cleaning

Discuss everything about Honda GoldWing. Feel free to ask any question related to GoldWing.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
ifm61
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 281
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: canada

cleaning

#1

Post by ifm61 »

cleaning... a necessary evil, but every time i wash my '79 GL1000 its hours after before she'll dry out enough to run correctly again ie all cylinder idle at a stop light. runs a little 'lumpy' in the rain too... do i need new rubber boots around the plug caps as an obvious remedy, or is that at least the best/cheapest place to start?
User avatar
ritalz
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4090
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:22 am
Location: St Louis, MO

Re: cleaning

#2

Post by ritalz »

There is a drain hole just outboard of each plug. These get clogged up with dirt over time and tend to let water pool next to the plug. Run a stiff piece of wire down the hole to clean it and allow the water to drain and you will notice a huge difference in wet conditions. Riding in a downpour will cause the same problem.
Al

2003 Goldwing Daily Rider
1975 Goldwing 'Max'
1984 Goldwing New Bagger Project
1976 Goldwing 'Grocery Getter' Sold
1985 Goldwing Interstate 'NCC-1985' sold
1981 Silverwing Sold
1982 Goldeing Project Sold
1981 Goldwing Parted Out
1983 Goldwing Project Sold
1973 CB500F Long Gone
1966 CL77 First Street Bike
http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.p ... ans/ritalz
User avatar
Motowalt
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1334
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:48 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country, USA

Re: cleaning

#3

Post by Motowalt »

+1 on what Al said
And new plug caps will definitely help.
Finally, avoid using a power washer to clean the bike as it can force high pressure water past seals and into electrical connections and bearings...
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: cleaning

#4

Post by robin1731 »

What these guys already said. And start at the plug boots and follow the wires all the way to the coils. Also check the coils themselves. Any small crack can cause issues when wet.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: cleaning

#5

Post by chewy999 »

Never use a pressure washer as it can create all sorts of problems despite cleaning a bike quickly.

Here is a link to Wingovations tech tips.

http://www.wingovations.com/pressure-wa ... 4579471113

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
Sagebrush
Run Executive
Run Executive
Posts: 6465
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:35 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/album269/
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: cleaning

#6

Post by Sagebrush »

I had an 1100 that exhibited similar symptoms. My plug drain holes were clear though. I corrected the problem with new plug wires, coils and plug boots. My gas mileage increased after I did this. If your plug wires are so stiff with age they won't bend without cracking (like mine were) Its probably time to replace.
Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

My Gallery
My 1100 Build Thread
User avatar
RB
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4268
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:26 am
Location: AZ

Re: cleaning

#7

Post by RB »

If cleaning out the drain howls doesn't help..find a dark garage get the bike running, take the air box off and start spraying water with a spray bottle on the coils and wires look for arcing and you might have found your issues.
98 1500 SE..
99 1500 SE SOLD
97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
78 REBUILT SOLD
77 REBUILT SOLD
76 SOLD/PARTIAL REBUILD
76 REBUILT AND SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILD SOLD


FAIR WINDS,
RB
ifm61
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 281
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: canada

Re: cleaning

#8

Post by ifm61 »

i never knew about the drain holes, darnit... i'll start there then. cheers lads !
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: cleaning

#9

Post by desertrefugee »

Don't overlook the gasket around the points/ignition box. I've had issues in the past (CB750, T120V) in that area. Moisture + points = bad mojo.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
Dirty Dave
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 714
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:27 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada

Re: cleaning

#10

Post by Dirty Dave »

The wife and I got caught in a downpour in 99 for 2 solid hours. Was like riding in your shower! No fairing. I was too stupid and angry to stop. We had to buy all new clothes when we got to the Americade. The 78 Wing ran perfectly the whole way, like it was a sunny day. I was impressed.
1978/9 GL1000
1997 Honda Valkyrie
2018 Kawasaki Z900 RS
User avatar
Graham Cracker
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1133
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:24 pm
Location: Bradford, PA

Re: cleaning

#11

Post by Graham Cracker »

desertrefugee wrote:Don't overlook the gasket around the points/ignition box. I've had issues in the past (CB750, T120V) in that area. Moisture + points = bad mojo.
I agree...you could also spray a little WD 40 on ignition to clear up moisture...it worked for me...
Mark

1975 GL 1000 Candy Antares Red
1976 GL 1000 Sulfur Yellow
1977 GL 1000 Pearl White
1978 GL 1000 Candy Limited Maroon
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”