1st Time Needing a Tow

1st time needing to be towed. Been working on my new to me 2004 CSC cobra trike all winter. I took the trike for its first spring ride and the front brakes started consistent squeak until I applied the brake. I had, a CSC shop give the bike a safety check a couple of months ago and was told the brakes were fine and they flushed and bled the brake lines. Regardless, I changed the front brake pads which were very pitted worn and marred. Note: I did not clean the calipers when I changed the brake pads.

After changing the front pads I took the bike for a test ride for a few blocks - all was well. Today, went out for a ride and got 1/2 mile from home and the trike started dragging, felt like it was bogging down. I got the thing turned around and it froze up, like the brakes were locked front and back. The engine was running strong. I could not roll the bike when in neutral. It would not even work in reverse. The back brake pedal was very compressed - hard to press down.

Called a tow truck and they got the thing on the flat bed via skids under the tires since they wouldn’t turn. They got the trike to my house and the darn thing rolled right off the truck into my garage no problems. Started the engine and pulled forward and reverse - no problems.

My question: where do I start in trying to figure this out. I don’t want to put this thing back on the road if I’m gonna get stranded. Should I clean the front calipers to start? Advice would be appreciated.

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Being both the front and rear locked up you need to look at something in common. I'm not a Honda person, but if you have anti lock brakes that's where I would look first.

See if you can get them to lock up again, take a wrench that fits the brake line on the caliper, when they get stuck loosen the caliper brake line bolt see if it rolls ? I would bet its the brake hoses ?

I'm guessing that you haven't had any of the recalls done for the rear brakes or the secondary master cylinder recall. You need to get in touch with you Honda dealer to check if any of the recalls were done and if not, to do them. And it has no bearing that the Gl1800 is now a trike conversion, the issue is on their end of the trike.

The recall has come about because of contamination in the rear brake system which is also linked to the front brakes. This contamination can cause the brakes to lock up. The most recent recall calls for a flush of the whole rear system as well as replacement of the secondary master cylinder.

It has been suggested (and I tend to agree) that regular flush of old brake fluid has not been done and contamination inside has built up. This will cause the system to malfunction, i.e. locked brake calipers. The brake fluid should be flushed every couple years to keep the system from getting gunked up. I do mine about every 2 years.

On the positive side, the Honda dealer should perform this recall for free.

One thing you can do is click this link and then enter your VIN number and it should show any open recalls. Even if it doesn't show any open recalls, you can still contact your Honda dealer to check their system as well.


Just to add, I am including a PDF copy of the latest recall at the bottom. There have been a couple other threads here discussing this and if there was damage as a result of the recall such the rear trike rotors or calipers, Honda is covering the cost of that as well according to several members here that have experienced the failure.

pwhoever said:

One thing you can do is click this link and then enter your VIN number and it should show any open recalls. Even if it doesn't show any open recalls, you can still contact your Honda dealer to check their system as well.

https://powersports.honda.com/recalls

Just to add, I am including a PDF copy of the latest recall at the bottom. There have been a couple other threads here discussing this and if there was damage as a result of the recall such the rear trike rotors or calipers, Honda is covering the cost of that as well according to several members here that have experienced the failure.

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Hi - I bought the trike the beginning of November ‘24 from a deceased owners family. I did not get any repair documentation. I am assuming the bike sat in storage for years based on the condition. It was triked out in 2015 and only has 27K miles on it.

I am willing to bet that it needs the recall then. Did you run the VIN number through the Powersports Honda link I provided above? And even if no recalls come up, contact your local Honda dealer so he can check the official Honda system to see. Some Honda dealers are not equipped to handle trikes in their shop so you may have to call several to work on getting it in.

And since it most likely sat for awhile, have you changed out any of the fluids on it? The recall which I suspect you are going to need done will take care of the rear brakes. So you will have to flush and refill the front brake system, flush and fill clutch fluid, and drain and refill the coolant. Clutch fluid and brake fluid ideally should be done at least every year or 2 and coolant every 2 to 3 years.

Oops, never mind about question on flushing the brake fluid as you mentioned in original post that you flushed the brake fluid and changed the front brake pads. I assume you checked the rear pads and flushed the fluid for that as well. That still leaves the recall most likely as well as clutch fluid and coolant.

Have you been able to contact a Honda dealer to check their system yet to confirm if all the rear brake recalls have been done?

pwhoever said:

Have you been able to contact a Honda dealer to check their system yet to confirm if all the rear brake recalls have been done?

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I entered my VIN on the Honda power sports web site and got back no recalls required.

No! Call a Honda dealer and have them look it up in their system. The website can help but doesn't always have all the info.

And did you check to see if you have the punch mark that was described in the service bulletin I posted above?

pwhoever said:

No! Call a Honda dealer and have them look it up in their system. The website can help but doesn't always have all the info.

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Just talked to Honda dealership and the recall was remediated in 2016

Ok, good. That eliminates that. I think the advice you got about the return hole on the other forum is the logical next step then.

Wondering if the OP ever resolved his sticking brake issues. My money was also on the brake recall not having been done. I experianced this exact same issue about a month ago on a 2004 Honda Goldwing with a Motor Trike conversion that I took in on consignment. I test drive all bikes and tikes that come in for service, repairs or trike conversions and this trike had no issues at all untill a couple of weeks later when a potential buyer drove it.

The brakes were dragging. I had to break the right rear caliper brake line loose to release the pressure and unlock the brakes. Checked the recall and it had never been done. Got it to the Honda shop and under the recall they replaced the rear master cylinder. Problem solved.

Papa Zook said:

Wondering if the OP ever resolved his sticking brak issues.

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He never updated his thread on the other forum either. He either gave up or got it fixed and didn't give the courtesy of an update.

Good morning all - Had to walk away from the CSC GL1800 due to illness, yes people are still getting COVID. Update on my locked brake issue: I’ve completely disassembled the front calipers including the pistons and cleaned them. Found pitting on multiple pistons both sides, I’m assuming from moisture in the lines. Multiple pistons were very stuck and I had to forcefully remove them. Got everything reassembled but still have spongy rear brakes. I have new front caliper setups (both sides) being delivered this week. I also cleaned the “return” port on the upper master cylinder, it was clogged. - I appreciate all the assistance.

newtrikeroldperson said:

Good morning all - Had to walk away from the CSC GL1800 due to illness, yes people are still getting COVID. Update on my locked brake issue: I’ve completely disassembled the front calipers including the pistons and cleaned them. Found pitting on multiple pistons both sides, I’m assuming from moisture in the lines. Multiple pistons were very stuck and I had to forcefully remove them. Got everything reassemble but still have spongy rear brakes. I have new front caliper setups (both sides) being delivered this week. I also cleaned the “return” port on the upper master cylinder, it was clogged. - I appreciate all the assistance.

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Sorry to hear of your illness, but good to see back.