Why don't I have reverse?

[xfootdoc]

Went to put trike into reverse last night after dinner and nothing happened. The reverse light came on and I could hear electrical motor sounds but no gear meshing. It was as though the switch was dead. Trike started fine and all other features seemed to work. The only thing I've done recently was drain and change the coolent last week. Could I have screwed somthig when I pulled the right pocket out to get to the radiator cap? How should I start to track this problem down? All thoughts appreciated........Alan 05 Wing with 09 Motor Trike Kit.

 

[E.T.]

First thing. Harley or Honda. If Honda put it in gear and see if you can drive off. If it shuts off it is probable the kick stand switch came loose. I have the complete shop manuals for the Honda 1800 G/W if you need wire numbers or colors to trace it back...

 

[xfootdoc]

Thanks ET. This is an 05 Gold Wing. The trike drives fine. No engine shut off, so I doubt kick stand switch. If it were a fuse I would suppose I would not see the reverse light come on or hear the electric motor sounds I here but I will check tonight. It's as though someone stole the plastic reverse gear itself. Very different than the problems I've read about in the forum search.

 

[Gold Rush]

Went to put trike into reverse last night after dinner and nothing happened. The reverse light came on and I could hear electrical motor sounds but no gear meshing. It was as though the switch was dead. Trike started fine and all other features seemed to work. The only thing I've done recently was drain and change the coolent last week. Could I have screwed something when I pulled the right pocket out to get to the radiator cap? How should I start to track this problem down? All thoughts appreciated........Alan 05 Wing with 09 Motor Trike Kit.

No I don't think you've cause this problem. This really is a pretty common GL1800 issue. I don't know if the route cause is warn gears in that reverse shifting mechanism or what but I've found if I take the right engine side cover off every once in a while (every other month) and really wash down the two springs toward the rear of the opening (activate and deactivate reverse and you'll see where the movement is) then things seem to work better. If that fails to do the trick there is an adjustment in the service manual for the two reverse actuator control cables. I've never done it so don't know how tricky it is....

Usually if it won't go into reverse I bump it into forward and roll a couple inches then try reverse again. Never has failed the second try..

Hope that helps.

 

[E.T.]

If you need I can scan pages and send to you, with wire colors and wire numbers to trace it back. You can have engine off and put it in reverse to see if relay is putting starter to gears. I use reverse as parking brake...Good luck.
E.T.

 

[xfootdoc]

Tried Gold Rush's idea of bumping into gear and rolling forward and sure enough reverse worked. Then shifted in and out of reverse several times and all is well.......for the moment. I have no idea why it failed to work the day before, maybe it was just tired. Love this trike but it drives me nuts at times. Thanks everybody......Alan

 

[Gold Rush]

Tried Gold Rush's idea of bumping into gear and rolling forward and sure enough reverse worked. Then shifted in and out of reverse several times and all is well.......for the moment. I have no idea why it failed to work the day before, maybe it was just tired. Love this trike but it drives me nuts at times. Thanks everybody......Alan

Glad you got it going Alan!!! You might pick up a can of spray silicone and wash down those springs also. It sure seems to reduce the number of miscues I have.

 

[xfootdoc]

Well reverse is not working again. I went fo a 100 mile ride yesterday life was good. Tried it this morning and nothing. Checked spring action with side cover off and rear spring compresses when reverse switch pushed in then nothing when hitting starter switch. I'll lube the springs tomorrow and see if that helps. I'm not up to the electrical stuff and rather than screw something up I'll take it in. I hate to cave but I know my limits. Thanks for all the suggestions...........Alan

 

[Gold Rush]

Sorry to hear you are still having problems Alan. It's sometime hard to help long distance... If all indication are right and still not motor action then one of the switches still isn't doing it's job.

As you indicated it might be best this time to take it in. Even with a service manual chasing things like this can be real nerve racking... Please post our final outcome.