BUYING: HONDA GOLD WING
There is no better escape device than the big Honda.
PROBLEM PIPES
Rear preload is adjusted electronically. Prod the switch to increase preload to its max with the ignition on but the engine off, and listen for the motor whizzing by the right-side pannier. If the sound from the motor alters as the preload increases then it’s likely that the hoses need renewing – dealers recommend replacing the entire system which’ll cost over a grand. Instead, just swap the rubber motor hose with a braided steel one for about £100, plus labour.
ALTERNATOR AILMENTS
Infrequent use can result in moisture getting into the alternator which causes corroded windings which will lead to wiring bother. Ask how often the bike is used and make sure it lives in dry, well-ventilated storage. Alternator cush drives can also fail on early 1800s, and it’s engine-out to remedy. While the bike is ticking over listen out for a whine from the back of the engine, which can indicate that the drive gear is on its way out. 2006-on Gold Wings were improved with a more reliable hydraulic system.
SLOPPY OLD THING
Worn or loose steering head bearings will give the Wing a vague front end and wayward handling. Put the bike on its centrestand and slowly turn the steering from lock to lock while feeling for notchiness or slop. Honda moved from the GL1500’S tapered bearings to cheaper ball bearings for the 1800 and some owners grumble that this is the reason for a loose front-end feel, but it’s usually because they’ve been neglected or are incorrectly adjusted.
STICKY WIDGET
There’s an anti-dive valve for the front suspension, found on the left fork leg. And it’s a bugger for seizing up. With the bike off its stand, hold the front brake on and enthusiastically bounce the front end up and down as hard as you can, and keep going until the anti-dive wakes up and the forks lock. When you let go of the brake pressure the suspension should release and easily compress once again. If it doesn’t the valve is binding and so will need the attention of a sensible adult.
RUBBER DUCK
Up until 2010 the Gold Wing was made in Marysville, Ohio, USA. Production then stopped for 12 months when Honda moved the tooling to Japan, where 1800s from 2012-on have been built. They love the Wing in the USA, and pre-2012 bikes made for America were a higher specification than European bikes; Japanesebuilt bikes were much closer but US bikes still have the edge, allowing fitment of a plug-and-play Hondaline CB radio. And every Wing needs a CB and long whippy aerials.
ELECTRICAL WOES
The main issue with any Wing is that a previous owner was a hamfisted electrician. The 1800 has an auxiliary power supply under the left fairing pocket, so you need to pull out the liner to inspect the state of the wiring. Many gadget obsessed keepers try to self-fit electrical accessories and toys, so it’ll probably be a tangle of wires, cheap connectors and insulation tape that’ll overload the battery. Avoid any bike with evidence of amateur wiring.
HARD MIDDLE, SOFT OUTER
Wings are robustly made and their build quality is impressively high – it’s a flagship model, after all. But check the bodywork for splits and scuffs. The plastics are vulnerable in low-speed spills and over enthusiastic owners can snap fairing lugs and brackets when removing parts. The bodywork is fixed with assorted 5mm and 6mm Allen bolts, which all look similar but have different shoulder angles for different locations on the bike. Cheerily using the wrong bolt will cause the bodywork to fracture, and Gold Wing cosmetics are eye-wateringly pricey.
‘Us-made bikes allow Hondaline CB radio... and every Wing needs a CB and long whippy aerials’
BRAKE RECALL
Honda issued a recall for all Gold Wings built between 2001 and 2010. There was a potential fault with the secondary master cylinder that could cause the rear brake to drag. Very few bikes were affected and dealers should have recalled and tested each one, but it’s worth using the bike’s VIN to double-check if a) it was affected, and b) that a nice Honda technician sorted it out.