Citation

Johnson G. Collision 2009; 4(2): 46-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although Honda Gold Wing motorcycles have been equipped with linked braking systems (LBS) for 27 years, misunderstanding exists about what an LBS actually is and how it works. This article describes the components and operation of the 2001-2010 GL1800 Gold Wing LBS. Tests were performed to study the effects of the LBS. The rear brake of the Gold Wing is a single ventilated 316mm disc with one three-piston caliper. The front brakes are composed of dual, full-floating 296mm discs with dual three-piston calipers. Other components of the Gold Wing include a three-stage proportional control valve that couples the front and rear calipers, a delay valve that smoothes front-brake engagement when rear pedal pressure is applied, and a secondary master cylinder attached to the left front brake caliper. Tests of the LBS were performed using both brakes simultaneously, the rear brake pedal only and the front brake lever only. During the tests, the front wheel was inadvertently locked twice. The effectiveness of rear brake pedal only was significantly better than expected and sometimes exceeded the simultaneous application of both front and rear brakes. The rear only braking did appear to take slightly longer from start to finish than the combined braking, but even with hard pedal pressure, there was no lockup of the front wheel.