So, I finally dived in and got myself a ’95 Honda Goldwing. Yeah, one of those big beasts. Been wanting to get my hands on one for a good while, always fancied the idea of that smooth ride. Found this one, seemed like a fair deal, but let me tell you, it wasn’t exactly fresh off the showroom floor. The fella I bought it from, bless his heart, probably hadn’t touched it in years.
First Impressions and the “To-Do” List
First thing I noticed, she was covered in a thick layer of dust. Like, archaeology dig level of dust. And when I popped the seat, oh boy. Looked like a family of mice had set up a holiday home in there at some point. So, step one was a major clean-up operation. Pulled off what panels I could easily remove and just vacuumed and wiped everything down. It’s amazing how much grime can accumulate over the years.
Then I started looking a bit closer. The battery was deader than a doornail, obviously. Tires looked okay, surprisingly, but they were old, so they went on the list for replacement. The real fun, I figured, would be the engine and the carbs. These Goldwings, they’re famous for their complex carburetors, and if they sit, well, you know what happens.
Tackling the Beast
So, I got a new battery hooked up. Turned the key, and… nothing. Not a click, not a whimper. Okay, typical. Started tracing wires. Found a couple of corroded connections near the starter solenoid. Cleaned those up with a wire brush and some contact cleaner. Tried again. This time, a click! Progress!
Next up, the fuel system. I knew that old gas had to come out. Drained the tank – it smelled awful, like old paint thinner. The fuel filter looked like it had seen better days, probably the original one. Replaced that. Then, the moment I was dreading: the carburetors. Getting them off a Goldwing is a job, let me tell you. Lots of hoses, lots of tight spaces. It’s like they built the bike around them.
- Pulled off the seat and the shelter (that big plastic bit covering the engine).
- Disconnected the fuel lines and a bunch of vacuum hoses.
- Loosened the clamps holding the carbs to the intake manifolds.
- Wrestled the whole carb assembly out. Took a lot of wiggling and a few choice words.
Once they were out, I tore them down completely on the workbench. Just as I suspected, the jets were clogged solid with old fuel varnish. Spent a good few hours meticulously cleaning every single tiny passage with carb cleaner and compressed air. Soaked the metal parts, scrubbed ’em, made sure everything was spotless. It’s tedious work, but you gotta do it right.
While the carbs were off, I also decided to check the spark plugs. They were pretty fouled, so I popped in a new set. Seemed like a good idea while I had access. Putting those carbs back on was just as much fun as taking them off, if not more. Lots of pushing and careful alignment. Finally got them seated and all the hoses reconnected.
The Moment of Truth
With fresh gas in the tank, a clean fuel filter, new plugs, and (hopefully) clean carbs, it was time to see if she’d wake up. I hit the starter button. It cranked… and cranked… and then, a sputter! Then another! And then, vroooom! She fired up! Man, that was a good sound. Smoked a bit at first, probably burning off some of the cleaner and old gunk, but she settled into a relatively smooth idle.
Didn’t run perfectly, mind you. Still a bit lumpy. Figured the carbs would need synchronizing, which is another fun job on these. But she was alive! I let her warm up, blipped the throttle a few times. The engine sounded pretty healthy, no scary noises.
Still More to Do
So that’s where I’m at. She runs, which is a huge step. Next, I’ve got to synchronize those carburetors. I’ve ordered a set of vacuum gauges for that. Then it’s onto the brakes – they feel a bit soft, so probably need a good bleed and maybe new pads. And those old tires definitely need to be replaced before I even think about taking her for a proper spin.
It’s been a process, for sure. Lots of skinned knuckles and moments of “why did I buy this thing?” but seeing it come back to life bit by bit is pretty rewarding. It’s a classic machine, and it deserves to be back on the road. Still a ways to go, but we’re getting there, one wrench turn at a time.
