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1988 GL1500 reverse problem

1471 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  ThFireman, 
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Ever since I had my 1988 GL1500 triked, my reverse will not stay working. It will lunge then quit, then lunge again. It happens about 2 or 3 times, then quits. I have called 5 Honda shops, and according to them, I am the only guy in America with this problem. I bought a Clymer shop manual and have gone over all the electrics yesterday. I already replaced starter solenoid A, to no avail. I have checked and cleaned all the pull apart electrical connections. The reverse relay checks out fine. That is what it seems like is happening, a relay working and then quitting. By the way, after it quits, I have to move the reverse handle down to neutral and then back to reverse again, for the next 2 or 3 lunges. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hoots
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[align=center]Welcome to the forum Hoots :waving:.

Are the brakes binding? The reverse relay will cut out if the load on the motor is too heavy, so either there is a drag somewhere or the relay is just gone faulty. If you try and push the bike backwards, will it push easily or is a real pig, like the brakes sticking? You didn't say what trike kit you have, but some use a handbrake and iof the adjuster is too far out at the rotor end it will drag enough to trip the relay.[/align]
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Thanks for the reply, at least I know someone reads these posts. The trike kit is made by Motortrike, and installed at a motortrike dealership. I have drum brakes on it, and they are hydraulic, not cable type. The bike rolls freely while in neutral. Keep the ideas coming my way, or any other questions I can answer.

Thanks:

Hoots
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exavid
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At least a trike is easier to push backwards, you don't have to hold it up!
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GWEddie
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Yeah, welcome to the board Hoots. I can't see the gearing causing this. The Motortrike conversions have been around a while and this never reared it's head to my knowledge.
If the relay is definitely okay, the next clue is the lever. You say that when you move t down and up again it works. Sounds to me like the actual reverse switch is faulty. The one that usually goes is the reverse switch under the right side panel (near the dipstick). Unscrew it and clean it up and see if that helps. Getting the part number for this switch is not easy, we've seen this before.
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Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure its not the gearing as it is very close to what was original. As far as the reverse switch, I took it out, cleaned it in solution, made sure it was testing ok, per cylmer shop manual, and put it back in, with no change. It is hard to get parts for this GL, no one stocks anything. Everything is special order and takes days to receive. Thanks for all the replies.

Hoots
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Allen
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Hi Hoots,

I can't help you with your problem, but is sure nice to know that I am not alone with this.

Checked everything as you did, mechanics have checked everything, can't find the reason why it does it.

Frustrating at times when you have to engage reverse several times just to back up the driveway into the garage and you are only going 15 -20 feet!!!!!

Just thought I'd let you know that you are noy the only one. Honda shops all over the place say they have have never encountered anything like this.

Allen
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Thanks for the reply. Now I don't feel alone. I was told i'm the only guy in America with this problem. I had it in shops here at home in Pa. and also California where I had the carbs rebuilt. No one has had this problem ever. I can assure you of one thing, somehow, someway, I will find this problem, and I will post the solution. I would feel good if I could help you out as well.

Hoots
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JDuggan
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Hoots, what about the switch on the lever side? I'd pull the shelter panel off and have a close look at what's happening when you wiggle the lever.
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Already done that Joe. The lever when moved to reverse position, moves a microswitch lever, pushing the switch in totally............by the way, since I made my first post last week, it has gotten worse now........I use to be able to get a couple of lunges out of it before it stopped, now it will only go once maybe twice at most..........thanks for the reply

Hoots
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FitzAl
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When you say the "reverse relay checks out fine", did you try another relay just in case? It really sounds like the relay is cutting out. If the relay is okay, then it mightbe worth bypassing the handlebar reverse switch just in case the switch is faulty.
I've only heard of this problem once before and it was the handlebar switch that was faulty (burned contacts), so bypassing it might be worth trying. These swtiches can give problems, a few forum members here have experienced them sticking while reversing and they had to turn off the ignition to stop the bike reversing.
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ThFireman
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Hoots, It has been years since you had this reverse problem. Did you ever get it fixed and if so what was the problem? Mine reverses for about 4-5 seconds then stops. I have to lower the lever then pull it up again then push the button for 5 more seconds... :(
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