GL1800 windshield removal / installation

[dave95sps]

I thought I would pass along a bit of information for our readers. This may be helpful next time you change out your windshield (GL1800). I just installed my Tulsa Freedom Slide +4" today. However, I choose to follow the instructions from the F4 windshield co, because they did not instruct you to remove the mirrors. By not having to remove the mirrors, I was able to save considerable time. They have photo illustrations for each step, provide the specific size socket / allen wrench you will need, and no problems were encountered. Below is the link for the GL1800 windshield removal/installation if interested. Since I could do this, it is likely almost anyone can ! 45 minutes for me, and I am slow. I found the instructions on the internet:

http://www.f4customs.com/media/Insta...ctions_pg4.pdf

Best wishes,
Dave

[Red Ron]

This should help a lot of guys. Thank you.

[Bartman]

Great find! Their instructions are MUCH better than what is in the Service Manual!

[wingwing]

good find! ...
thanks for posting that one
(I'm getting ready to put a new windshield on)

Dennis

[ben721364]

Very clear instructions. Thanks for the post.

I'm glad that my stock w/s is fine for me. Replacing a G-W windscreen is much more involved than replacing an electrically adjustable one on a BMW touring bike!

[Jchefboyardee]

Great Post!

[13sylvester]

Thanks, this is why I love this forum always great information.

[laf723]

Thanks. I need to change it out. Looks like it will be easy.

[kdurham]

I think that even I could do this! Thank you.

[Bentwing]

Replaced my oem with an F4 +4 and wow what a difference. I just followed the instructions took my time and it took me about 45 minutes. I really appreciated the tip about stuffing a rag in the mirror in case....glad I did cause I did!

F4's service was incredible. I can't say enough about how well I was treated. They even said to call them and they would walk we through each step on the phone if I had trouble.....really first class.

[sgtsandbagger]

Read all the posts and went and did it. Took about 10 minutes with cleaning and everything. This baby is really nice to work on compared to my sportbikes.

[SlowJoe]

Best tip I got was when you get the mirrors turned back stuff some rags down in the bottomless pit holes you see. Sure enough fat fingers like mine dropped the small screws and there they were waiting for me to pick up and try again. Without the rags you will hear it trickle down into the front of the bike( WHO KNOWS WHERE)

[daddysbike]

Thanks for the post. It helped me install my new Cee Baileys sport windshield.

Steve

[1 big skeeter]

Originally Posted by SlowJoe

Best tip I got was when you get the mirrors turned back stuff some rags down in the bottomless pit holes you see. Sure enough fat fingers like mine dropped the small screws and there they were waiting for me to pick up and try again. Without the rags you will hear it trickle down into the front of the bike( WHO KNOWS WHERE)

EXACTLY RIGHT Slow Joe

The 10mm nut in the mirror areas is easy to drop into "The Abyss". I found using my Sears magnetic pickup up while unscrewing these by hand lets me grab them before they fall.

[Mirage47]

Great instructions, thanks!

Poor bee though, I may have to call peta....

[bbach]

Thank you from here as well. Great help and very appreciated.

[yechave]

We haven't even taken ownership of our 06 yet (soon), but this is one of the first projects I expect to need to do. I greatly appreciate the link on how to do this! Any thought on aftermarket shields? Considering the +2 with a Laminar type lip. Have not had time to look into which make just yet.

Any suggestions on replacement parts on any of the following, feel free to PM me!

Expecting to install new tires immediately (3 dealers said to use the Dunlap Elite 3's), a half cover (not sure which one yet - Nelson Riggs, the Wingstuff.com one, or the Kuryakyn), and having a mechanic test ride the bike to check the trans. It jumped in and out of either 4th or 5th at about 50 mph. We only had about 20 minutes to test ride the bike before it started to rain.

I came home and started looking up the issues I had found even before we agree to buy the bike in the short time I had to look it over. I did not feel really great knowing Honda had so many transmission problems with the 06.

Anyone know of a shifter extension? BMW makes a nice one, but I think the rubber on the shifter on the GW is considerably larger diameter than the BMW.

Still having a hard time believing Honda has been aware of the bar shake and tire cupping as well on so many of these GW's for so long and continued to make the bike the same way. Our local dealer said he has seen people try just about every after market product to stop the shake, and nothing has worked well or been worth the money and time. Any thoughts on that?

After leaving 2) BMW's behind due to all kinds of expensive repair problems in our short time of owing them, I had hoped not to have any issues with a GW of on 7k miles.

Thanks!

[glarson3]

Great info. I made the mistake of removing the wrong bolts from the garnish. I actually disconnected the garnish from the assembly. I just assembled that part before I put it back on the bike. Piece of cake job. Took me about 30 minutes taking my time and making unnecessary mistakes. I actually put the new shield on before I remembered I needed to replace the tape under the shield. I can't believe I put this off for so long!

[wingnutzz]

Good post. I never remove my mirrors for this -- just not necessary.

Be sure to stuff the rag down in the open hole in the fairing before you remove the nut behind the mirrors -- very important as they will fall into the abyss.

[ben721364]

The GL1800 windscreen is easy to r & r compared to some but an absolute bear in comparison with BMW RTs and LTs.

Originally Posted by sgtsandbagger

Read all the posts and went and did it. Took about 10 minutes with cleaning and everything. This baby is really nice to work on compared to my sportbikes.

[boscoporp]

Perfect timing! I have ordered a Tulsa tall and I have been asking for help on how to install the new WS. This is so good that I may be able to do it myself!

[dave95sps]

boscoporp,

Let us know how those instructions worked for you. I am glad the timing was "perfect".

Best wishes,
Dave

[paulmeyers]

Hey Guys -

I am planning on cutting down my windshield so I am very happy to read the instructions here and the simplicity with which even I could probably do it?

We shall see in the spring when the bike comes out!

Thanks
PAUL

P.S. I will make sure to share that posting and PDF with my website visitors too.

[beastie]

Those of you who know me, know that I am a big fan of F4 Customs windshields - which are sold by our board sponsor, Honda Direct Line. I put tens of thousands of miles on my F4, including a trip to Alaska and back, and IMO the F4 is the best windshield on the market.

Don Frank - owner of F4 Customs - has posted a couple videos on YouTube showing how to change the windshield on a GL1800. Of course he is doing it with an F4 which he hopes you will buy but the instructions are generic to replacing a windshield. He has some other videos if you search YouTube for "F4 customs" such as for a GL1500.

[Road Runner]

Don - since I got a new bike - I don't have an F4 anymore.

When I get a buncha miles on it I will go there again. I bought my F4 after our Alaska trip (it needed a new windshield bad then)

So far my stock windshield will work until I need a new one!

Don - Our regards to Tina - hope she is doing well!

Jim & Brenda

[Digger]

A word to the wise:

Inspired by Fred's DVDs, I've taken to spritzing rubber parts with silicone spray, since it is such a good rubber preservative.

However........




Part #12 in the above diagram has some rubber pads. The last time I had the windscreen out, I spritzed a little silicone spray on the rubber pads, obviously without thinking .

Yep, those pads are what clamps the windscreen and prevents it from moving up and down. DAMHIK!

I spent a bit of time in a motel parking lot fixing that one, trying to beat sunset. Just about lost a screwdriver bit in the black hole beneath #12.

IHTH someone!

[Bartman]

Originally Posted by Digger

Part #12 in the above diagram has some rubber pads. The last time I had the windscreen out, I spritzed a little silicone spray on the rubber pads, obviously without thinking .

Yep, those pads are what clamps the windscreen and prevents it from moving up and down. DAMHIK!

I spent a bit of time in a motel parking lot fixing that one, trying to beat sunset. Just about lost a screwdriver bit in the black hole beneath #12.

IHTH someone!

You rockets scientists crack me up!

[daveo]

Excellent instructions. Worked like a charm. Replaced the factory WS with a +2 WS and didn't lose any hardware. The vent was more trouble than the WS. Glad I followed the F4 instructions. A+ First part is also the way you'd change out your windshield garnish too.

[Wingleader09]

Great tip, THANKS!

Always looking for better ways to do things.

[Digger]

Originally Posted by Digger

Part #12 in the above diagram has some rubber pads. The last time I had the windscreen out, I spritzed a little silicone spray on the rubber pads, obviously without thinking .

Yep, those pads are what clamps the windscreen and prevents it from moving up and down. DAMHIK!

I spent a bit of time in a motel parking lot fixing that one, trying to beat sunset. Just about lost a screwdriver bit in the black hole beneath #12.

IHTH someone!

Originally Posted by Bartman

You rockets scientists crack me up!

You flatter me! I've never claimed to be a rocket scientist....as we all know, you gotta be pretty darned smart to be one of those!

I'm just one of the dummies who was brain-damaged enough to actually volunteer to ride atop their handiwork!