be investigated and corrected. The belly pan will not reduce your ground clearance by more than 1/16" and should be added once the tank is replaced. Point is moot though as you should never trailer a Goldwing (just kidding on that).

[dand]

I removed the mounting bolt for the reservoir. The plastic tab that the bolt goes through is not broken. Everything seems to be intact. The tank sits at about the same height as the bottom of the engine. Is that normal?

[WingAdmin]

Here's a picture I found, someone has already wrapped aluminum around their coolant reservoir to protect it - but you can see it's nowhere near as low as yours is hanging down:

GL1800 Coolant Reservoir with shield

Here's another photo showing the tank as it comes from the factory:

Tank with no shield

[dand]

That protective tape looks like what is on mine

[Terry D]

I have a belly pan on my 2005 specifically to protect the coolant bottle. My bike has been lowered 1 3/4 inches. Every time I meet with my GW Chapter friends, I have to drive over speed bumps and the bottom rubs. But only the belly pan is taking the scrapes. Money well spent. Raising the bike to it's highest level is minor when loading onto a trailer compared to damaging anything underneath the bike. If your bottle is hanging too low, compared to other's then maybe you have a bent bracket at the top. I'm just guessing.

[WingAdmin]

That protective tape looks like what is on mine

It came from the factory with that protective foil tape.

[dand]

Here is another pic of the underside with my camera level. I've removed the mounting bolt, checked that the notch on the left side of tank is secure to the rib on the frame and reinstalled bolt. Does it look like it's still hanging too low? I don't see any way of getting it any higher. I've ordered a belly pan. When I install it, will it force the tank up a little.

[tamathumper]

Is it the correct part? Might be a coolant tank off another model.

[dand]

Is it the correct part? Might be a coolant tank off another model.

How would I be able to tell without comparing it to a new one?

[tamathumper]

Is there a part number on it anywhere?

[kwthom]

Is it the correct part? Might be a coolant tank off another model.

19110-MCA-000

same from '01 - '17

[tamathumper]

Was thinking it might be off another model, as opposed to another model year. I don't know what the coolant tank on a CTX looks like, for instance, but maybe it's similar but taller?

[Wingsconsin]

I think it is just a trick of the eye due to the angle of the photo -
The 'level' shot does not show it hanging way down -
I suspect it is fine and was taped as a protection method
A belly pan is what I use to keep my coolant tank from getting a puncture.

[Asphaltmaniac]

Save your money 4get the belly pan...I have 250K on my wing never a coolant tank problem.
That plastic is mighty thick.

[dand]

Thanks to all who responded. I stopped at the local Honda dealer today and looked at a 2012 and 2016. Both had the tank hanging at the same height as mine. I have a belly pan ordered. When that is installed it will give me some peace of mind.