When to Change Goldwing GL1800 Timing Chain

How do you know when it’s time to change the timing chain on a Honda Goldwing GL 1800 motorcycle? Do you ever even have to? The answer might depend on how well you've kept up with the maintenance.

Partzilla’s powersports pro John Talley does live Q&As on our YouTube channel every Friday at 3pm Eastern. In this session, John answers a viewer’s question about when to replace the timing chain on a GL 1800 Goldwing Honda motorcycle.

Honda Goldwing GL1800 Timing Chain Replacement

Does the timing chain ever need replacing on a Honda Goldwing GL1800? If so, when?

John Talley: I think we actually did a short video on this where we looked at the chain-driven side for the Goldwing. We also compared it to the belt side. And if I remember correctly, the belt side is the older design, and the newer GLs all have chains. When it starts to get out of adjustment as far as what the tensioner can do, as far as keeping the chain tight, that’s when you know you’re in trouble. You’ll hear a little bit more of, not so much valve noise but chain noise. But I’ve seen Goldwings with 100,000 miles still not having an issue with their chains or their guides or the tensioners needing to be replaced. So if you’ve really kept up with your oil changes like you’re supposed to when you use the correct oil in it, I think that’s not a high priority of something that’s going to need to be replaced on it. But I would say if you bought this machine used, and you don’t know its service history, take it to a mechanic. Or better yet, if you’re part of a Goldwing club, sit there and listen to a newer bike with something less than 10,000 miles compared to yours if it has really high mileage. And just listen for that extra rubbing sound that’s associated with a chain starting to slap around in there. But the short answer to your question is that it will usually outlast the bike. Pretty simple.

Watch the video below to learn when to replace the timing belts or chains on a Honda Goldwing GL1800.

Watch the video below to see how to change the oil in a Honda Goldwing GL1800.

Want to see more live repair questions answered? See more motorcycle and ATV repair questions answered here.