belly pan aka skid plate for GL1500 and GL1800 engine

[98valk]

so I don't know what is going on with the GL1800s but on a FB page people are installing these, since a few people have hit some type of debris on the road and puncture the crank case.  I think to myself are these people riding in construction zones or what areas are they riding in?
there is one listed for the GL1500 engine.
I have never read that this is a problem or has been for the GL1500 engine.
I've read a few cases of the GL1500 oil filter being damaged and why I keep a spare with me.
anybody else familiar with this?
I know we have some GL1800 owners on the board/s.
any know cases of the GL1500 engine case being damaged by road debris after millions of miles ridden on the GL1500 engine?


https://www.motorcycleid.com/honda-gl1800-gold-wing-skid-plates-accessories/

https://www.motorcycleid.com/2003-honda-gl1500-valkirie-skid-plates-accessories/

[Earl43P]

My 93 GL1500 came with a badly punctured transmission cover and a very low price.

https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=55475
^There are photos in that link to show what happens when the front tire flings debris.

Front fender extensions have been a "thing" for many years. Most talk about the front tire flinging debris that punctures the rear tire.

I could have used a belly pan on the 93 when I rode up over a curb with a bang and momentary sudden-stoppage which caused an unused oil galley "plug" to leak. That happened years after replacing the transmission cover documented in that link.

[Chrisj CMA]

It happens. Not common though engine damage due to road debris. The thing is, one small crack and it’s pretty much a new engine or a new bike. Sometimes a crack/hole can be repaired depending on where but not always.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Be aware that the installation of anything which restricts airflow to the bottom of the crankcase (see all those fins?) may caused elevated engine temps.

As far as construction zones go: If you're going fast enough through them that objects are being thrown into your motor with enough force to damage it, you're going too fast. Slow down.

Any dual-sport/adventure bike I own will have such a plate installed, but the assumption is that they will be taken off-road and used in areas where crankcase damage is not only possible but likely. These can save your arse if you're dozens or hundreds of miles into back country.

Fender extensions are nice, if they don't require drilling the fender. I have these ("Fenda Extenda") on both of my Concours 14s - more to protect the radiators than the crankcases.

[six2go #152]

"Be aware that the installation of anything which restricts airflow to the bottom of the crankcase (see all those fins?) may caused elevated engine temps."

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

[da prez]

  If you build it , someone will buy it .

                                    da prez

[Bagger John - #3785]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

[six2go #152]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

I know that, but reading back through the original post, he was asking about GL1800 owners experiences(at least that's how I interpreted it)

[Bagger John - #3785]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

I know that, but reading back through the original post, he was asking about GL1800 owners experiences(at least that's how I interpreted it)

Gets sorta confusing when 1800-specific stuff ends up over here, don't it? 

[sandy]

I put a SS belly pan on my ‘05 wing. The coolant res hangs slightly below and behind the crankcase. It can get hit by speed bumps and get cracked or broken off. The pan protects that issue from happening.

[98valk]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

I know that, but reading back through the original post, he was asking about GL1800 owners experiences(at least that's how I interpreted it)

was asking for both since the company offers shields for both. The FB page GL1800 owners are adamant about installing one, so was asking the difference btwn the engines and why I've never heard of this concern for GL1500 engines.

does the GL1800 have the same protruding cooling fins on the crank case like the GL1800?  Does the GL1500 fins provide protection from damage than the GL1800 which does or doesn't have them?

[six2go #152]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

I know that, but reading back through the original post, he was asking about GL1800 owners experiences(at least that's how I interpreted it)

was asking for both since the company offers shields for both. The FB page GL1800 owners are adamant about installing one, so was asking the difference btwn the engines and why I've never heard of this concern for GL1500 engines.

does the GL1800 have the same protruding cooling fins on the crank case like the GL1800?  Does the GL1500 fins provide protection from damage than the GL1800 which does or doesn't have them?

'98, I don't know the answer about cooling fins and such. It's been a long time since I put the pan on my F6B. At the time I think most of the concern was about the location of the coolant overflow bottle. As I recall, someone ran over an object that destroyed theirs so everyone(me included)thought a protective pan might be a good idea. Some owners brought up the issue of overheating(on the 1800)but it doesn't seem to be an issue. I had my 1500 Valk for 20 yrs and didn't know there was a belly pan for it. In any case, never had a problem either.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I had my 1500 Valk for 20 yrs and didn't know there was a belly pan for it. In any case, never had a problem either.

Since 2000, I've owned 5 of them and collectively amassed at least 100k mi to date on Valks alone.

The only time there could have been an incident was on a warm November night in 2001, as I was riding my first Interstate back from my place to my mom's. Had been a long day in the saddle (riding with someone who used to hang out on the VRCC) and the night air and the moon conspired to make me wick it up and enjoy the potentially last nice day of the riding season...

...until I hit the 4" diameter tree that had been blown across the road, and was right below a crest. Completely invisible until you were almost on top of it.

Like Gene S. once sang: "Oh my god, no time to turn..."

I should have cracked something if something was prone to be cracked, but sailed through with nary a problem. Every other encounter with road debris to date has been minor, save the occasional self-tapping screw that miraculously taps your rear tire. 

[Avanti]

“self-tapping screw that miraculously taps your rear tire”

The HVAC guys seam to leave those lying around.

[wingrider02]

This is not an issue. I put a belly pan on the F6B seven years ago about 2 months after I got it and the temp gauge has not wavered, even a little.

F6B != GL1500.

Different cooling systems entirely.

I know that, but reading back through the original post, he was asking about GL1800 owners experiences(at least that's how I interpreted it)

was asking for both since the company offers shields for both. The FB page GL1800 owners are adamant about installing one, so was asking the difference btwn the engines and why I've never heard of this concern for GL1500 engines.

does the GL1800 have the same protruding cooling fins on the crank case like the GL1800?  Does the GL1500 fins provide protection from damage than the GL1800 which does or doesn't have them?

I know when I first bought my 1800 Wing, I bought a skid plate much like what you have shown to protect the coolant overflow….wasn’t to worried about the engine itself, but the plastic bottle was in what is argued to be a bad spot for road debris.

[rafalc]

I can see the skid plate beneficial for when riding over extra tall speed bumps, uneven pavement and such.


Another solution for limiting the front wheel fling backs.



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