Bikers Workshop Series

Replacing the Air Filter on a GL1800, 2006 and later (non-airbag) models.

By Steve Saunders.

Honda Goldwing GL1800 air filter replacement instructions, with photos and video. The procedure is broadly similar on all GL1800 models. The GL1800 in this article is a 2008 Audio/Comfort/Navi model and the procedure is the same for all 2006 and later non-airbag models. If your GL1800 Goldwing is an earlier 2001-2005 model, CLICK HERE for that article.

Video tutorial to go with this article is available in high and low resolution versions. Download links at the bottom of the page.

Click the thumbnails for a bigger image.

The air filter on GL1800 Goldwings is under the radio/shelter area and this has to be removed to get to the filter.

Remove the left side panel and disconnect the Goldwing battery negative terminal.

Saddle removal. Remove the grab handles (6mm Allen Key), raise the rear of the saddle and pull it back and upwards to remove. Heated saddles need to be unplugged.

Remove the other side panel.

Remove the Meter Panel. On all Honda GL1800 Goldwings from 2006, the panel is clipped into place and not bolted like earlier models. Pull the panel ignition end up and the speaker ends back from the dash, towards the rear of the Goldwing.

The Meter panel is connected to the GL1800 dash area by the large connector shown below. This can be fiddly to unplug, press the tab firmly and pull the connector out of the socket.

Unplug the small speakers at the back of the Meter Panel and put the panel to one side.

Now to remove the shelter from the GL1800. The fairing rear end is secured by a 10mm nut on each side.

The fairing edge trims should be removed starting at the bottom end.

Remove the four bolts from under each trim piece.

Don't mix the bolts under the trims up, there are three different sizes.

Don't mix up the bolts under the speakers either.

Remove the fairing pockets. You can do this before you remove the fairing trims or after, it doesn't really matter.

Right fairing pocket.

Almost there, just the Phillips screws around the ignition and the vent lever under the left speaker to remove before you will raise the rear of the shelter.

Gently raise the rear of the shelter and disconnect the Honda radio unit.

Now lift the shelter up and put it to one side.

The air filter is under the ECM/Cruise bracket, which need to be removed next.

Lift the ECM away, no need to unplug it unless you really want to.

The large plastic bracket that the Cruise and ECM sit on is next, four 10mm bolts. Also remove the Phillips screw from each air intake duct and pull the ducts out of the air filter cover.

Gently move the wiring out of your way so the bracket can be pulled to the right.

With the bracket to one side, you will have access to the seven Phillips screws that hold the air filter cover down. The screws don't come out all the way, so you can't lose them.

Pull the sensor out of the cover.

Take out the old air filter and clean underneath with a clean rag.

Refit the air filter cover and reassemble the GL1800 in the reverse order.

If the Youtube video isn't working, you can download the video clip directly. I have it hosted on Rapidshare for fast download;

 CLICK HERE to download the high resolution video clip, 13 minutes WMV video. 1280x720, 126MBs file size.

CLICK HERE to download the low resolution video clip, 13 minutes WMV video. 320x240, 49MBs file size.

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