Goldwing Rear Tire Change

This page: Rear tire change summary page.
Go to:  Trunk lower trim removal.
Go to:  Saddlebag removal.
Go to:  Wheel removal.
Go to:  Coupling cleaning and lubrication.
Go to:  Driveshaft maintainence.

Return to: Jim's Goldwing page.

Removing and reinstalling the rear tire is similar on all the early model Goldwings. I have done the job several times on my 1200, but unfortunately I don't have any pictures.
I have done the job twice now on my 1500 and while there are a few minor differences, for the most part the job is very much the same on both bikes. As I outline the job below, I will try to point out the differences as I experienced them.

Also note that there are variations in the job on the 1500. Some people do it differently than I do. For example, there is a method of removing the saddle bags and the trunk as one unit. The saddle bags and trunk mount to a sub frame that can be removed by removing 6 bolts and the associated electrical wiring. I have not experimented with this method. Additionally, I have a trailer hitch on my bike, and I would have to disconnect the front of the hitch from the rear crash bars.

The trailer hitch requires modification of the method of rear wheel removal. Without the hitch, the rear tire can be removed with the bike on the floor. The rear fender is removed and the tire comes out the back.

With the trailer hitch, either the hitch must be removed, or the bike must be elevated and the rear wheel must be hanging over open air so that the wheel can be removed in a downward direction.

Timewise, practice makes a big difference. The first time I did the job on my 1200 I spent at least 3-4 hours. It was a big job. The last time I did the job it was about 45 minutes to get the wheel off, and about 35 minutes to get the bike put back together again.

The 1500 I haven't done it enough yet to get a good read on the time. The first time I did it, it was a mess. Whoever did it previous to me had a real habit of over-torquing bolts. I fought and fought to get things apart, it took a long time.

The second time, I took a lot of extra time to take pictures. Additionally I also I took advantage of having the rear end apart and took the drive shaft out to grease the splines and replace the rear oil seal on the drive shaft. This is listed as regular maintenance on the 1200. On the 1500 it is not listed in the regular mainenance schedule, but I belive it is a good idea to do this at least every 50,000 miles give or take a few. This is especially true if you pull a trailer.


Go to next page:  Trunk lower trim removal.


This page: Rear tire change summary page.
Go to:  Trunk lower trim removal.
Go to:  Saddlebag removal.
Go to:  Wheel removal.
Go to:  Coupling cleaning and lubrication.
Go to:  Driveshaft maintainence.

Return to: Jim's Goldwing page.

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