Warning! Warning! Rant!

[DarkSideR]

I recently helped a friend fix the rear brakes on his 1999 Goldwing. The master cylinder was clogged and resulted in not only no rear brakes but because of the "linked" system the front left brake was also not working. Through this I learned that front brake lever only operates the right front brake.  What was Honda thinking!?

To simply (yeah right) get to the rear brake master cylinder you only have to take off the right side body panels of which there are 4, the front body panels of which there are 2, 2 heat shields, the right side exhaust, and the catalytic converter. What was Honda thinking!?

We then cleaned and rebuilt the master cylinder, reinstalled and started simply (yeah right) bleeding the brakes. I used my Mighty Vac to find that a continuous stream of air bubbles flowed from the nipple (sigh). I then learned there is a delay valve that will introduce air into the system left sitting for an extended time, or when a vacuum is pulled. What was Honda thinking!?

And so began the very tedious method of opening the nipple, pump-hold, close the nipple, and repeat 4,132 times.

We then reassembled the catalytic converter, 2 heat shields, right side exhaust, 2 front body panels, and the 4 right side body panels.

All this took 7 hours! I cannot image what a repair shop would have charged.

I told my buddy two things after we had his bike all buttoned up and tested.
 - "I will if I have to, but I don't ever want to work on your bike again."
 - "I'm glad I own a Valkyrie."

[Valkorado]

Well, since you've mastered Valkyries maybe you can ride over and figure out why my Silver Bullet won't start.  I'm stumped.

BBQ on me.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Preston ( Reb ) and Rick ( Flask ) just helped me do a air filter change on my 1800 Wing what  a b!tch . What was Honda thinking

[f6gal]

front brake lever only operates the right front brake.  What was Honda thinking!?

That's crazy!!  Indeed, what were they thinking??

and repeat 4,132 times.

You should have done it 4133 times... just to be sure!  

[f6john]

They tell me it gets easier after a dozen or so times. I’m thinking Honda did a better job on the Valkyries and the Wings than I would have done. Now if the riding was like being on a paint shaker between servicing, I’d have to reconsider my choices.

[old2soon]

     I was working on a friends G W trike with the 1500 engine and ran into that same situation. My friend and I could NOT figure it out so called my Brother Ross-AKA da prez-and when he splained that split system we had her bled and operating quicker than we thought possible. Y'all Ever figure out what Honda were thinkin let us know please!  RIDE SAFE.

[Kep]

Preston ( Reb ) and Rick ( Flask ) just helped me do a air filter change on my 1800 Wing what  a b!tch . What was Honda thinking

Try changing a water pump on one. Did so one summer on the Yellow 01 wing I had....fun-fun-fun ! At the time , I didn't know the process for changing the air filter. Had everything out that you strip to do the air filter (and then some) The following winter I decided to change said  air filter....was a bit put off when I discovered I already had all that stuff off and could have replaced said air filter during the water pump change...almost learned how to cuss again.Oh Well., at least now I am a very learned Wing mechanic.

[DIGGER]

I know what Honda was thinking......

If we make it hard enough to change the air filter the customer will have to bring it to us for a BIG repair bill to change it out

[old2soon]

I know what Honda was thinking......

If we make it hard enough to change the air filter the customer will have to bring it to us for a BIG repair bill to change it out

       My H/D ridin friends have some pure horror stories bout some bills after having work done at a deaklership. Course I KNOW Not just H/D horror stories Ford G M Chrysler and Many others All be EXPENSIVE fer dealership work!  RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

I did the air filter swap on my 18 wing this winter.  I bought the maintenance videos offered by "Fred" and for sale on the 1800 web site.

Glad I did, as he shows the many tricks and traps when working on gens 5 & 6.

After doing it once, it's not hard, just time consuming and a little tedious, but you get a great knowledge of the bike.

What was Honda thinking?  Who knows?

I will say, removing either wheel, especially the rear, is a breeze, compared to any bike I've ever owned.

And on a wing, ya chew through more tires than air filters.

[3W-lonerider]

I recently helped a friend fix the rear brakes on his 1999 Goldwing. The master cylinder was clogged and resulted in not only no rear brakes but because of the "linked" system the front left brake was also not working. Through this I learned that front brake lever only operates the right front brake.  What was Honda thinking!?

To simply (yeah right) get to the rear brake master cylinder you only have to take off the right side body panels of which there are 4, the front body panels of which there are 2, 2 heat shields, the right side exhaust, and the catalytic converter. What was Honda thinking!?

We then cleaned and rebuilt the master cylinder, reinstalled and started simply (yeah right) bleeding the brakes. I used my Mighty Vac to find that a continuous stream of air bubbles flowed from the nipple (sigh). I then learned there is a delay valve that will introduce air into the system left sitting for an extended time, or when a vacuum is pulled. What was Honda thinking!?

And so began the very tedious method of opening the nipple, pump-hold, close the nipple, and repeat 4,132 times.

We then reassembled the catalytic converter, 2 heat shields, right side exhaust, 2 front body panels, and the 4 right side body panels.

All this took 7 hours! I cannot image what a repair shop would have charged.

I told my buddy two things after we had his bike all buttoned up and tested.
 - "I will if I have to, but I don't ever want to work on your bike again."
 - "I'm glad I own a Valkyrie."

an easier way of doing the brakes if the vacuum method won't work is. get a plastic or glass jar
put enough fluid in the jar so that the hose goes down into the fluid
drill a hole in the cap just big enough to slide a rubber hose down threw, place the other end on the bleed nipple and open it
with the hose in the fluid it cannot suck air back into the system. you just pump the brakes and keep the reservoir full.
when the bubbles stop in the jar there is no more air in the system.
tighten bleeder and remove hose. move unto the next bleeder.

[Hook#3287]

I recently helped a friend fix the rear brakes on his 1999 Goldwing. The master cylinder was clogged and resulted in not only no rear brakes but because of the "linked" system the front left brake was also not working. Through this I learned that front brake lever only operates the right front brake.  What was Honda thinking!?

To simply (yeah right) get to the rear brake master cylinder you only have to take off the right side body panels of which there are 4, the front body panels of which there are 2, 2 heat shields, the right side exhaust, and the catalytic converter. What was Honda thinking!?

We then cleaned and rebuilt the master cylinder, reinstalled and started simply (yeah right) bleeding the brakes. I used my Mighty Vac to find that a continuous stream of air bubbles flowed from the nipple (sigh). I then learned there is a delay valve that will introduce air into the system left sitting for an extended time, or when a vacuum is pulled. What was Honda thinking!?

And so began the very tedious method of opening the nipple, pump-hold, close the nipple, and repeat 4,132 times.

We then reassembled the catalytic converter, 2 heat shields, right side exhaust, 2 front body panels, and the 4 right side body panels.

All this took 7 hours! I cannot image what a repair shop would have charged.

I told my buddy two things after we had his bike all buttoned up and tested.
 - "I will if I have to, but I don't ever want to work on your bike again."
 - "I'm glad I own a Valkyrie."

an easier way of doing the brakes if the vacuum method won't work is. get a plastic or glass jar
put enough fluid in the jar so that the hose goes down into the fluid
drill a hole in the cap just big enough to slide a rubber hose down threw, place the other end on the bleed nipple and open it
with the hose in the fluid it cannot suck air back into the system. you just pump the brakes and keep the reservoir full.
when the bubbles stop in the jar there is no more air in the system.
tighten bleeder and remove hose. move unto the next bleeder.

great tip

[ridingron]

...  Through this I learned that front brake lever only operates the right front brake.  What was Honda thinking!?

I think there were several models (Honda and other brands) that did this. I think it was for the old school bikers that were scared of the front brake. They thought they would go over the handle bars if they touched the front brake.

[Fazer]

I had a mouse nest in my GW air filter. Surpsied it ran as well as it did. Guess it say a lot for the ECU.

Took about three hours with you tube help. Next time I will cut that in half. Same for changing rear tire.