Goldwing Rear Tire Change

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

Return to: Jim's Goldwing page.


Note: you can click on each picture to see a full size picture.

Saddle bag removal:


IMPORTANT NOTE: Before removing a saddle bag, make sure that you remove the side cover. The rear pins on the side covers connect into the front of the saddle bags. If you forget to remove the side covers, you might accidently break off the side cover pins.

The removal of the right saddle bag is optional. Some people do the job without removing it. However, depending on the circumstances, it is only a few extra minutes worth of work and it's removal provides access to the rear shock as well as easier access to the final drive.
Most of the pictures taken here were taken during my second tire change and I also removed the final drive to lube the drive shaft ends. So I removed the right saddle bag.

When doing the job on my 1200, instead of lowering the exhaust to remove the axle, I used to remove the lower bolts on both shocks, and swing the shocks out of the way and lift the swing arm. Then the axle would slide out over the muffler.


First the rear corner pieces need to be removed.
On each side there are two chrome clips that cover screws that hold them on.
Remove the clips, they just lift off.

On the side. On the rear.



These covers lift off. The screw is exposed.

Then remove the screws.
Finally remove the corner piece.

Here unplug the light connection.



Next, inside the saddle bag, disconnect the release cable. There is a little white plastic clip that just clips on the bar. Slide it off. Then rotate the clip to line the slot up with the cable and remove the clip from the cable. Then push the cable out the hole. It is held in place by 4 tabs.

This clip pops off. The clip, then the cable pushes back out the hole.

On the right saddle bag, if you have an air hose, remove the gromet around the hose.

The air hose gromet.


Inside each saddle bag there are 4 bolts holding it in place. There are two on the back and two on the bottom. Remove all 4 bolts.

Two bolts on the back.
Rear bolt on the bottom. Forward (and rear) bolt on the bottom.


Gently work the bag back and out until it comes free.

If you are doing the bike on the ground, you'll need to remove the center fender. Since I have a trailer hitch, I left mine in place. But there are two screws under the license plate. Then there is a horizontal support bar that needs to be removed. This will give you access to the rear to remove the tire through.


Saddlebag removed. Fender needs to be removed for tire to come out rear.


Go to next page:  Wheel removal.



Go to:  Rear tire change summary page.
Go to:  Trunk lower trim removal.
This page: 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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