Stuck in a Muddle

a rut you say, Hmm you don't suppose it wouldn't move because the wheel was just spinning. 

I wondered that but it felt different when i tried to move it at first. lets see if i can get it onto tarmac then see what happens. Ryobi  riding mower v Goldwing coming up =)

After a couple of hrs of moving sticking and towing The Wing is now on hard standing. Yes it was the mud bogging everything down, laughter is allowed and those who had a bet don't forget to pay up =) So shed arrives in the morning, costs more than the Wing but nice big double doors on the end and a bit of room to work (store more junk). Glad its sorted but just as glad, surprised really that i had the stamina and energy to get it done this soon after surgery. Yeah Me!!

So to do list is now, pulling away ratttle, hard standing will help with that. Moving the position of the handlebars. Making the gear change easier. Passing test and riding as often as possible. Fitting new NOCO Lithium battery 600CA. Fit the windshields back on.

Thanks for the advice guys

Steve

Handlebars.

Ok looking through the service manual it tells you how to remove and refit the handlebars and the torque settings. Its says about aligning the dots as well; i assume this is for clearance? It does not say anything about moving the bars away from or towards you. I want to move them towards me to shorten the reach, is it safe to do this? this assumes i will check clearances of course and maintain central position?

Any other comments on raisers etc are more than welcome.

Gearchange

This is a challenge due to restricted ankle range of movement and flexibility. I have of course seen the handlebar solution for $1000 plus.  At the moment i have to twist my foot down and inwards to change gear with my toes. Is there a pedal assembly that would give me more toe room?

Steve

Steve, give me a little time, and I will do my research as to handlebar risers, set backs, etc.....and heel/toe shifters for your bike.

My primary source for aftermarket things is generally www.wingstuff.com, and I get a discount on their website, but I need to do a little more searching.

The shifting issue is relatively simply (IMO) as I think a heel/toe shifter is the answer for your needs. It would mean never having to stick your left foot UNDER the gear shift lever, as you would only have to tap DOWN on the TOE part of the shifter to engage first gear, and then tap down on the Heel part of the same shifter to engage 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th (OD). Those heel/toe shifters are easy to install, and rarely every fail.

Tentative results:  I am finding that the rest of the world (as we know it) thinks your 1995 Honda Goldwing is an antique, or obsolete.

Here is a singular listing for Add-On brand of heel/toe shifter, including the floor boards: This is on E-Bay, which I personally don't buy things from, but....many other hominids do, so they must have some success with E-Bay pirchases.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276216632244?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D259361%26meid%3D5a0f5ae4858843e1b55117c8b0cd5f71%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D312593649438%26itm%3D276216632244%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D4429486%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3CPCAutoWithCassiniQueryEmbRecall%26brand%3DAdd%2BOn%2BInc&_trksid=p4429486.c101875.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A2762166322445a0f5ae4858843e1b55117c8b0cd5f71%7Cenc%3AAQAIAAABcBZJA2%252FMxIXGtm5TKcOlEYwx727mXMn3hPuGHmDlP6oblJ2hj56YoTeF47PU4SC2CN38uzmiD86J4Dp7baprJ%252FUu9Wo8cehqXXDw3SoVbn8M%252Fk1q09UcuZ4xUaO68oBSaM2cvhS4sxk2rqxUyDCLBLBsDAvl37u7EMGai7DHw4NooGaJGKXAnCvRY5mkkqXWa%252BhoZubqepadIoROkoE3gb731HRCUS3ftG47ICeq55iMD%252FbL5Ic97%252FCFaWKWctebAgNT6Z3gzYeaGCKmzSXrkTJvg8dw3YSxujhtOhDDWxVCfw4iqdmntI8Rk4AOyEtPq9zFc%252FTa%252BrWFbC94ThoDmsUY5sny4k2WHq2jvLQdr%252BlNmU3jPQFSKJTJl5b5hREpe63DAFziWJhPh8%252FwDTojoJigELwVox1qhjs3ETX9hPXZGhRfda3XLPxZ7SLjZNLVcKpsVeKDx1kmcFu%252BtkaN9h%252FFBjIsCU%252B%252F7K6zrgIVOta6%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A4429486

The handlebar issue is going to be different. Under all that facade of handlebar wrap, and covers, is a standard, normal set of handlebars, unlike what is on the Goldwing 1800's. You can do a search online, and in the "goldwing forums" to see if anyone has found a set of handlebars that are slightly pulled back, that "might work" for you. I have had great success buying handlebars from Flanders, as they have a bazillion different handlebars, so it's a matter of choosing how much pull back you want.  I used to know a guy, like 50 years ago, that could actually bend your handlebars, still in place on the bike, and pull your existing handlebars into the shape you wanted, all by brute strength. 

Quite frankly, if you cannot find a ready made set of handlebars that fit what you are looking for, it would not be that difficult to remove the handlebars completely off the bike, put them in a Wilton vise, and have them bent to the shape you want. That's what "I" would do, but then again I have a Wilton vise in my shop, and have the knowledge of how to bend handlebars, to achieve the desired shape.

Doing it that way, you are out NO money, just time and labor for doing the bending.

They can be bent, still on the bike, by removing the grips.....then placing a very long clamp attached to each end of the handlebar, then screwing said clamp down to tighten it, and bring the handlebars IN an inch or two..at the most.

OR.....is the fix as simple as.....loosening the center clamp on the handlebars, and lowering the handgrip end of the bars to a comfortable position, then tightening the center clamp, so that the spread of the handlebars is still the same, but by lowering the grip end of the handlebars, you...in effect...bring the grips closer to you ?????

Morning Miles

Yes lots learnt lately hindsight is always easy. Dealing with MrC does not help at times things can get a bit 'foggy" but with luck i should be off chemo for awhile at least, last time it was nearly two years clear.  Anyway onward, no complaints no pain pills needed life is good.

I have ordered footboards after checking Amazon/Walmart where they are $100 more than ebay but ease of returns would make no difference if there is nothing else on the market!

Handlebars i will try the easy method first to shorten the reach. Chuckling here at the vision of a guy just walking up and manually tweaking the handlebars. What was his name  Mr G Rilla =) Yes closer is what i want.

Glad to hear it was just stuck in the mud. Also good news on your recovering, hope that continues for you.

I agree with Miles, the best idea is to just loosen the 2 center clamps just enough to pull back on the bars while sitting on the bike until they feel comfortable then tighten them back down. there are no risers that I have ever been able to find for the 1500. on my wife's 1500 trike, she sits close to the tank and likes the handlebars pushed forward. the bar is splined so it is perfectly safe to move them forward or back as long as you tighten them properly. Hint: do not tighten one side of each bar clamp all the way down then the other side, tighten them evenly as it is not designed to clamp flush 

Its on the list along with heel and toe setup.

Wings new home has arrived BUT there is a 3 1/2 inch lip to get over between the ramp and the shed i am pretty sure that is too big.

I think the driver was in too much of a hurry!! I will look and see what falling down barn wood i have to block up the ramp. I have to let the makers know what i want to do on Monday.

So the ramp to the new Wing house is sorted, the company sent a guy out to do a proper job. Just finished fitting some lights, so seriously bright inside, more playing to do with the wiring yet. Lowboy heel and toe setup has just arrived so fitting that is likely next. Looking and wondering...the forward pegs will they take the weight of someone standing? thinking about moving one to the top of the crash bar to use as a step to mount up, depends if i can swing my leg over? Yes of course you can laugh!!!

Steve, the  OEM  Honda  Goldwing  footings will  handle the  full weight of  someone  standing  on them....even full body weight  on just  one of the  footings. I actually  install  Goldwing  1800 footings on almost  every  motorcycle  I own, from my 2023 Honda SCL500 scrambler,  to my wife's  1986 Honda CMX450 rebel, and everything  in between. 

Shed looks good, love the lighting 

if you are asking about the stock peg as Miles said it can easily handle full weight, however if you asking about the highway peg on the front crash bar, I would not try to put full weight on it. As for mounting, does your backrest fold back, not sure how that one works. if so maybe you could fold/rotate it back enough to allow you to step up and sit on the back part of the seat and then lift your leg across the front rather than swing it over the seat & backrest, then slide down into place and flip the back rest back forward. Just an idea

Laughing here, that is just what i am doing at the moment. So exploring options to see if there is an easier way. That and exercises will i think improve things. Handlebars and heel and toe today, i suspect they will place my feet a bit higher which will make me more comfortable as it will ease hip pressure.

Actually floor boards and heel toe shifter set up lowers your footing about 1/2 to an inch depending on the brand. 

Steve, one thing you could try, if you haven't already, is to fold down your LEFT side passenger floorboard....the OEM floorboard for the passenger on the bike itself. That passenger floorboard is a height adjustable floorboard on your SE bike. That means it can be lowered, or raised, depending on where the passenger likes to have their foot placed, or leg length. Read you owners manual, and there will be a section on HOW to adjust that passenger floorboard.

My thought is, if you can place that LEFT side passenger floorboard to its' lowest position, you could probably use that OEM passenger floorboard as a stepping plate to get onto the back seat, then slide forward into the front seat of the bike.

And, just to "tickle" your Englishman's curiosity, I shall attach a picture of one of my very recent...."side" cars....just for you Steve.

Hay Miles

Yeah that is what i do at the moment. I will check the manual to find the height adjustment. Invisible side car that's a neat trick.

HA you have got yourself a Moggie Minor neat!