It is possible to perform this upgrade without the removing the rear tire. If you would prefer to remove it you may need to remove your exhaust as well, in order to access the bolts. Consult the repair manual for directions on how to remove it.

You should perform this upgrade on a flat level surface and give yourself plenty of room to work around the bike. Safety is of upmost concern for you and those working on the bike as well as the bike itself.

DIRECTIONS (Clicking on an image will enlarge it – You have to click the arrow in your browser to go back to the directions)

1. Remove the rear horn using a 10mm socket or wrench. The horn is on the left side of the bike behind the floorboard.

   

   

2. Lift the bike: position your motorcycle jack as far forward under the bike, on the frame as you can so that the bike will still balance. You want to be able to access the front shock mount so positioning it forward will aid in this endeavor and keep the access point clear. You can use tie down straps to secure the bike so that it does not tip over. Either tie it down to the jack or if you are in a building you can secure it to the structure.

   

   

3. Stabilize the wheels. Support the front wheel as needed. Using your vehicle pump jack or bottle jack, lift and support the rear wheel so that it takes tension off the shock. There is a balance to this so be careful not to jolt the bike when moving through the following steps. I found that I had to raise my bike in order to get the right balance using the rear jack to remove/install the bolts that hold the shock in place.
4. Locate the rear mount point and the front mount point of the shock assembly. There are 17mm nuts on the right side of the bike. Using the sockets and socket wrenches you can remove the nuts (leaving the bolts in for now). You will have to access them from the side. It is not possible to get a wrench in there. I used the deep well for the front, but the back required that I use a shallow well socket with a short extension. I couldn’t fit the head of my my 1/2″ rachet in their so I had to use a 3/8” rachet. The rear bolt was on pretty tight. Not sure if the previous owner ever had work done to it but that nut was hard to get started. I sprayed some penetrating oil on it and let it sit. Leverage will be key.

   

   

5. While supporting the shock, remove the rear bolt and then remove the front bolt. You may need a helper to remove some of the pressure on the shock from the jack under the rear tire. I used a long screwdriver and a hammer to lightly tap out the bolts from the right side. The shock should roll forward and fall out. The dog bones should still be secured to the shock collar but keep an eye on them as you pull it out, just in case.
6. Once it is out you can remove the nut and bolt that hold the shock to the relay arm. You will need a rachet for each side this time. Next remove the dog bones from the relay arm and then pull the dog bones off the collar where it connects to the front of the shock.
7. Before you put the RoadWing on you will need to modify (grind) your relay arm so that the RoadWing will fit properly. You will want to grand a small area near the top middle of the inside of the relay arm where it intersects on the pivot. These videos should prove helpful to explain the need.
   BEFORE GRIND
   

   AFTER GRIND

    

   

   

   

   

8. Prior to installing the RoadWing to the relay arm you will want to ensure that the position of the hose connection is where you want it. There is a tiny allen set screw (2mm) that can be loosened so that you can rotate the slave cylinder to position the hose connection. I found it easiest to position it so the hose comes out of the bottom side so that I had access when the shock is installed.
   
9. The shock collar connects to the front side of the dog-bones and the flange connects to the top of the relay arm. I suggest you clean up the bolts and the rod that goes through the shock collar connecting the dog bones and use some Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant on them. You may have to grind a little off the inside of the bushings on the shock collar in order to slide the rod through (I did)). The bolt that connects the back of the shock to the relay arm should go in from the left side. The manual indicates that the torque specification for the bolt and nut holding the flange to the relay as 29 ft lb. (don’t forget the washer). The bolt that connects the dog bones to the relay arm should go in from the left also. The manual indicates that the torque specification for the bolts and nuts holding the dog bones to the relay arm as 43 ft lb. (don’t forget the washer).

   

10. Place the shock assembly under the bike to begin install. In order to install it on the bike you will need to disconnect the hose. I found it best to remove it from the pump or RAP and then fish it up through the frame, etc. to where you will place your pump/RAP. You will want to secure the copper washers. Be sure to keep the hose in a position so you will lose as little fluid as possible. You could use tape to cap it off. I fished the hose up through the opening as seen in the picture below. I used the original Honda pump so it comes out in an area where I will place the pump (see below).

    

11. When mounting the relay arm and the front of the shock, the bolts should be fed in on the left side. I suggest you apply some Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant  on the bolts. The manual indicates that the torque specification for the bolts and nuts holding the relay arm and the front of the shock to the frame as 43 ft lb. (don’t forget the washer in the back only – front nut has a shoulder). You should torque them down after the bike is back on the ground.
    
    
12. I stayed with the original Honda pump therefore I needed to find a place to put it. Chris Jones suggests that for the 99-07 models you locate it under the right side-cover. You will have to remove the little bracket that holds two relays (10mm socket) slightly bend the mount point out (so you can get the pump in) and push the relays aside so you can feed the pump in. You can see the location of the hose mount and where it is coming from in the picture. This is the best option to hide it and utilize it. Zip ties hold it in nicely. I used two zip ties to secure it to that mount point and one on the bottom of the pump to the frame. You can see the two relays (one on top and one to the side. Also note the area where the hose comes out. It all tucks under the side cover nicely.
    
    You will want to remove the connection on the side of the pump prior to install. It is not necessary. I just put black tape over the hole which is covered by the mount point. I also had to replace the two screws on the top.
    
    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    If you have an 08-14 you cannot locate the electric pump in the same spot. I recently helped a member install a RoadWing on an 08. We were able to feed the line to the back and locate the electric RAP on the swing arm just in front of the bag. It didn’t interfere with the bag. We zip tied it to the frame in two spots. We put a little padding between the electric RAP and the rear fender so that it didn’t cause any damage to the fender or make noise from vibration.

    

    

    It is not easy to see but we located the electrical harness (from Chris Jones) under the right side-cover. I forgot to get a good picture of it.

    

13. I located my switch on the left side under the passenger floorboard. Once I install a batwing I will mount it there.
    
    
    If you have a manual RAP, here are a couple ideas on where to locate it.
    

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1. In order to get the best result, you will want to bleed the air out of the system. Below is a video by Henry Swanson that will give you some details on how to refresh the fluid and bleed it. I have also included a link to a Goldwing owner’s video and a Goldwing owners page for those that have the electric pump. Both sources provide great information on either set up. NOTE: Sometimes renewing the fluid will increase the preload ability. If you convert your own shock you know it needs to be done. Unless your RoadWIng comes fully assembled it is likely that the fluid has been drained and will need to be filled.
   
   Bleeding the pump
   Henry Swanson
   

   Goldwing
   
   
   http://goldwing.eurekaboy.com/reservoirfill.htm – Goldwing

2. Chris Jones makes a harness for the original Honda pump. You can pick it up here.
   https://www.flippingonzo.com/2020/05/roadwing-electrical-harness-hi-im-gonzo.html
   Decide where you want your toggle switch and mount it up.
   

   

   At the time of writing these instructions (March 2021) this is the least expensive solution since the manual RAP is hard to come by for less than $80.00.You will want to search for one from a BMW 650, 1100, 1150 or 1200 motorcycle (rear mono shock). Not all of the shocks use the same RAP so here is a picture of the one that works with this set-up.
   
   Kris Kohler on the Facebook Road Star Clinic Group makes and sells manual RAPS to be used with the RoadWing. If you can’t find a BMW manual RAP I suggest you look him up and get a manual RAP from him. Here is what it looks like.
   

   

3. Whether you have the electric or manual RAP you will want test it to make sure it is connected properly, and it works as it should before you buckle everything up.
4. Put your horn, trim pieces, seat, etc. back on and you are ready to ride (you can clean up your tools later – get out and ride!).