I had my Bike Loaded with my stuff for a ride over Tioga Pass Headed for Lee Vining and up Hwy 395 to Carson City to see the Train Museum. Went to shut the bike off and the Starter keep running. Well I got it shut off but then it would not start. I ordered new relay's from Cycle Max and a used starter from Southern California. Got the new starter in and still nothing, it turned out to be the B relay but I replaced them both. The B relay is the one closer to the front of the bike, the one back at the Battery is the A relay and I think it controls the reverse. I might be wrong but I bought both so might as well put them on. My bike is a 1993 with 162,000 miles on it and I think that was the original starter. I'm the guy that was complain about Honda putting the starter and Alt on the back of the motor when I changed the motor 2 years ago. I guess it get's easier if you do it a few times. Well next Monday I'll pack it up and try my trip again the bike is running good and start's right up. I think my old starter needs new brushes and a good cleaning so I will rebuild it and keep it for a spare. If it was not for this Site and Goldwing Doc's I would not know how to fix this stuff and I want to say a big Thank You to everyone who write's stuff on here. It keeps these old bike's running and running. Thank You!
I'ld rebuild my OEM and put it back in, keep the used unknown as a spare, rebuild it later maybe.
At the very least, I'd open up the unknown and go through it before putting it on my bike to maybe leave me stranded … & … leave my OEM in place for now since it works.
Crystal Pistol you are right but the one I put on is an OEM and according to the guy the bike only had 40,000 miles on it. It's a crap shoot either way, I will rebuilt my old one and then go from there. As a side note seems every used part I buy off the web only has 40,000 miles on it. LOL
I had my Bike Loaded with my stuff for a ride over Tioga Pass Headed for Lee Vining and up Hwy 395 to Carson City to see the Train Museum. Went to shut the bike off and the Starter keep running. Well I got it shut off but then it would not start. I ordered new relay's from Cycle Max and a used starter from Southern California. Got the new starter in and still nothing, it turned out to be the B relay but I replaced them both.
That was caused by the relay A stuck in the closed position (not the relay B).....!!
The B relay is the one closer to the front of the bike, the one back at the Battery is the A relay and I think it controls the reverse.
You are correct on the locations of the relays. The relay A does control the reverse, it also powers and triggers the relay B.
I seriously doubt that relay B was your problem.....!!
Been riding and wrenching on GL1500's 26 years and haven't came across a relay B failure yet. Its usually always the relay A....!!!!
I might be wrong but I bought both so might as well put them on. My bike is a 1993 with 162,000 miles on it and I think that was the original starter.
The GL1500 starters last a long time (miles). My '99 with 222k miles still has the OEM starter. While doing some other mAintenance on a 1989 Gold Wing with 200k miles, we removed the starter to check it out. The brushes were still only about half worn down but we did replace them. All else was good with the starter.
I am wondering why you was worried about the starter motor based on the symptoms involved....!!
I'm the guy that was complain about Honda putting the starter and Alt on the back of the motor when I changed the motor 2 years ago. I guess it get's easier if you do it a few times. Well next Monday I'll pack it up and try my trip again the bike is running good and start's right up. I think my old starter needs new brushes and a good cleaning so I will rebuild it and keep it for a spare. If it was not for this Site and Goldwing Doc's I would not know how to fix this stuff and I want to say a big Thank You to everyone who write's stuff on here. It keeps these old bike's running and running. Thank You!
And if it was used for reverse a lot where it had to power up a hill that is a LOT of hard used for a starter designed to crank and engine for a couple seconds.
The GL1500 starters last a long time (miles). My '99 with 222k miles still has the OEM starter. While doing some other mAintenance on a 1989 Gold Wing with 200k miles, we removed the starter to check it out. The brushes were still only about half worn down but we did replace them. All else was good with the starter.
I hardly ever use reverse on mine, being a trike it's just so easy to push if need be. I do try to plan my parking to incorporate a drift backwards either getting parked, or when getting out later.
Sometimes, I'll pick a section of several spaces wide, pull in and whip a U-turn, grab front brake, and as front forks rebound release brake and she rolls backwards from momentum alone.
The "wear and tear" on the starter motor is significantly less using reverse than cranking the engine, in reverse the starter runs at a much reduced voltage and speed, and unless you are backing up a good grade, not much of a load on the motor either.
I'm thinking Monday Morning leaving again on my trip. CWN I'll be looking for you! We are hitting 102 everyday for the last week, so early morning start to get out of the Valley. Were like Zombie's here only go out after dark, too hot in the day time. Also Yosemite is no fun in the summer, traffic is so bad. You just sit in a line of cars for hours. I don't use the reverse much now and then if I park some where and need a little help. I rode to long with out it.
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