Removing carbs on a 1988 GL 1500 GoldWing (part 1 of 2)

[@Habeebea]

This has been invaluable showing the process. I am the (un)lucky owner of a 1989 GL1500 that is currently reviewing how to remove the side fairings to check hoses/ radiator for a slow leak of antifreeze.

[@davidcahillegan6366]

Hi Gordon thank you for the step by step videos...your method is very close to my own..yours is better...thank you so much for giving your thoughts and ideas on every aspect of the removal and replacement of every single part...your a legend...

[@sierravortec2629]

I originally subscribed because of the engine rebuild you did, but I really enjoy the random DIY videos you do.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

Thanks for subbing. I didn't know when I started videos what if anything would be popular or helpful to viewers. The big truck videos do get more views but then so do the small engine videos. I never know what will get popular so I just put up everything I have time to record, I'm always fixing something around here.

[@adam8347]

I bought a new GL1000 with Windjammer fairing for $3,600 in 1976. Gas needs to be treated with a fuel stabilizer and use no gas older than 30 days old per my John Deere manual to my Z960M mower which has a 31 H.P. Kawasaki 2 cyl. engine. Thanks for the video Gordon.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

Your dating yourself Otis, in '76 I was like 18 and no possible way to come up with $3600

[@rickray5884]

That a Boy Gordon you have it going your way. HAPPY NEW YEARS

[@timbarnett3898]

I have a dead spot in beginning of throttle twist! Then when I twist pass dead spot, I'm getting too much RPMs then I want for clutch control! Is this the dead spot your dealing with here? My vacuum gauges seem too be in someone else's shop too, so I'm replacing them as well! Thanks for this information!!

[@excavatoree]

This one's a bit newer than the ones I was looking at when Dad would buy parts for his CB350, around 1981 or so. This was before the internet and online ordering, so you had to go to the dealer to get parts. Dad would talk to the parts guy, and I'd look at all the new motorcycles, all in a row, from a small commuter bike up to the Gold Wings at the "upper end." I thought that was the neatest thing, about 20 bikes, all in order.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

We have a number of motorcycle dealers here in the St. Louis area of coarse it is a major city, one of the biggest Honda dealers in the country is in Litchfield Illinois about 40 miles north of me and they have easily 500 if not 1000 bikes in their I think 3 buildings if I remember. They are the most recognized GoldWing dealer in this part of the country, I know of one more that's huge in Corinth, Ms. not too far from Memphis, Tn I forgot the name of that one.

[@excavatoree]

@@GordonRobertsonDIY That's a BIG difference between the small town dealer we went to. That 20 or fewer motorcycles was their entire inventory.

[@stanpatterson5033]

My first bike was a 1979 CM400T, and no, I didn't buy it new. Bought it used in '84 for a steal of a deal from a neighbor who had just moved across town into his own custom hand-built home. The bike wasn't perfect, but it wasn't totally clapped-out. My dealer of choice was so far out of town in the boonies, that he didn't have ANY motorcycles on his floor. Well, to be precise, he didn't have any brand-new bikes. He did have a few used machines. Sadly, he was elderly, and didn't have any kids who wanted to sustain the business, so after a few more years, he began to wind down his operation. Good old Lorne Beach. If he's still above ground, I hope he's well. If not, well I'll always remember him. Sure was a nice fellow. He would gladly order in any Honda product that you wanted, but I guess at the point he was at in his career and life, he didn't see much sense in keeping big stock around. I was close enough to the big city that I could go into a multitude of Honda or other dealers, even a few used parts places who dealt in any makes, in any condition. Used bikes, rebuilds, or just the parts.

[@viel.anthony]

12:00 that part will be much easier to pop off if you push it in the middle, at the top of the panel. Now, back to watching... not looking forward to finding this coolant leak!

[@dave1135]

Always wanted one of this year, I had a gl1000 back when they were still considered a sport bike, mine had the vetter fairing and windjammer travel trunks to make it a full dress.i would hate to see what the shop labor rate at Honda would be to do this job, 3/4 of the job is removing the plastic. And another thing, it's a good idea to treat this with kid gloves, like you said, it's 30+ year old plastic, and it's winter and cold, makes brittle plastic even MORE brittle. By the way, beautiful bike

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

My shop does have heat so not to worry about that. That Gl 1000 would be much easier to clean the carbs on, I've done 1100's and 1200's before and each size up is more challenging. My first GoldWing was an '84 1200 Aspencade and I cleaned the carbs several times on it since I was driving over the road and not having time to ride when at home the gas kept going bad. Now I'm local and can ride more often.

[@williamzoom]

You have to add load resistors for turn signal leds to make them function. My advice for anything with a carb is to add a cap full of Marvel Mystery oil to every tank of fuel. It helps with keeping the tank and carbs from corroding because of the ethanol. I have been doing it for years and my carbs do not have issues! Do you have mercury sticks or a gauges to sync & balance the carbs? If not I can give you a link to a home made setup and it will only set you back a couple bucks to build.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

I didn’t mess with any of the adjustments on the carbs but they will not be out of sync, it is running pretty good now Even in cold weather it starts and idles without the choke but dies if I try to gas it without the choke, I started it in the garage this morning before I turned on the heat, I'm sure it will run fine after it warms for a minute or two. You will see when I upload the cleaning vid.

[@williamzoom]

I never put carbs back on without syncing & balancing them it's the difference in having a good running bike and a great running bike. Did you look into getting your account verified?

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

I haven't done that that I know of. It was so complicated setting up the pay end of the account, it really was a confusing mess with little direction. I don't know if I verified it in that process or not, I haven't done anything since. I don't know how to sync these carbs with the vacuum gauges without a stripped down spare engine not installed in the bike, you'll see in the next 2 videos. I'm sure it must be possible with special tools, but 2 carbs on 6 cylinders is 2/3 less likely or 1/3 the chance if having a noticeable difference. My experience has been if I don't disturb any of the external adjustments and only clean the jets and passages, it will hold to the syncing that it had before I started which is good as long as someone else didn't mess with it before me.

[@reubenmanigault1392]

Hi Gordon I have a 1990 1500 Goldwing I was thinking about getting it painted some say it can be rubbed out but either way would u be up for the job can u shut me a message & let me know I also live in Illinois.

[@TheDisorderly1]

I have an 83 honda magna and I dread removing its 4 carbs. Looks like the goldwing is even more work to get the carbs removed.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

I had to clean carbs on a Honda v4 a long time ago, I can't remember the model at the moment but I do remember a subframe pipe that had antifreeze running through it and 2 gas tanks. The carbs were a challenge to get out.

[@TheDisorderly1]

@@GordonRobertsonDIY The Magna is setup that way. The Sabre may be the same, I'm not sure as I've never seen one in person.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

I believe it was the Magna, maybe a v45 or something like that. Tank rusted inside and had to throw in a hand full of nuts and bolts and shake and blow in air to clear the dust and repeat about 20 times and then pour it a treatment and then a liquid tank liner and after that cured, back together.

[@MichelServiere]

Great ! thanks for the video !

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

Thanks for watching.

[@ianthecline2855]

❤

[@PhilVerryChannel]

Did you get attacked by a wild bear that ripped your jacket and pulled your sleeves apart? Good thing you had the bike to get away from that bear!

[@jaimearmendariz4475]

Nesecitas driving seguido Gordon

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

hace frio Jaime, no puedo ahora.

[@stanpatterson5033]

Vamos, Gordon. Imagina que estás montando una moto de nieve (con ruedas) y luego te vistes apropiadamente :)

[@ericcorse]

Jeez and I thought cars were a pain.

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

I'm sure even lawnmowers are going to be like this before long.

[@jaimearmendariz4475]

Fix the whit gorrilla glue

[@GordonRobertsonDIY]

Piensas?

[@3406Accert]

Astoundingly annoying when I hear Someone especially someone of your Pre 60 age Say Drive a Motorcycle that sounds so simply disturbing. A individual Rides a 2 wheeled vehicle namely a Motorbike not drive it.