Centerstand Failure? (Not the only failure!)

[mcgovern61]

Last September, my centerstand failed. :rant:

I was trying to get the bike off by rocking and for some reason it would not come off? Next thing I know, the center stand goes forward and the bike rocks backward and down to the left!! The cross tube ripped and failed. By hook and crook, I was able to get the bike back up and put the stand up. Now it is a winter project to repair. :crying:

Today.......as I parked the bike, I noticed it seemed to be leaning a bit far on the side stand. Sure enough.....the weld across the top has cracked the entire length!! :rant:

Emergency run to a friends house and weld the crack up! :heat:

This is not a good sign. Before I got the bike as a donor, it sat out in the weather for 12 years rotting away. Well, there must have been water in the frame and it must be rusting from the inside out. I'm thinking that I might just pull the engine and strip the bike this winter and completely go over the frame. I don't want to find myself with a split frame at the swing arm while riding!

 

[dan filipi]

That's a very good idea and what I'd be doing.

 

[joedrum]

sheesh this sucks

 

[brianinpa]

That's how you are getting better gas mileage! You have less weight than I do!

 

[pidjones]

I'd suggest stripping the frame and moving everything over to a solid one. The removable section on my project was so rusted that I was surprised the side stand could hold it. Luckily, it appears to have come with the half-submerged '75 motor, not the '78 frame. Goldwing engines are heavy, and need solid frame support.

Sent from my LePanII using Tapatalk 2

 

[mcgovern61]

brianinpa » Sat Nov 09, 2013 6:45 pm[/url]":2f2hi5vd]
That's how you are getting better gas mileage! You have less weight than I do!

:smilie_happy: :wave:

Yeah,......thats the........ticket! Less weight!

 

[mcgovern61]

pidjones » Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:09 pm[/url]":1indx1iv]
I'd suggest stripping the frame and moving everything over to a solid one.

When I originally restored the bike, I had purchased a wrecked '81 for parts and had taken the removable engine frame from the '81 becuase it was in much better shape than the rusted out '82 removable frame. I should have thought about the fact that there could have been other damage.

To be fair, I did check the frame for rust before I cleaned it and repainted it. The issue then did not occur to me that the frame could be rotting from the inside out. There were no loose paint spots or bubbles like you would expect with internal rust damage.

 

[mcgovern61]

Just an FYI....this is where this frame was in the beginning:

Can you say....been there....done that?

 

[Steve83]

This may be a warning to us all! How best to check for internal rust? Maybe a hammer and drift, tapping around the centerstand mount - a weakened area would dent very easily, or at least make a different sound. Or drill a small hole and see what comes out...

 

[pidjones]

I'm not pleased with Honda's treatment of the frames. They leave various openings for water to enter (example: the spot-welded caps on the removable frame section), then tiny drain holes that are not necessarily in the low spots, and those holes rapidly plug. The frame tubes should have been sealed off. Designed to die I guess, but then why build the engines so sturdy? The GL1000 was built near the peek of Japanese quality period. The frames (when I stripped the paint, some of the weld were shameful) just don't measure up to my expectations of that period. Of course, if the bike is never ridden or parked in the rain or damp.... it wouldn't be a GoldWing, would it?

 

[joedrum]

yes ...sometimes I think Honda actually screwed up when the lower end motor came out so good ... it seems obvious today Honda hates these bikes and wants them all in the junk yard ...it so clear they ... I don't even like going to a Honda dealer ... its like the salesmen cant wait for you to leave there property with your oldwing sheesh ...its more friendly at a Harley shop ....

im quite structural myself ...and the work as you say is just plain crappy in that area ...

 

[mcgovern61]

Apparently frames were a weak point for Honda. My buddy that has an 1800 has had Goldwings for years. He told me about the major frame issues Honda had with the 1500's that his was actually recalled for welding issues. Honda seems to have gotten a grip on the issues over the years, but the older bikes are still an issue.

 

[pidjones]

Yes, ALL '01-'04'wings were recalled for frame inspection, possible re-weld, and many complete frame replacements. They had problems with steel, then they REALLY had problems with aluminum. I have an '06, which is supposed to be Ok. It only sets in the rain at work or when I'm traveling. She sets in an air conditioned/heated basement garage at home.

 

[OldWrench]

I have a really good 1980 frame if you could use it. However I'm on the west coast.