servicing the air and crankcase filters

[JaysGone]

Is it really needed to check and or replace these filters at 12K on an 1800 that soon??
I was reading the owners manual for things to be replaced at the 12K mark and then plugs at 16K???
Seems pretty soon to have this done as it isnt anywhere near that mark for my other bikes.

I figure as long as its in the shop??

 

[Missouri Charley]

Unless you ride dirt roads plan on changing around 45000 miles.

 

[beenthere]

Sparkplugs should go 80,000 plus miles.IMHOThumbUp

 

[Ozarkryder]

When we got the new '04 GL1800 a year ago this past September I replaced the filters because I or the dealer didn't know when they were last done. Most of the top of the front fairing has to come apart, and it's easy to loose screws and those "rivets" Mother Honda uses. I suggest that you do this job away from children, or they are likely to add to their vocabulary. Took me just over 4 hours the first (and so far only) time, 90% is dealing with the tupperware and I am glad I didn't have to deal with an airbag. I didn't have a manual at that time I found instructions and a video at a Goldwing forum. If I may, here is a link to that page: Bikers Workshop Series

 

[Mgammon]

Go K&N on the filter and Iridium plugs .. The interval changes greatly ... Ran Iridium plugs for over 100K and they looked brand new with I took them out ... K&N is washable, just a PIA to get to.

 

[Gold Rush]

George I change my air filter between 45 and 50K. It will be dirty but the OEM filter is so efficient it will still be doing a good job of letting air through. I change the plugs at the same interval. They will be burned open a bunch so if you want to do a quick clean and re-gap at about 25K it's probably a good idea.

I just finished doing my winter maintenance. New air filter and plugs made absolutely zero difference in performance or gas mileage. Not that I'm unhappy at all with what I have.....

Changing the air filter is a pretty serious job but you are more then up to the task as long as you have the service manual. I know you hold the wrench correctly!! ThumbUp ThumbUp

 

[Shimpy]

I have a friend who has over 100K on his gl1800 with original air filter and plugs and claims to get the exact same mileage as when new. He checks every single tank. I'm not that extreme but will wait until at least 40K on the air filter and maybe the same on the plugs.

 

[JaysGone]

Unless you ride dirt roads plan on changing around 45000 miles.

That seems more of a reasonable number.
Thanks

 

[JaysGone]

Sparkplugs should go 80,000 plus miles.IMHOThumbUp

The book says 16K what are they made of crayons??

Thanks again a much more reasonable number.
Ive gone over 50K on some of my bikes and they still looked good.
At 3 or 4 bux a piece its no big deal. But at 16K??
Nahhhhh
Thanks

 

[JaysGone]

Ozarkryder; When we got the new '04 GL1800 a year ago this past September I replaced the filters because I or the dealer did.........

Again sound advice.
I have no clue who what or where the PO went for 10K+ before me.
But I dont want to deal with taking it all apart..........not yet anyway.
Thanks

 

[JaysGone]

Go K&N on the filter and Iridium plugs .. The interval changes greatly ... Ran Iridium plugs for over 100K and they looked brand new with I took them out ... K&N is washable, just a PIA to get to.

I have a K&N in the Valk, havent looked at it in years, last time the tank was off it was clean as whistle. I just reoiled it a bit.
Plugs I use NGK for the most part or autolite ,,,just a few bux a piece and they are good for at least 30-50K. Which will take me 5,6 years to put on the bike.
I do less then 4-5K a piece a year between 2 bikes and the car.
The tirke Im guesstimating maybe 5K if I use it 90% of the time.

Thanks

 

[JaysGone]

I have a friend who has over 100K on his gl1800 with original air filter and plugs and claims to get the exact same mileage as when new. He checks every single tank. I'm not that extreme but will wait until at least 40K on the air filter and maybe the same on the plugs.

Sounds good to me ..........and about my speed these days.
40K it is for me.
Unless I get curious.
Thanks

 

[riverrat]

mouse beds will warrant an air filter change before mileage will

 

[Ozarkryder]

Ozarkryder; When we got the new '04 GL1800 a year ago this past September I replaced the filters because I or the dealer did.........

Again sound advice.
I have no clue who what or where the PO went for 10K+ before me.
But I dont want to deal with taking it all apart..........not yet anyway.
Thanks

I had the parts for a while before there was a stretch of warm days with nasty wet weather. Couldn't ride, so I changed the filters and did other maintenance. The air filter and plugs weren't pristine, but not worn out/filthy either. Good for piece of mind, knowing it was done. Was told in a different time and place a long time ago,"If you don't wrench on it it's not really yours."
That may not be applicable for everyone, and that's OK, but it works for me.

 

[JaysGone]

If its not 100% needed to follow the service schedual to the letter the way its written in th eowners manual.
Ill pass..
I dont have it in me to take off all the stuff to get at it.
Ive had over the last 2 years my Valks tank off over a dozen times.
You need to be an octopus to get the breather back on on that bike with 6 carbs..
I know the 1800 is alot different but it still seems a few hours work to get at the air filter.
Heck Ive had filters on a car last years and untold miles.
I dont think Ive ever changed a PCV valve on a car.
This engine at least to my near zero knowledge of it so far.
Appears as car like an engine as anything Ive ever seen before on a motorcycle.
The maintanece list seems more like a money maker for a dealer then being realistic.

So Ill just take you guys word for it and not loose any sleep over it.
No mice or rats here to nest.
Check valves at 32K????
Something about that just doesnt seem right.
Ill takes me chances with the air filter for another 10K+ at least.

So thanks for all the advice guys.
I think Ill take your words on this one for gospel..

 

[Gold Rush]

I totally agree regarding the "Money Maker" statement. My '06 now has 102K on it and the valves never have been checked. They may go up in smoke today but I doubt it.... I know my bikes and think I'll sense a pending issue before it happens. Loss of power, stutter, strange noises, bad gas mileage, something will tip me off to impending failure...

 

[JaysGone]

I totally agree regarding the "Money Maker" statement. My '06 now has 102K on it and the valves never have been checked. They may go up in smoke today but I doubt it.... I know my bikes and think I'll sense a pending issue before it happens. Loss of power, stutter, strange noises, bad gas mileage, something will tip me off to impending failure...

What you have said here makes 100% sense to me.
I have a slight uneasy feeling about the air filter.
But from what you all have said here, im not taking all the things off needed to just peak at it yet.
Your a Texan, hows the riding conditions in lets say the Austin area??
My bike came from Dream Machines of Austin. One PO.
Dusty dirty roads?? I believe you know what I mean.
Here in Florida riding bugs and super seniors are the problem, not sucking up sand in a filter.

 

[Gold Rush]

What you have said here makes 100% sense to me.
I have a slight uneasy feeling about the air filter.
But from what you all have said here, im not taking all the things off needed to just peak at it yet.
Your a Texan, hows the riding conditions in lets say the Austin area??
My bike came from Dream Machines of Austin. One PO.
Dusty dirty roads?? I believe you know what I mean.
Here in Florida riding bugs and super seniors are the problem, not sucking up sand in a filter.

The Austin area has a lot cleaner air then we do out here in West Texas so I think you could easily go to 45 or 50K. We don't see near the rain they do so there is lots of blowing sand when the wind blows hard. I try not to enjoy much of that.....

You will have to remove the top shelter so you can remove the input snorkels and peek into the air box. That is SOP for me any time I have the top shelter off any GL1800...

When I replace the filter a couple weeks ago I did the snorkel screen input mod several norther tier members have done. I don't let my trike set long enough for a mouse to set up housekeeping but that doesn't mean one wouldn't visit.... With the screen over the intakes that will never happen....

 

[JaysGone]

The Austin area has a lot cleaner air then we do out here in West Texas so I think you could easily go to 45 or 50K. We don't see near the rain they do so there is lots of blowing sand when the wind blows hard. I try not to enjoy much of that.....

You will have to remove the top shelter so you can remove the input snorkels and peek into the air box. That is SOP for me any time I have the top shelter off any GL1800...

When I replace the filter a couple weeks ago I did the snorkel screen input mod several norther tier members have done. I don't let my trike set long enough for a mouse to set up housekeeping but that doesn't mean one wouldn't visit.... With the screen over the intakes that will never happen....

You have given me all the info I need to feel OK about ignoring this for quite some time to come.

I do apprciate yours and everyone elses advice.
My trikes garaged driven 30 miles a day 4 days a week.
So I can let this dissapear from any 2nd thoughts.
Thanks All.

 

[dalelj]

My new to me 2004 1800 Trike purchased last April had 29,000 on the clock. When I put it it away last fall it had 39,300.

I just changed it out for my peace of mind and it was dirty but as bad as my neighbors at 55,000.

As far as valve adjustment, it will be at dealer in February and for $190.00 it is well worth the money. The last thing I want is to mess up the engine.

Dale

 

[hbrogan57]

In those areas of the country where the weather turns lousy and stays that way it's also a good time to do a little preventive maintenance. Filters, check cables and lines, that sort of thing. Never hurts at all. And it gives you something to do as well.

In the nicer area of the country where you can ride virtually all year there are those storms that roll through that give you a few days of out-of-the-saddle time. Also a decent time to do much the same.

After all, if you don't wrench on it a little on your own it just doesn't seem right.

My new to me 2004 1800 Trike purchased last April had 29,000 on the clock. When I put it it away last fall it had 39,300.

I just changed it out for my peace of mind and it was dirty but as bad as my neighbors at 55,000.

As far as valve adjustment, it will be at dealer in February and for $190.00 it is well worth the money. The last thing I want is to mess up the engine.

Dale

 

[Gold Rush]

In those areas of the country where the weather turns lousy and stays that way it's also a good time to do a little preventive maintenance. Filters, check cables and lines, that sort of thing. Never hurts at all. And it gives you something to do as well.

In the nicer area of the country where you can ride virtually all year there are those storms that roll through that give you a few days of out-of-the-saddle time. Also a decent time to do much the same.

After all, if you don't wrench on it a little on your own it just doesn't seem right.

YUP, wrench time is important. If you do it yourself then you reap that benefit. If you pay someone then you support the economy... Either way we all hopefully know preventative maintenance is important.

I take a couple week every winter even though I could still be riding and do exactly that. This year it was a bit longer because I was recovering from hip replacement surgery but that gave me time to tinker...

I'm with you on the "owning" thing. I love to ride but grew up with a wrench in my hand and enjoy that also... I don't let anyone touch my bikes unless I just can't help it. That hasn't happen in many years....