For your information from Jim Hutchens, Region D Senior Director

Hello Everyone,

The current situation with defective frames on what appears at this point to be affecting a small percentage of GL 1800's, is now being 
investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In being pro-active to this problem we ask you to pass this information along 
through the chain of communications. There will also be an announcement in the October issue of Wing World with this information.

Owners of the GL 1800 are encouraged to check the frame to ensure it is free of defects. Any suspicion of defect should be immediately reported 
to a local Honda dealership.

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NHTSA Investigates GL1800 Frame Complaints

In an investigation opened August 11, 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation
officially began looking into complaints of rear suspension collapse affecting a small number of 2001-2003 GL1800 Gold Wings from an 
estimated population of 10,000 units.

NHTSA's resume of the situation cites four instances of weld failures of centerstand crossmembers leading to separation from the frame, and four
instances of cracks appearing in this weld area.

NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation and information gathering process based on confirmed instances.

As of this issue's publication date, Honda has only said they are in the process of conducting their own investigation. However, in seven out of 
the eight instances cited in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the NHTSA resume, Honda has executed a buy-back of the unit in question.

The NHTSA resume summarizes: ".The lowermost crossmember (to which the centerstand and rear suspension linkage are attached) separates due to
failure of the welds securing it to the frame. When this occurs, the rear suspension collapses without warning and the motorcycle undercarriage
(typically the retracted centerstand) drags on the ground. In some instances, rear tire/fender contact also results.

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GWRRA recommends that all Members who own 2001-2003 GL1800s perform visual checks of the crossmember welds of their machines, and/or schedule a 
visit to their Honda dealership to have a visual check performed.