PLEASE NOTE: We no longer supply any special wrench to install this rod, we have found you can use pretty much any normal 14mm wrench, just push it past the rubber boot with some force.
Well I did the whole front end check for loose steering issues today. Changed the Tie rod with TD solid one. Adjusted the left tie rod and placed the steering pin for alignment. Test ride...NO SHIMMY or shake in the front end, thought it was the balance of the tire or the Centrmatics were not working. Very happy to be able to ride 30-45mph without that shake in the front end. THANKS Max!
@@Traxxion well and I totally agree with you. I don't know if it just took the slack out of the loose steering. In the past it's always been the tire balance
This is really informative. The bit at the end about aligning the steering answered a question that was in the back of my mind. Thanks for posting the video.
Have you considered a harder rubber bushing on the left side instead of a solid metal bushing? I wonder if Honda hasn't tried to make sure that customers do not make modifications to the steering system that could end up inducing stress in the steering arms by virtue of poorly adjusted solidly-mounted tie rods on BOTH sides. Just a thought.
Max, I enjoy your videos. Have learned a lot as a new GW owner. I get the impression that the new Wing is a worrisome bike, a piece of junk. And a nightmare for us nonmechanics to work on. Is that an accurate impression?
No, every model and make has it's problems. On a bike as complex as a Wing, it's just that there's more opportunities for more problems. As time passes, people become aware of the common problems and the fixes. As far as quality goes, Honda is as good or better than any company in the world.
Max thanks for your videos. Question: would it be mechanically "wrong" to place 2 of your tie rods? I have seen the video where you remove one an ride like that... and how hard is it, and the video where you test ride this new mod. Night and day difference. So would it be a total overkill to install 2 of your rods, one on each side? Why Honda install rubber bushings? Are they doing any sort of cushion/absorbing vibrations that otherwise will transfer straight to the bar with a solid tie rod? Thanks for your videos and dedication
Hi Jhonathan! Honda has one tie rod mounted in rubber to prevent the 2 tie rods from inducing any unnecessary wear on each other. Changing both tie rods isn't necessary, in the million to 1 chance your right tie rod ever failed, it wouldn't matter if the left one had excess play. However, I think it's stupid to have that crazy floppy rubber busing they put there. It could have been much stiffer and it would be much safer. Past that, you couldn't use 2 of our tie rods, because you need at least one to be adjustable so that you could set the tie rods not to be in conflict with each other. I made our rod non-adjustable to take away the many possible places the stock rod could crack, break, etc. If you just replace the left floppy bushing with our stainless bushing, it makes the left side just like the right, and it would be perfectly normal to drive if the right side ever failed.
It should be fine. Some people like to loosen the jam nuts on the left tie rod, and wiggle the shaft to find where the rod is loosest and then lock them back down. If you have any trouble contact me via email, max@traxxion.com
So, I want to confirm because it is a bit confusing (at least for me): the installation requires a) the solid tie rod and b) two (2) solid stainless steel bushings. I'm correct or are we just replacing the bushing on the right side where the new tie rod will be installed?
@@Traxxion Roger that... Thanks Max. I'm having issues with the bike pulling to the right, so I started looking at the video where you explain how to fix it and starting watchin the other related to steering. I picked the bike last Wednesday in Iowa city and rode back to Virginia. The trip was the worse of my life. I have a neck/upper back injury, but never bother me on my 2006 GL1800. This bike managed to "re-open" my injury on the 1060 miles trip, I couldn't wait to get off the bike. I was very sad. The seat is awful (will talk with wingsoft about the mod) and already ordered back rest and highway pegs. But more importantly today I really could notice the issue of the bike pulling to the right... which is why my pain keep coming back every time I ride the bike more than 10 mins. During the trip I didn't pay attention because it was cold and rainy so my focus was on that. In your personal knowledge: do you think that replacing this rod can cause a voided guaranty? you know dealer will try to find any excuse not to repair a bike under warranty. Thanks.
@@biofractal78 If your bike is pulling to the right, it has nothing to do with the tie rods. They are just remote control arms. There is something else seriously wrong with the bike, and I would take it back and not keep it until it's fixed. Changing parts on Wings doesn't void any warranties... There isn't hardly a single goldwing on the road that hasn't been modified. We've been changing complete suspension systems and triple clamps on Wings all over the world for 15 years, never heard of a voided warranty as a result. Get your bike fixed first, don't worry about buying anything from us until your bike goes straight!
@@Traxxion Sorry that my comment was confusing. Yes I am aware that the tie rods has nothing to do with the bike pulling to the right. The bike slightly pulls to the right and is not the crown of the road. Im going to try the fix that you suggest on one of your videos, in which you use a special machined pin to lock the "tuning fork". Also I will check the free play on and alignment of the handlebars itself. Thanks for the reply and sorry for the confusing comment.
It's best to check it and adjust if necessary. There is no alignment for the front wheel, but you can align the handlebars to the front wheel perfectly. It requires 2 of the Steering Lock Pins for it to be "perfect".
Max, the OEM rod has two washers but I noticed you didn’t replace washers between your new rod threads and where it connects ? Are washers not necessary for the Traxxion rod? If it is, I’ll be taking it all back apart. Thank you sir!
@@Traxxion Ok but what I need to know is do I need to put washers back on the Traxxion tie rod or is it designed to install without them? In your video you don’t show any washers so I am assuming I don’t need them?
@@Traxxion lol I watched the video like 5 times and I thought either I was blind or my comprehension skills took a dump. Thanks Max. Love you guys over there at Traxxion. God bless
Hey max why do you think you or your guys are smarter than the whole research and development department of honda motorcycles... You know any of the ramifications for your handiwork overtime?..
@@Traxxion understanding that this is the business you chose to make $ at.. and not knowing of you or your company..just left me with a couple of questions.. Really glad you took time to respond..
PLEASE NOTE: We no longer supply any special wrench to install this rod, we have found you can use pretty much any normal 14mm wrench, just push it past the rubber boot with some force.
Well I did the whole front end check for loose steering issues today. Changed the Tie rod with TD solid one. Adjusted the left tie rod and placed the steering pin for alignment. Test ride...NO SHIMMY or shake in the front end, thought it was the balance of the tire or the Centrmatics were not working. Very happy to be able to ride 30-45mph without that shake in the front end. THANKS Max!
If your bike was wobbling, the tie rod should have had no effect. Not sure why it helped that.
@@Traxxion well and I totally agree with you. I don't know if it just took the slack out of the loose steering. In the past it's always been the tire balance
@@Doc832 tire balance or defective tire. Anyway, glad your bike is fixed!
Man do i appreciate when pros take the time to teach. Thanks Max!
You got it!
This is really informative. The bit at the end about aligning the steering answered a question that was in the back of my mind. Thanks for posting the video.
Would you use the locking fluid on the nuts on the tie rod? If not, why not?
Have you considered a harder rubber bushing on the left side instead of a solid metal bushing? I wonder if Honda hasn't tried to make sure that customers do not make modifications to the steering system that could end up inducing stress in the steering arms by virtue of poorly adjusted solidly-mounted tie rods on BOTH sides. Just a thought.
Max, I enjoy your videos. Have learned a lot as a new GW owner. I get the impression that the new Wing is a worrisome bike, a piece of junk. And a nightmare for us nonmechanics to work on. Is that an accurate impression?
No, every model and make has it's problems. On a bike as complex as a Wing, it's just that there's more opportunities for more problems. As time passes, people become aware of the common problems and the fixes.
As far as quality goes, Honda is as good or better than any company in the world.
Max thanks for your videos. Question: would it be mechanically "wrong" to place 2 of your tie rods? I have seen the video where you remove one an ride like that... and how hard is it, and the video where you test ride this new mod. Night and day difference. So would it be a total overkill to install 2 of your rods, one on each side?
Why Honda install rubber bushings? Are they doing any sort of cushion/absorbing vibrations that otherwise will transfer straight to the bar with a solid tie rod? Thanks for your videos and dedication
Hi Jhonathan! Honda has one tie rod mounted in rubber to prevent the 2 tie rods from inducing any unnecessary wear on each other. Changing both tie rods isn't necessary, in the million to 1 chance your right tie rod ever failed, it wouldn't matter if the left one had excess play. However, I think it's stupid to have that crazy floppy rubber busing they put there. It could have been much stiffer and it would be much safer.
Past that, you couldn't use 2 of our tie rods, because you need at least one to be adjustable so that you could set the tie rods not to be in conflict with each other. I made our rod non-adjustable to take away the many possible places the stock rod could crack, break, etc. If you just replace the left floppy bushing with our stainless bushing, it makes the left side just like the right, and it would be perfectly normal to drive if the right side ever failed.
If I'm just changing the right tie-rod. I assume, there is No adjustment needed in the steering
It should be fine. Some people like to loosen the jam nuts on the left tie rod, and wiggle the shaft to find where the rod is loosest and then lock them back down. If you have any trouble contact me via email, max@traxxion.com
These are about as fun to work on as Honda cars.
Can you just change the tie rod on the right without the change of the bushing on the left side?
Yes, for sure
Hi Max ! What is the torque value when you fix the steering rod finally ?
27 ft/lb
Do you use that soecial locking liquid on these bolts as well or is it not needed?
Just the crown nut.
So, I want to confirm because it is a bit confusing (at least for me): the installation requires a) the solid tie rod and b) two (2) solid stainless steel bushings. I'm correct or are we just replacing the bushing on the right side where the new tie rod will be installed?
You replace just the right tie rod (it's already solid mounted), and the left rear bushing (which is the floppy rubber one).
@@Traxxion Roger that... Thanks Max. I'm having issues with the bike pulling to the right, so I started looking at the video where you explain how to fix it and starting watchin the other related to steering.
I picked the bike last Wednesday in Iowa city and rode back to Virginia. The trip was the worse of my life. I have a neck/upper back injury, but never bother me on my 2006 GL1800. This bike managed to "re-open" my injury on the 1060 miles trip, I couldn't wait to get off the bike. I was very sad. The seat is awful (will talk with wingsoft about the mod) and already ordered back rest and highway pegs. But more importantly today I really could notice the issue of the bike pulling to the right... which is why my pain keep coming back every time I ride the bike more than 10 mins. During the trip I didn't pay attention because it was cold and rainy so my focus was on that.
In your personal knowledge: do you think that replacing this rod can cause a voided guaranty? you know dealer will try to find any excuse not to repair a bike under warranty.
Thanks.
@@biofractal78 If your bike is pulling to the right, it has nothing to do with the tie rods. They are just remote control arms. There is something else seriously wrong with the bike, and I would take it back and not keep it until it's fixed. Changing parts on Wings doesn't void any warranties... There isn't hardly a single goldwing on the road that hasn't been modified. We've been changing complete suspension systems and triple clamps on Wings all over the world for 15 years, never heard of a voided warranty as a result.
Get your bike fixed first, don't worry about buying anything from us until your bike goes straight!
@@Traxxion Sorry that my comment was confusing. Yes I am aware that the tie rods has nothing to do with the bike pulling to the right. The bike slightly pulls to the right and is not the crown of the road. Im going to try the fix that you suggest on one of your videos, in which you use a special machined pin to lock the "tuning fork".
Also I will check the free play on and alignment of the handlebars itself. Thanks for the reply and sorry for the confusing comment.
Max do you have to adjust the alignment?
It's best to check it and adjust if necessary. There is no alignment for the front wheel, but you can align the handlebars to the front wheel perfectly. It requires 2 of the Steering Lock Pins for it to be "perfect".
Max, the OEM rod has two washers but I noticed you didn’t replace washers between your new rod threads and where it connects ? Are washers not necessary for the Traxxion rod? If it is, I’ll be taking it all back apart. Thank you sir!
There is one washer between the tie rod and the top bridge, and no washer under the flange nut. At least that's how my bike came.
@@Traxxion Ok but what I need to know is do I need to put washers back on the Traxxion tie rod or is it designed to install without them? In your video you don’t show any washers so I am assuming I don’t need them?
@@robertf3340 Your choice. We put them back in normally. Not sure where/why they were for this video.
@@Traxxion lol I watched the video like 5 times and I thought either I was blind or my comprehension skills took a dump. Thanks Max. Love you guys over there at Traxxion. God bless
@@robertf3340 I hate to say "it doesn't matter", but if I had left them off of my bike, I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.
Does your garage perform these modifications for other bike owners
Max I vote to offer a tie rod for the left side also; Might as well get rid of all those weak ass Honda parts..
I would love to sell more parts, but not more parts you don't need. That one will serve its purpose just fine.
would that effect steering if braking in a corner?
More good info, Max. You 'da man.
Hey max why do you think you or your guys are smarter than the whole research and development department of honda motorcycles...
You know any of the ramifications for your handiwork overtime?..
Maybe these components are adjustable for a reason..
Various rider weight.. road conditions in different locations..
Cargo...
@@Traxxion understanding that this is the business you chose to make $ at.. and not knowing of you or your company..just left me with a couple of questions..
Really glad you took time to respond..