Honda GL1800 owner's manual: Storing Your Honda

Storing Your Honda

If you won’t be riding for an extended period, such as during the winter, thoroughly inspect your motorcycle and correct any problem before storing it. That way, needed repairs won’t be forgotten and it will be easier to get your motorcycle running again.

For more information about storage, refer to the Honda Motorcycle Winter Storage Guide, available from your Honda dealer (USA only).

We suggest you perform the following procedures to keep your motorcycle in top condition. These storage procedures will reduce the deterioration that can occur during storage.

Preparation for Storage

Refer to Safety Precautions on page 106.

This procedure requires a means for draining and disposing of drained fuel (page 173).

1. Change the engine oil and filter (page 126).
2. Make sure the cooling system is filled with a 50/50% antifreeze solution (page 133).
3. Fill the fuel tank. Make sure the fuel fill cap is properly installed.
4. To prevent rusting in the cylinders, perform the following: • Remove the spark plug caps from the spark plugs. Using tape or string, secure the caps to any convenient plastic body part so that they are positioned away from the spark plugs. • Remove the spark plugs from the engine and store them in a safe place. Do not connect the spark plugs to the spark plug caps.

170 Tips

Storing Your Honda

• Pour a tablespoon (15—20 cc) of clean engine oil into each cylinder and cover the spark plug holes with a piece of cloth.
• With the engine stop switch in the RUN position, press the start button several times to crank the engine and distribute the oil.
• Reinstall the spark plugs and spark plug caps.

5. Remove the battery and charge it fully. Store it in an area protected from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. Slow charge the battery (page 161 ) once a month.
6. Wash and dry your motorcycle. Wax all painted surfaces. Apply rust-inhibiting oil to the chrome pieces.
7. Inflate the tires to their recommended pressures (page 153 ).
8. Store your motorcycle in an unheated area, free of dampness, away from sunlight, with a minimum of daily temperature variation.
9. Cover your motorcycle with a porous material. Avoid using plastic or similar non-breathing, coated materials that restrict air flow and allow heat and moisture to accumulate.

Removal from Storage

Refer to Safety Precautions on page 106.

1. Uncover and clean your motorcycle.
2. If your motorcycle has been stored for more than four months — change the engine oil (page 130 ).
3. If your motorcycle has been stored for more than two months — ask your Honda dealer to drain and replace the fuel.
4. Charge the battery (page 161 ) as required. Install the battery.
5. Perform a pre-ride inspection (page 41 ), then test-ride your motorcycle at low speeds.

Tips 171

Transporting Your Motorcycle

If your motorcycle needs to be transported, it should be carried on a motorcycle trailer, or a truck or trailer with a flatbed area. For information about 24-hour emergency assistance, see page 224 (USA only). Do not tow your motorcycle, as towing can seriously damage the transmission.

When contacting a towing or transporting service, be sure to ask if they have a flatbed area, a loading ramp or power ramp to safely lift the motorcycle, and motorcycle tie-down straps.

172 Tips

You & the Environment

Owning and riding a motorcycle can be enjoyable, but you must do your part to protect nature.

Following are tips on how you can be an environmentally-responsible motorcycle owner.

• Choose Sensible Cleaners. Use a biodegradable detergent when you wash your motorcycle. Avoid aerosol spray cleaners that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which damage the atmosphere’s protective ozone layer. Don’t throw cleaning solvents away; see the following guidelines for proper disposal.

• Recycle Wastes. It’s illegal and thoughtless to put used engine oil in the trash, down a drain, or on the ground. Used oil, gasoline, coolant, and cleaning solvents contain poisons that can hurt refuse workers and contaminate our drinking water, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Before changing your oil, make sure you have the proper containers. Put oil and other toxic wastes in separate sealed containers and take them to a recycling center. Call your local or state office of public works or environmental services to find a recycling center in your area, and to get instructions on how to dispose of non-recyclable wastes.

Tips 173

174 Tips

Taking Care of the Unexpected

This section discusses the more common problems that can occur with your motorcycle while you’re riding. It tells you how to evaluate each problem and what actions you can take to try to resume riding. If the problem cannot be safely solved, this section also gives instructions on the proper way to have your motorcycle transported.

For information about transporting your motorcycle, see page 172 .

• General Guidelines ........ 176
• If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start ........ 177
• If You Have a Flat Tire ........ 180
• If Your Engine Overheats ........ 190
• If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Lights ........ 192
• If a Fuse Blows ........ 193
• If You Crash ........ 196
• If You Lose Your Key ........ 197
• If Your Battery is Low (or Dead) ........ 198

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Taking Care of the Unexpected

General Guidelines

Keeping your motorcycle well-maintained is the best way to reduce the possibility of having a problem on the road. However, since problems can arise even with well-maintained machines, you may consider subscribing to an emergency roadside service plan. (USA only: For information about the Honda Rider’s Club of America, see page 224.)

Remember to take along your owner’s manual, the tool kit that came with your motorcycle, and any other items (such as tire repair supplies and additional tools) that might help you solve a problem on your own.

Should you ever have a problem while riding, please follow these guidelines: • Always put personal safety first. • Take time to assess the situation and your options before deciding what to do. • If the problem is relatively minor and you have the tools, supplies, and skills to make a temporary repair, be sure to have permanent repairs made as soon as possible. • Do not continue riding if you are hurt or your motorcycle is not in safe riding condition.

Additional recommendations for specific problems follow.

176 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start

Proper operation and maintenance can prevent starting and engine performance problems. In many cases, the cause of the problem may be a simple operational oversight.

If you have a problem starting the engine — or experience poor engine performance — the following information may help you. If you can’t correct the problem, see your Honda dealer.

If your motorcycle won’t start, listen as you press the start button. If you don’t hear the starter motor turning, refer to the Starter motor doesn’t operate symptom. If you can hear the starter motor working normally, refer to the Starter motor works, but the engine won’t start symptom.

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If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start

178 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start

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If You Have a Flat Tire

A flat tire is always unwelcome, especially if you are far from help. If you think you are losing air, or you hit a pothole or hard object, pull safely to the side of the road so you can inspect the tires and assess the situation. (Be sure to park on a firm, level surface and use the center stand for support.) You should examine the tire treads and sidewalls for foreign objects or damage. If you find a tire that has been punctured or damaged, you have two options.

Option 1: Have Your Motorcycle Transported If a tire has a major puncture or a cut in the tread or sidewall, or the bead has come loose from the rim, there is probably not much you can do except have your motorcycle transported to a Honda dealer or other qualified service facility. (USA only: For information about 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, see page 224.) Even with a simple puncture, this may be the safest and least troublesome solution. For transporting instructions, see page 172 .

Option 2: Make a Temporary Roadside Repair If a tire has only a minor nail puncture and is not completely flat, you may be able to make an emergency repair that could allow you to continue riding to where you can get the tire replaced or permanently repaired.

WARNING Riding your motorcycle with a temporary tire repair can be risky. If the temporary repair fails, you can crash and be seriously injured or killed.

If you must ride with a temporary tire repair, ride slowly and carefully and do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) until the tire is permanently repaired or replaced.

180 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If You Have a Flat Tire

Due to the uncertainty of any temporary repair, you should ride slowly (not over 30 mph, 50 km/h) and carefully (preferably without a passenger or cargo) until the tire is replaced or permanently repaired. Stop frequently and check the air pressure. If the tire is losing pressure, it may be unsafe to continue riding. As the tire gets low, it will affect the handling of your motorcycle (especially with a passenger and cargo) and it may overheat and blow out.

Types of Temporary Repairs

The following types of temporary repairs generally require a source of air to inflate the tire. Possible sources include CO₂ cartridges or cans of compressed air designed to inflate a tire.

• Inflate the tire: Tubeless tires have some self-sealing ability if they are punctured and the result is usually just a slow leak. If this is the case, you can try inflating the tire to see if it will hold air pressure. If you can see a nail or other object embedded in the tire tread, do not remove it at this time.

• Plug the hole: The idea here is to do something to temporarily stop the leak. If you have a tubeless tire repair kit, you can pull out the nail and try inserting an external plug in the puncture. Follow the instructions that came with the repair kit and be sure to inflate the tire to the correct pressure.

Should You Repair or Replace a Tire?

We strongly recommend that you replace, not permanently repair, any tire that is punctured or damaged, even if the tire has only a minor puncture. For a full discussion of repairs and replacement, see page 154.

Taking Care of the Unexpected 181

If You Have a Flat Tire

E mergency Front Wheel Removal/Installation

Refer to Safety Precautions on page 106.

We recommend wheel removal be done only by your Honda dealer or another qualified mechanic. Do not attempt to remove the wheel on your own. Wheel removal requires mechanical skill and professional tools.

Removal

1. Park your motorcycle on a firm, level surface.
2. Raise the front wheel off the ground by placing a support block under the engine, being careful to avoid contact with the exhaust pipe and front lower cover.
3. Remove the parts in sequence, according to the order in the illustration.
   • When removing and installing the wheel, be careful not to damage the sensor and pulser ring. (GL1800A)
   • To avoid damage to the brake hose during removal, support the caliper assembly so that it doesn’t hang from the hose. Do not twist the brake hose. Avoid getting grease, oil, or dirt on the disc or pad surfaces. Any contamination can cause poor brake performance or rapid pad wear after reassembly.
   • Avoid depressing the brake pedal when the wheel is off the motorcycle. This will force the caliper pistons out of the cylinders. The result will be a loss of brake fluid. If this occurs, the brake system will require service. See your Honda dealer for this service.

182 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If You Have a Flat Tire

For related torque specifications, see page 185. Cover both sides of the front wheel with protective tape or an equivalent. The numbers indicate the disassembly sequence.

protective tape

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If You Have a Flat Tire

184 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If You Have a Flat Tire

I nstallation

1. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

• Position the wheel between the fork legs and insert the front axle shaft from the left side, through the left fork leg and wheel hub.
• Align the index line of the axle shaft with the recessed surface of the fork leg.

recessed surface

front axle shaft

index line

• Fit the brake disc carefully between the brake pads to avoid damaging the pads.

2. Install the bolts and tighten to the specified torque: axle bolt: 43 lbf·ft (59 N·m , 6.0 kgf·m) right caliper fixing bolts: 23 lbf·ft (31 N·m , 3.2 kgf·m) left caliper socket bolts: 23 lbf·ft (31 N·m , 3.2 kgf·m)

3. Measure the clearance between the brake disc and the caliper holder on each side with a 0.028 in (0.7 mm) feeler gauge.

   • If the feeler gauge inserts easily, remove it and tighten the axle pinch bolts to the specified torque: 16 lbf·ft (22 N·m , 2.2 kgf·m)
   • If the feeler gauge cannot be inserted easily, loosen the left axle pinch bolt and pull the left fork outward or push inward to adjust the clearance. Then tighten the axle pinch bolts to the specified torque.

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If You Have a Flat Tire

Failure to provide adequate disc-to-caliper holder clearance may damage the brake discs and impair braking efficiency.

feeler gauge

186 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If You Have a Flat Tire

4. After installing the wheel, apply the brake lever AND brake pedal several times, then recheck both discs for caliper holder to disc clearance. Do not operate the motorcycle without adequate clearance.

• Check for free wheel rotation after the brake lever and brake pedal are released. Recheck the wheel if the brake drags or if the wheel does not rotate freely.

• After installing the wheel, operate the brake lever AND brake pedal several times until you feel pressure. You must restore pressure from BOTH the lever AND the pedal because this motorcycle is equipped with a Linked Braking System.

• Verify proper brake operation before riding.

5. Remove the protective tapes from the front wheel.

If a torque wrench was not used for installation, see your Honda dealer as soon as possible to verify proper assembly. Improper assembly may lead to loss of braking capability.

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If You Have a Flat Tire

Emergency Rear Wheel Removal/Installation

Refer to Safety Precautions on page 106.

We recommend wheel removal be done only by your Honda dealer or another qualified mechanic. Do not attempt to remove the wheel on your own. Wheel removal requires mechanical skill and professional tools.

Removal

1. Park your motorcycle on its center stand on a firm, level surface.
2. Remove the parts in sequence, according to the order in the illustration.
   • Avoid getting grease, oil, or dirt on the disc or pad surfaces. Any contamination can cause poor brake performance or rapid pad wear after reassembly.
   • When removing and installing the wheel, be careful not to damage the sensor and pulser ring. (GL1800A)

188 Taking Care of the Unexpected

If You Have a Flat Tire

I nstallation

1. Reassemble the removed parts in the reverse order of removal.
2. Tighten the rear wheel nuts to the specified torque: 80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11.0 kgf·m)
3. After installing the wheel, apply the brake several times and then check if the wheel rotates freely. Recheck the wheel if the brake drags or if the wheel does not rotate freely.
4. Operate the brake pedal and check the brake operation.
5. Inspect the brake system (page 151 ).

If a torque wrench was not used for installation, see your Honda dealer as soon as possible to verify proper assembly. Improper assembly may lead to loss of braking capability.

Taking Care of the Unexpected 189