I don't believe that Honda provided instructions for modifying the Opening Ceremony in the Owner's Manuals for the 2001 GL1800's. Also, there are quite a few folks that have purchased a used GL1800 that don't have a copy of the owners manual. So I've copied these instructions that were originally assembled by Gordon Banks before the instructions were in the manual. I've verified that these instructions work fine. It takes patience, and a couple of screw-ups before you get it right.
CUSTOM PROGRAMMING THE GL1800'S OPENING CEREMONY
(Note: For the following steps, "Press" means 'press and release'.)
1. Turn ignition key to ON or ACC, and wait for the normal screen display after the opening ceremony.
2. Press (press and release) the MODE button three times.
3. Simultaneously 'press and hold' the TRIP and DISP buttons for at least two full seconds, and then release.
4. Press the MODE button.
5. Press the DISP button. You should now see the word "SPECIAL!". If not, turn OFF the ignition key, and start all over.
6. Press the TRIP button.
7. At the prompt "Change OK?", press the MODE button.
8. You should now see a 12-character line, with the cursor at the left end. Use the TRIP button to cycle through the available characters until you find the one you want (letters, numbers, blank, and some others). Note: You cannot back up when cycling through the characters! If you pass the one you want, you'll have to cycle around to the desired character again.
9. When the desired character appears, press the DISP button to move the cursor to the next space to the right. The cursor moves only to the right, and then wraps from the right end back to the left end.
10. When the desired 12 characters have been selected, press the MODE button to store the selected characters into memory. Now turn the ignition key to OFF while watching the display screen. You should see the words "SEE YOU!", with your 12-character line just underneath. When you turn the ignition key to ON or ACC, you should see "HELLO" and your 12 character line, and then a message saying "Welcome to the Gold Wing World".
The above steps should get you started, but a little experimenting may still be in order. Possible 12-character lines include: Your GWRRA number (GWRRA_154381) Your name (Gordon_Banks). Some names may require abbreviations like those seen on custom vanity license plates. Your bike's name or your CB handle: (CRIMSON RIDE) Two first names (GORDON&MINA) A service reminder (CH_OIL_@_15K) or (CH_OIL@1...) A special or emergency phone number (012-345-6789) Anniversary or birthday reminder (ANV_01/01/01) Or anything you want that will fit onto a 12-character line!
Once again, I want to give thanks to the GL1800 pioneers like Gordon Banks that took the time to put material like this together.
Also, be warned. Do not let anyone try and convince you that there is an un-documented remote starting feature on the GL1800. Someone started this rumor in the fall of 2004 and I can still hear the GL1800 horns honking across America as folks tried to go through the involved make-believe process.
If any questions come up,
contact me.