Warning: long and rambling post.
Earlier this year I was fortunately enough to find a well cared for 2002 GL1800A with only 8,000 miles. (The A refers to ABS, available as an option on the early GL1800s.)
I’m the third owner. The bike started life in Chicago, where the original owner put about 4,000 miles on her. The second owner bought her in 2013 when he retired and moved to Arizona. He also put about 4,000 miles on the bike. He replaced the tires and did the scheduled oil changes, but the bike spent most of it’s life in a garage under a cover. A couple of months before he sold it, he had a local shop put in a new battery, change the oil/filter and rear drive oil, and flush the brakes and clutch.
After the ride from Tucson to Tuttle, the first priority was to give the bike a thorough inspection and address any needed maintenance. For it’s age, the bike was in excellent condition, with only a few items needing attention.
Brakes: When I picked it up, the rear brakes would not stay pumped up. Not critical for the ride home, but a priority to address. I flushed the front and back brakes (and the clutch too, for good measure) and they now work perfectly. Evidently, the local shop mechanic wasn’t familiar with the Goldwing’s linked brakes system. I suspect he tried to bleed the rear activated front brake lines while pumping the front brake lever. Another example of why it’s better if you can do your own maintenance.
Air Filter: After 23 years, it was probably time to change the air filter. A few mementos from Chicago were hiding in there.
Repair Trim: While getting to the air filter, I noticed that one of the tabs that holds on the left faring trim strip was broken. I fashioned a reinforcement from a picture hanger and a generous application of JB Weld. Not pretty, but can’t see it with the trim installed and stronger than the original. And certainly cheaper than ordering a replacement strip and getting a paint shop to color match it.
Handlebar Switches: The switches in the right handlebar cluster were gummed up, with the cruise and reverse buttons sticking and the cruise accelerate not working at all. A common problem. Took it apart and cleaned out the old dried up grease and contacts, put in fresh grease, and after a 10 minute small spring hunt, put it back together. They now work perfectly.
Coolant: The coolant was factory original and due for a change. Put in some fresh Honda HP.
Grommets: Most of the grommets that hold on the body panels were dried out (a few were missing), so I bought a few sets and replaced them all.
Service Bulletins: This bike has three of which I am aware. No evidence of frame cracks, leaking brake PCV, or dragging rear brakes.
All in all, the bike is in wonderful condition for a 2002. In a follow-on post, I’ll talk about the mods and setup.