Ghost shifting ...........again

[JaysGone]

Last September I had a small post about what I called at the time ghost shifting.
In my case occasionally it would shift itself from 4th to 3rd under acceleration. No biggy just a little surprise and all was well.
Today not so much.
This morning while on my ride to work. Stopped at a light. Then as Im accelerating onto a major 4 lane 55mph road. Im going from 4th to 5th at about 60ish and then a god awful banging and the bike shifts from 5th to 4th?? It was stuck in some gear.
Pulled in the clutch got to the side of the road.
Eventually with some jumping up and down on the gear lever got it into gear.
Went on my merry way like nothing had happened.
So my question here is: Has Honda ever admitted to this being a problem??
I was told Honda did indeed make some changes to the gear box with the 2014 models.
Should I pay who knows what to have it looked at?? Or just hope it doesn't happen again.
Or better yet sell the trike?? Im leaning towards this option as the repair bill. Whatever they would be "repairing" would be more then Im willing to spend. Ive heard over $3k+ for a new transmission.

What do you guys all think??

[paws]

Might be best to sell it and go to something else for your peace of mind and happiness. Life is too short and the financial investment is too large to not be enjoying the investment. From your previous posts the last couple of years it seems you haven't been too happy with it since you got it. Best of luck to you in your decision.

[JaysGone]

Might be best to sell it and go to something else for your peace of mind and happiness. Life is too short and the financial investment is too large to not be enjoying the investment. From your previous posts the last couple of years it seems you haven't been too happy with it since you got it. Best of luck to you in your decision.

Nope not really. Live and learn. Most 18 month old vehicles aren't in the used sales end without good reason. Ive had a bad feeling since day 2 about this trike. Motor Trike components bad that weren't taken care of before the sale type things. CV joint seals leaking for one thing.

A lot of it just honestly with small things on the Gold Wing end. For whats supposed to be Hondas flagship bike.

Its sorely lacking in a lot of departments.

Even in 2017 not much on it has been changed.

Im a bit more educated today then I was 5 years ago about trikes in general.

Now I have to worry about dependability issues?? Am I going to get from point A to B??

Ill have to give this one some serious thought.

[cjmitch]

Last September I had a small post about what I called at the time ghost shifting.

In my case occasionally it would shift itself from 4th to 3rd under acceleration. No biggy just a little surprise and all was well.

Today not so much.

This morning while on my ride to work. Stopped at a light. Then as Im accelerating onto a major 4 lane 55mph road. Im going from 4th to 5th at about 60ish and then a god awful banging and the bike shifts from 5th to 4th?? It was stuck in some gear.

Pulled in the clutch got to the side of the road.

Eventually with some jumping up and down on the gear lever got it into gear.

Wnt on my merry way like nothing had happened.

So my question here is: Has Honda ever admitted to this being a problem??

I was told Honda did indeed make some changes to the gear box with the 2014 models.

Should I pay who knows what to have it looked at?? Or just hope it doesn't happen again.

Or better yet sell the trike?? Im leaning towards this option as the repair bill. Whatever they would be "repairing" would be more then Im willing to spend. Ive heard over $3k+ for a new transmission.

What do you guys all think??

http://www.justwings.com/

give them a call

he seems to have it down pat

http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

[Papa Zook]

http://www.justwings.com/

give them a call

he seems to have it down pat

http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

The Just Wings Shop owner is also a Goldwing Tech Contributor here on the forum, username GoldWingrGreg he posts in the Honda section. And yes he is the the man when it comes to GL1800 transmissions.

[Gold Rush]

My '06 would do this between 4th and 5th every once in a while. I got so I could recognize when it was going to happen because the shift did not feel as positive as usual. I'd down shift again and then up shift into 5th without incident. The 2015 Roadsmith has not miss yet.

[hogcowboy]

It won't go away. It will happen again and may do more damage than you want to take care of. Once you get it all worked out you'll have a bike good for your life. But I do understand bad vibes too.

[GoldWingrGreg]

What do you guys all think??

Thanks everyone for directing him towards me.

Sorry JaysGone to hear about your tranny problem. I feel your pain. I learned of this problem after buying a new 2004, and then a new 2007. Those too became ghost shifters. On this forum, you are fortunate not to have a bunch of fellow riders, who personally know nothing about your issue, because they've never rode one that did it, but who will openly share their false beliefs, and blame you for your transmission problem ... you shift wrong, maintain your Wing incorrectly, or you've equipped it incorrectly. The reality is this ... "it is not your fault !!!"

The reason others directed you towards me is probably for 2 reasons. I repair more GL1800 transmissions then anyone else in the world. And, I do additional matching to the gears to correct the problem. Many m/c already come with this add'l machining (undercutting the dogs); however GL1800s do not come that way from Honda.

I would encourage you to read up about the issue by googling "GL1800 ghost shifting." If you do, what you will probably discover is this. Many others have written about their problem, but pretty much only I have authored anything about correcting it.

[cjmitch]

My '06 would do this between 4th and 5th every once in a while. I got so I could recognize when it was going to happen because the shift did not feel as positive as usual. I'd down shift again and then up shift into 5th without incident. The 2015 Roadsmith has not miss yet.

This is exactly right...

You got to know the feel of when it is not meshing properly, and then down shift and bring it back up.

When I first got the bike it did a "bad feel " shift then about 50 ft later BANG. Luckily I recognized the problem, and it hasnt done it but once snice. Now when ever I do a light touch shift, I immediately back it off and redo the shift...

Its almost like habit now

[rhino 2]

On this forum, you are fortunate not to have a bunch of fellow riders, who personally know nothing about your issue, because they've never rode one that did it, but who will openly share their false beliefs, and blame you for your transmission problem ... you shift wrong, maintain your Wing incorrectly, or you've equipped it incorrectly. The reality is this ... "it is not your fault !!!"

Not quite the same..With my Gunner [Vic] 2or 3 times when in neutral at a light, And the light changes ' Pop the trans to first, and half way through the intersection, It went back into neutral.. That gets your attention quick. So i go on the Victory forum that i am a member...Not to ask, Just to read because i know what the answers on a single bike forum would likely be.. Anyway 5 or 6 other people had that same thing happen to them....

The answers from the experts with the high number of post's, Range from Never had that happen to mine so your nuts, Or if you ''ARE'' using Victory recommended oil, Thats the problem..You should be using XYZ brand miracle oil..Or its your fault your not shifting right...ETC..ETC...

And thats why this forum Trike-Talk is the best...

The hard heads don't live here...

[GoldWingrGreg]

This is exactly right...

You got to know the feel of when it is not meshing properly, and then down shift and bring it back up.

When I first got the bike it did a "bad feel " shift then about 50 ft later BANG. Luckily I recognized the problem, and it hasnt done it but once snice. Now when ever I do a light touch shift, I immediately back it off and redo the shift...

Its almost like habit now

I know you may not be close to my shop, but if you are ever in the area, stop in and I will show you exactly what your transmission is doing. Before I'm even done explaining it, you will probably relies that your transmission is living on borrowed time. Having gears in your hand, and seeing their design is quite convincing. For most a light bulb goes off in their head before I even get 1/2 through the explanation.

To correct the "bad shift feel," instead of re-shifting, you might get the same "correction" by letting off the throttle, and then throttling back on immediately after completing your shift. Re-clutching can do the same also.

[cjmitch]

I know you may not be close to my shop, but if you are ever in the area, stop in and I will show you exactly what your transmission is doing. Before I'm even done explaining it, you will probably relies that your transmission is living on borrowed time. Having gears in your hand, and seeing their design is quite convincing. For most a light bulb goes off in their head before I even get 1/2 through the explanation.

You might not remember but we have actually already met....

It was at wingding, and I asked you to leave your transmission assembly at the booth so I could take pictures of a transmission assembly that you had undercut for the Ohio GWRRA newsletter.

I dont (knock on wood) think Im really all that close to it going out... the one time it did (ghost) was back in 2006, i had just gotten the bike and I was, as a new owner is want to do "babying it"

Hasn't done it but one other time since that same year. I learned how to do a full and hard shift, and it has not happened since, and I get full confident gear changes.

To correct the "bad shift feel," instead of re-shifting, you might get the same "correction" by letting off the throttle, and then throttling back on immediately after completing your shift. Re-clutching can do the same also.

You know that is how I was taught to shift a bike. I was taught to never shift under a high rev load, Let up, clutch, Shift, release, and rev it

Usually when I feel that the shift is not right is when i do not follow that advice!!!

Have never done the reclutch, but I will keep it in mind

[Burnerboy]

Greg,

I want to take this time to "thank you" for all your help with the Goldwing population all these years............

I'm on the other GL1800 board all the time under "Captron"



I'd love the chance to meet you at some point, BUT being from Massachusetts that would be kinda hard to do...

Question: How would one get their bike to you if far away from Florida like I am, in case I ever have a tranny problem???

Is there a delivery service available?

thank you again,

Ronnie

(Springfield, Massachusetts)

[GoldWingrGreg]

Greg,

I want to take this time to "thank you" for all your help with the Goldwing population all these years............

I'm on the other GL1800 board all the time under "Captron"



I'd love the chance to meet you at some point, BUT being from Massachusetts that would be kinda hard to do...

Question: How would one get their bike to you if far away from Florida like I am, in case I ever have a tranny problem???

Is there a delivery service available?

thank you again,

Ronnie

(Springfield, Massachusetts)

Thank you for the compliment.

In regards to getting a Wing to me for tranny repair. Compared to some, you are actually close. The furthest one has come thus far came for Portland, OR. I had another customer say " I live so far north into Canada that we only have 2 good weeks of riding time per year."

Some use professional m/c shipping companies, occasionally an owner will ride them here only using 1st-4th, but most will trailer them. About once or twice a year I get just the engine shipped to me in a crate. Those mostly come from dealers, or other shops; however, sometimes a DIY will remove his own motor and ship just the motor. Once the work is done, some will fly in to pick them up and ride them home. I also ship transmissions and complete rebuild/re-assembly kits to other countries where the owners report that they basically have "no support" from Honda.

In addition to transmission work, they'll come from many states away for on-going services, repairs, valve adjustments, fork over hauls, and other common work. Sometimes JustWings is their destination, while others will drop their Wing off to visit someone, or vacation, or snowbird here for the winter. For example, last week I had guy from Clanton, AL who come for front fork/spring work. While he was here he visited his aging aunt.

Please say hello for me to my many friends on the other forum, and you are certainly welcome to send them here for help or advise.

[JaysGone]

As long as this old post has been brought back.

I still have the "Ghost Shift" issue.

But Ive gotten to the point where I can usually feel when its going to happen and yank in the clutch down shift and then reshift back into 5th gear.

Ive been caught with my pants down so to speak maybe 3 or 4 times since this was 1st posted.

I just have learned to live with it I guess. For now.

Still not nuttz about the GL1800 in general but it has been a trouble free bike since the 1st lets say year I owned it. Other then the occasional shift issue.

Turn the key and go.

And no I wont sell it.

Between the trike and my Yamaha RoadStar which is now 12 years old. My new bike days are behind me.

[GoldWingrGreg]

I still have the "Ghost Shift" issue.

I'm not saying that your Wing is not operated or maintained correctly, but I am saying it's best to remove such as a possibility. To verify that it's being shifted correctly, review the Owner's Manual > index > shifting gears. To review proper maintenance > index > periodic maintenance and then scroll down to the Maintenance Schedule. Also, pay particular attention to the oil changing section regarding engine oil needs and requirements. Any suggestions in the oil section should be taken seriously. For example, when it says 10w-30, that does not mean 5w-30. When it suggest m/c specific oil, that means to only use m/c specific oil.

Also, the Wing should have an OEM shift lever and an OEM left hand grip. If it has a heal-toe shifter, the lever needs inspected every 8,000 miles. If it has excessive side to side movement, it needs replaced. Since excessive is a subjective word, most pivots pins, levers, and pivot bushings have a life span of 30-40k.

[JaysGone]

Everything transmission related is OEM and regularly maintained. As it should be.

I do use Aimsoil 10w-30. Change the oil every 5K, 7500 miles max. and clutch fluid as per Hondas timetable/mileage.

Truth is the shifting issue to me is worth mentioning but overall minor.

When its happened. Its always been under heavy acceleration getting up to highway speed entering the roadway.

When shifting I can feel a firm change of gears. 1,2,3rd. Every once in awhile going into 4th not so firm a shift. 5th feels fine.

Its the going into 5th, from 4th is when it has happened, pops back into 4th. On its own while still in 5th and still hard accelerating.

I should come over to your side and have it checked.

If it happened frequently and did it regular. Id be over to you in a heartbeat.

I did mention it to my local Honda dealer when they did the brake recall again, and I had the clutch fluid changed. They say with a "wink" it still doesn't exist on the older wings. They know its real at the dealership. But Mother Honda wouldn't pay for it under warranty as you cant make it happen at will.

I have over 45 years of riding experience. 5 Hondas over those years.

Honda is full of crap and they know it..........

[GoldWingrGreg]

But Mother Honda wouldn't pay for it under warranty as you cant make it happen at will.

Early stages of ghost shifting can be very elusive. My 2004 Wings that I bought new, ghost shifted about every 10,000 miles. I sold that Wing with 58k on the ODM and think it ghosted 6 times. When I bought a new 2007, it first ghost shifted just under 10k; however, unlike my 04 it progressively got worst quickly. They are all different. Many have a problem, but most don't. When they are new, banginess when shifting is a bad sign. None shift quite same, and they all feel a little different. When new ... the worst they bang the more likely they'll become a ghost shifter.

[JaysGone]

Mine doesn't bang as you shift. There is a firm "click" in the shifter as you run through the gears.

Get to 4th and there isn't a "click" it just goes into gear. It just doesn't have the same feel as the other gears do.

As for the transmission it feels normal in 4 out of 5 gears. 4th doesn't, never has. Im not the original owner. I got the trike it was 18 months old with 10K showing on the odometer. I use my trike to commute daily. But don't do a lot of miles a year. Maybe 3K a year.

I use my Yamaha Road Star equally as much. Maybe more.

So with only 3K a year and maybe it missing a shift once or twice a year. I cant find it in my mind to invest in having the tranny rebuilt.

I have read everything you have written over the years since I had my 1st incident. Which turned out to be drive shaft related. That was replaced by MT back then under warranty as Honda refused to even look at it at the time.

Trust me should it ever go south.

Expect me to have it trailered to your door.

That being said I hope we never meet under those circumstances.

If Im ever on the West side. Expect me to at least stop by and say hello.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Not quite the same..

And thats why this forum Trike-Talk is the best...

The hard heads don't live here...

Rhino 2 ... I've been heavily involved in GL1800 transmission repair since 2010, and have always been able to say this. GL1800's are the only known modern day m/c to use a high/low dog design since the very early 70s. 3 weeks ago, I found out that some Victory models, or possibly all models use a hi/low design too.

So, I'm sorry to tell you but this "With my Gunner [Vic] 2or 3 times when in neutral at a light, And the light changes ' Pop the trans to first, and half way through the intersection, It went back into neutral.. That gets your attention quick. So i go on the Victory forum that i am a member...Not to ask, Just to read because i know what the answers on a single bike forum would likely be.. Anyway 5 or 6 other people had that same thing happen to them....

The answers from the experts with the high number of post's, Range from Never had that happen to mine so your nuts, Or if you ''ARE'' using Victory recommended oil, Thats the problem..You should be using XYZ brand miracle oil..Or its your fault your not shifting right...ETC..ETC..."

is the same **it I had to put up with for year. All the riders and mechanics who no nothing about what you are talking about will blame it all on you. You shifted to fast ... or clutch wrong ... or you have a heal-toe shifter ... or your oil is wrong ... or you should have been going north and you were heading south became know as voodoo reasoning.

If your transmission problems are like ours, "It is absolutely not your fault." The only thing you did was choose the wrong one when you bought it. You should have chosen the Victory sitting next to the one you picked.