GL Cruising

I purchased the non-touring GL1800 knowing I would not have the extra capacity for luggage space.

I picked up a few luggage bags since last October. The most used are the “barrel” type. These fit nicely strapped down on the rear luggage rack. In my opinion these look nice and very simple to remove.

The T-Bag shown as the featured image is the model I use most often. It is on the bike 90% of the time. The capacity is large enough for me to carry my Alpaka daily travel bags.

The Saddlemen barrel bag above is my “Uber Eats” go to choice. It is large enough to carry most food orders made for two. I carry a set of bungee cords in case the items are too large.

I really like using the barrel bag setup. I don’t miss using the full tour pack on the Generation 5 Goldwing. The sporty look and feel of the Goldwing Bagger is my preference.

The Honda OEM backrest may look the best but as far as adjustment it lacks the versatility the competing manufacturers sell.

I’m just under 6’ tall and find myself having to sit irregularly to be able to use the backrest and handle bar grip controls.

The Traxxion Dynamics backrest relocation modification raises the backrest about an inch and forward 0.5” – doesn’t seem like a lot but it did make a big difference.

I’m not sure if the manufacturer designs and sells these backrest positioning hardware for other backrest manufacturer models.

I may have to move the backrest back a bit as the riding position was essentially being vertical with no rear lean at all.

EDIT: I’ve put in a few miles now with the backrest block backrest relocation block. Even though the changes are small it is the correct changes to make in height and forward movement.

I should have done this modification as soon as I had purchased the Honda OEM rider backrest. I highly recommend this product from Traxxion.

I went for a ride and noticed my sled leaking oil on the street. This at a steady 1 second drip intervals. Not good especially being 40 miles from home.

When I did the oil change I replaced the oil filter, oil, DCT filter but neglected to replace the DCT filter cover O-ring. This was a big mistake in my part.

I looked at the original O-ring and determined it was in good shape. I didn’t even remove it from the cover.

The problem wasn’t removing the cover it was reinstalling back in place.

When I reinstalled the cover with the new DCT filter the original ring must have gotten damaged during the insertion process.

I ordered the parts from WingStuff. That’s my go to online store. I would say anything you can possibly need for Goldwing maintenance will be available at their online store.

The O-ring I purchased has a different part number than that is listed on the Goldwing official service manual. In fact the part shipped from WingStuff is better than the original in my honest opinion.

The alternate O-ring part is slightly less in diameter size and seems to be thicker in material. These difference allows the part to seat around the DCT cover much better.

I purchased the bike with 4300 miles. I have ridden another 4000 miles and the oil change is due.

I spent a good part of the afternoon installing the Honda OEM center stand. I also replaced both oil filters and oil.

The center stand kit is very basic and the instructions are minimal to say the least.

The center stand installation is not that difficult. The part that was most difficult was the tension spring that retracts the center stand from the down position to maximum height, tucked under below.

The spring used for retracting the center stand is is very stiff making the installation instructions call for a two person job. This precaution is mainly to prevent pulling the bike over to the right side while trying to install the spring.

Every bit helps trying to get the hook over the stub. I had to insert washers and coins in between the spring coils to expand the spring’s tension. This technique was needed in order for me to get the installation completed.

The main reason for me to get this upgrade done was to allow me to do an oil change on the ground. I also knew it would be needed when I replaced the rear tire.

If it wasn’t for the spring this would have been an easy upgrade. If I had a spotter it would it probably would have gone quicker too. I was hesitant pulling hard on the spring and toppling the bike over.