gears

This page is a collection of articles that our members have taken the time to write for your benefit. These articles are a collection of experiences that we have had when working on our GoldWings and should to be used as a guideline, not "Gospel.". Some content may have been unintentionally borrowed from other sources. We do not intend to infringe on copyrights or ownership of others materials. If you feel your work has been unfairly used please contact the administrator immediately to have it removed.
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Recommendations for New Owners of a GL1000 by Randakk
Starting a GL1000 after a Long Lay-up by Randakk
New2 U Bike? Read Me by Roady
Little known History of the GL1000
HondaGoldwing parts fiche

HondaGoldWing (1975-1987) Maintenance, Tech Tips and Mods

MAINTENANCE

Refer to shop manual when doing any maintenance

Engine

Removal/Installation

Engine Removal by Whiskerfish - Nice step by step pictorial

Timing Belts

Removal/Installation by Octane - THE most important thing you will do for your Wing.
Front Engine Renewal Project,GL1100 by Roady - All years and Models.
Rebuild the Timing Belt Tensioner-$20 by sandiegobrass - For those with more time than money.

Cylinder Heads

Head Job by RebelRouser- Complete overhaul of heads and valves.
Cams and Rockers Overhaul by Old Fogey - Heads are where the power's made!
Diagnosing a Blown Head Gasket by Roady - That Sweet White Smoke.
Low Compression? Find Out Why by ElPiloto - You'll need a broken spark plug for this one.
Valve Stem Oil Seal Swap, Head in Place by Alley Kat - New seals but no need for new head gaskets.
Torquing Head Bolts by Whiskerfish - Why we lube the bolts.
Replacing Head Gasket by ElPiloto - Tips and recommendations from an expert.
Tip for Refitting Heads and Timing Belts by MooseheadM5 - Loosen tappets all the way.

Valve Adjustment

GL1100 Valve Clearance Adjustment by Roady
FREE! Rocker Spindle Fix by Old Fogey - Use the unused section.

Crankshaft/Piston

Fuel System

Carburetor Clean/Removal/Rebuild/Synchronize

Rebuild by Octane - For GL1000 but applies to all Nekked years, '75 -'84.
Removal, GL1100 by Roady - Similar in all years.
Carburetor Overhaul, GL1100 by Roady - Good info for all years & models.
Carb Sync Observations by Frenchy & Whiskerfish
Scuffed CV Slide Repair - by Olered67. How to stop sputtering and bogging.
Carb Cleaning, Lazy But Fast and Furious by Octane - It may get you through the season.
Carb Vacuum Cover Fix by keddano - Stop sucking air---Permanently.

Fuel Tank/Fuel Pump

Fuelpump Rebuild GL1000 (It worked) by Peteybug - An advanced study for a machinist ... cool.
Replacing a Fuel Pump Diaphragm by DaveBern - Finding the material is the hard part.
Magical Gas Tank De-Rusting by BryanMD - The electrolytic process way.

Cooling System

Coolant/Radiator/Hoses

Cooling System Servicing by Sidecar Bob - GL1000/1100

Fan

Fan Thermo Switch Repair by Mark King (easy FIX!) All years, '75-'84.
Fan Thermo Switch Replacement by Roady (cheap FIX!) All years, '75-'84.

Water Pump

Water Pump Leak, Why & How by Octane - There are only 2 things it can leak.
Water Pump Rebuild (unsuccessful) by Octane - Lots of details, good pics, but, no-go.
Water Pump Job by Roady - For those who know how to get to it.

Clutch

Clutch Cable Replacement by RebelRouser & Octane - For 75-79 GL1000
Clutch Renewal. Engine in Frame by Octane - A tight fit, but it can be done.
Changing Clutch Lever Oil Seal in Bike by RebelRouser - Easy when you know how.
Clutch Centre Nut Removal by Old Fogey

Transmission

Final Drive

How to Replace the Drive Shaft by Kjeldbh - Applicable to most years.
How To Lubricate The Rear Drive Splines by Sodbuster - Using the proper grease.

Frame/Suspension

Buyers Beware!! Frame Rust by Whiskerfish - Check the centerstand angle.
GL1100 Fork Seal Replacement by Roady
Swing Arm Bearings- Removing and Fitting by Old Fogey - Step by step by step instructions.
Centre Stand by Old Fogey - Removal and Maintenance
Rebuilding Air Shocks by MrBsWing - Short instructions with lots of content.
Rear Shock Rebuild by Dwayne Hopkins - GL1100 Interstate.
1200 Rear Shock Rebuild byRCMatt007 - For all air shocks, check manual for your year.

Brakes

Brake Rebuild by Octane - GL1000 specific but all models benefit.
Fix a Sticky Rear Brake Pedal by Peteybug - Clean it up and add a grease zerk.

Wheels/Tires

Wheel Rebuild by Octane - WOW!
Wheel Bearing Maintenance by Old Fogey - Pays for itself, now that's PM.

Ignition

Ignition Timing

Points/Ignition Timing by Octane - Setting the points right the first time.
Ignition Wire Rebuild by Dwayne Hopkins - GL1100.
Ignition-Timing Problem/Worn Down Points-"tabs" by Octane - Watch for it and replace when needed.

Charging

Stator Plug Replacement Done Right by Technojock - The 3-big-wires fix.
Battery Maintenance by Sidecar Bob - Also, how a lead acid battery works

Starter

How To Use The Kick Starter by RebelRouser - Applies to 75 to 77 GL1000's only
Starter Rebuild by ElPiloto - Basic rules and recommendations.
Replace Starter Brushes by jdvorchak - GL1200 and others.
Removal/Overhaul of GL1200 Starter Motor by Try - Much applies to all years.

Lights/Switches/Instruments/Wiring

Rear Brake Light Switch Repair by Peteybug - Don't buy new ... repair the old.
Ignition Switch Cleaning by Peteybug - After this, it'll work like new.
Neutral (The Light, The Switch, And The Diode) by Roncar - The why on that button not working.
Neutral Switch Replacement w/ Engine in Frame by Roncar - It can be done, it certainly can.
Neutral Switch Repair by Roncar - You can make that neutral light behave.
Rebuilding the Neutral Switch by Old Fogey

Main Fuse and Wiring by Whiskerfish - All about dogbones and such.

Opening a Speedometer/Tachometer by Roady - Remove the ring without destroying it.

“cause the factory didn't call us first”

- Frank-n-wing 2008

Engine/Clutch Mods

How-To Mount Harley Mufflers by Roady
Simple Sportster Muffler Mounting by rdurost- Some pipes and clamps off the shelf.
How-To Mount Bonneville Mufflers by dbritt - Nice classic lines.
Convert Cable Clutch to Hydraulic Clutch by Sunnbobb - Upgrade to a more modern system.
Hydro Clutch Conversion by Old Fogey - Relief from clutch-claw, shoehorn a 1200 clutch into a 1000
A really cheap & easy dipstick by Sidecar Bob

Bin that Clutch Damper Plate by Old Fogey - It makes a mess and is unnecessary.

Frame/Suspension Mods

Fitting Taper Roller Head Bearing by Old Fogey - '75 - '77
Mounting 78-79 Comstar Wheels on 75-77 by Whiskerfish & Roncar - Easily done with few modifications
Adding Grease Zerks to the Centerstand by Peteybug - Another maintenance nightmare fixed.
Shock Shortening by Peteybug - Shorten your shocks and lower your bike.

Electrical Mods

Mounting Small Front Blinkers by Roady
Rear Winker Width Reduction by Roady - Trimming down the stock turn signals.
Alternative Fan Thermo Switch by AZCycle73 - How-To install a cheap Geo switch.
LED Compatible Flasher Relay by Zacsdaddy - Converting to 21st century lighting.
Narrowing Rear Signal Light Separation GL1100 Standard by MrFlamewerks - With even more details.
7V Regulator by purplegoldwing - Alternative to OEM
Adding Driving Lights by Sunnbobb
White Stator Connector Fix by JDvorchak - Soldering the three wires near the battery.
Stator Replacement by jake2012 - How to use a $40 GM alternator to replace your stator.

Bodywork Fender Mods

Stock Seat Becomes Custom, GL1100 by Roady - Chopping up the stock seat and recovering.
Build a Custom Sissybar Bracket by Sunnbobb - Techniques for making any bracket.

Carburetor Mods

Off Idle Flat Spot Cure by Octane - Cheap, but tedious.
Dual Weber Linkageby Hmratbam - Not Randakk's way, but a good way to go.

Ignition Mods

DYNA Electronic Ignition: How-To INSTALL by Octane - Step by step.
DYNA Electronic Ignition: How-To TIME/ADJUST by Octane - Tips and tricks to make it easy.
Prestolite Electronic Ignition Instructions by Sandback - Link to the instrux, online.
Dyna S Installation by fx4fssc - Observations and more info, '77 install.

Aftermarket Add-On's

Vetter Accessories by Craig Vetter - Craig Vetter’s web site Lots of tips and down loadable manuals for everything Vetter.
Mounting a Windscreen by Roady - A discussion on the virtues of nekkididity ... and windscreens.

Finishing Touches

Making it Pretty

Making Shiny Parts by Roady - Polishing over the Winter taught me a few things.
Refinishing (not rebuilding) Carbs by FirstYearDeek - Shiny, shiny powder coated carbs. Ya gotta love it!
Powder Coating Demo by FirstYearDeek - You can do this at home (just don't tell her).
Polishing Aluminum by BryanMD - Done the professional way.
Painting for Dummies by RCMatt007 - Doing it like a Pro.
Polishing Aluminum In Eighteen Hundred Steps by Sunnbobb - And he ain't kiddin'.
Removing ClearCoat and Polishing Aluminum by ElPiloto - Link to an article on ThirdGen.org.

Polishing with a Grinder by Paultjack - A clear and concise overview of his efficient method.

Other References

Tips, Tricks & Tools by Octane - Includes contributions by many other members
Stripped Thread Renewal - by Old Fogey
How-To Post Pictures by Roady
Search Tutorial by Roady - How-to find it on NGW.
Crossover Parts List by Big T - Why not save yourself some bucks?
Soldering How-To by Stuka151 - Get it right the first time.
How-To Re-Key Locks by Roncar - Not a burglar's tutorial, just Wing help.
How to Use a Multimeter by Mooseheadm5 - Using that mysterious thing with the numbers and wires.
Homemade Carb Sync Tool by FirstYearDeek & jap4lvr - Simple & accurate, we like that.
Homemade Bead Blaster Box by cjflyer - Cheap but effective.
How to Make Custom Cables by Hott - Too long? Shorten it!

Files

GoldWing Shop Manuals collected by RebelRouser - Handy PDF versions
Large Wiring Diagrams Collected by Sidecar Bob - Be sure to download the LARGE version.
GL1000 Service Bulletins Collected by roncar from 1Crazymofo - PDF files.
79-81 GL1100 Workshop Manual Online by Roady - Download it here.

Shops/Service Providers

Recommended by NGW Members