TG Reverse motor went out at 21,000 miles!

Oct 11, 2017
258
169
Somewhere,Texas USA
Got back from a few days at the coast here in Texas (Corpus Christi)............when I got back and put the TG in reverse = it rolled a couple of feet and just quit workin'!!!

...Yes, I checked the red button and little lever fuse (wasn't blown) and all I got was a "Click" sound when I hit reverse........Wife didn't like pushing TG in reverse when needed (didn't bother me so much (Giggle) ) and demanded an immediate trip to the HD Dealer for a fix!

...So, just got it back from dealer and sure enough the reverse motor had burnt out or whatever (who knows why)...........This is on my 2016 TG and was fully covered by warranty.

.......If it hadn't been for warranty it would have cost me $1395.00 and .7hrs labor...plus tax of course!

..........Wow what a rip cost for just a lousy reverse motor (small starter motor)

...............Don't know why I'm posting this.........guess it was just because I was "AGASP!" at what these things cost! :sneakydevil:

Cheers!
 
Got back from a few days at the coast here in Texas (Corpus Christi)............when I got back and put the TG in reverse = it rolled a couple of feet and just quit workin'!!!

...Yes, I checked the red button and little lever fuse (wasn't blown) and all I got was a "Click" sound when I hit reverse........Wife didn't like pushing TG in reverse when needed (didn't bother me so much (Giggle) ) and demanded an immediate trip to the HD Dealer for a fix!

...So, just got it back from dealer and sure enough the reverse motor had burnt out or whatever (who knows why)...........This is on my 2016 TG and was fully covered by warranty.

.......If it hadn't been for warranty it would have cost me $1395.00 and .7hrs labor...plus tax of course!

..........Wow what a rip cost for just a lousy reverse motor (small starter motor)

...............Don't know why I'm posting this.........guess it was just because I was "AGASP!" at what these things cost! :sneakydevil:

Cheers!

When mine went out and out of warranty i put in a mechanical reverse, 2011 Tri. And i really do miss having it in my 2017...

By the way the reverse motor is not a starter motor....Its a high toque slow spinning [geared down] Electric motor...
 
When mine went out and out of warranty i put in a mechanical reverse, 2011 Tri. And i really do miss having it in my 2017...

By the way the reverse motor is not a starter motor....Its a high toque slow spinning [geared down] Electric motor...

.........Well maybe it aint' a starter motor, but it sure looked like one to me!......kinda sounds like one too.

Cheers!
 
I think you did this all wrong.Shoulda found a way to convince your wife that pushing the trike has some positive benefit for her.Save the baby electrons. Help the environment by not depleting the ozone layer.And always the winner:hey it's good excersise.
 
When mine went out and out of warranty i put in a mechanical reverse, 2011 Tri. And i really do miss having it in my 2017...

By the way the reverse motor is not a starter motor....Its a high toque slow spinning [geared down] Electric motor...

Hey Bob, read this

The Harley Davidson Tri Glide Reverse motor is basically an automotive starter with a specially developed drive end assembly that contains 2 planetary gear assemblies. Planetary gears have been used by many different manufactures over the years as a reliable method to convert high speed electric motors into usable torque. In this case, HD has used the twin planetary set up to provide a handy low speed motor with plenty of power to move an entire vehicle (in reverse) with passengers.

I am going to figure this motor out, there has to be a cross over some where

U can bet the HD engineers did NOT come up with this, they farmed it out I bet;)

 
Hey Bob, read this

The Harley Davidson Tri Glide Reverse motor is basically an automotive starter with a specially developed drive end assembly that contains 2 planetary gear assemblies. Planetary gears have been used by many different manufactures over the years as a reliable method to convert high speed electric motors into usable torque. In this case, HD has used the twin planetary set up to provide a handy low speed motor with plenty of power to move an entire vehicle (in reverse) with passengers.

I am going to figure this motor out, there has to be a cross over some where

U can bet the HD engineers did NOT come up with this, they farmed it out I bet;)


Back a few years ago, As soon as i handed the motor to a rebuilder, [His shop was like walking back into the 50's] He said thats an Hitachi motor.....Now that was like i said a few years ago, They might have changed suppliers...:Shrug:
 
Mine went out at 9000 miles

I have a 2013 I bought used, so no warranty. When I removed it and took it apart, one of the brushes was not making contact. I removed all the white lithium grease and replaced it with high temp bearing grease. It seems to be less noisy and works great.
 
Reply to Coalhandler

Hey coalhandler!

Thats good to know!......when my warranty runs out and reverse goes out again (probably will).....I will remember to look for the brushes as a possible cure!

Thanks!
 
reverse

I have a 2013 I bought used, so no warranty. When I removed it and took it apart, one of the brushes was not making contact. I removed all the white lithium grease and replaced it with high temp bearing grease. It seems to be less noisy and works great.

Does the reverse motor come out from bottom or can you get it out from top. My 2012 Reverse motor Just went south
 
If you search the forum you can find info on the reverse motor. Members have stated places will rebuild it for $100-200. Hopefully, someone will post the info soon.
 
Does the reverse motor come out from bottom or can you get it out from top. My 2012 Reverse motor Just went south

I removed mine 3 times from the bottom,[11 T/G] Remove the right side wheel and pull/unbolt it from that way..The 4th time i just left it in and installed a mechanical reverse...If and when it gos on my 17 T/G It will be replaced with an mechanical...
 
reverse motor

E
Got back from a few days at the coast here in Texas (Corpus Christi)............when I got back and put the TG in reverse = it rolled a couple of feet and just quit workin'!!!

...Yes, I checked the red button and little lever fuse (wasn't blown) and all I got was a "Click" sound when I hit reverse........Wife didn't like pushing TG in reverse when needed (didn't bother me so much (Giggle) ) and demanded an immediate trip to the HD Dealer for a fix!verse

...So, just got it back from dealer and sure enough the reverse motor had burnt out or whatever (who knows why)...........This is on my 2016 TG and was fully covered by warranty.

.......If it hadn't been for warranty it would have cost me $1395.00 and .7hrs labor...plus tax of course!

..........Wow what a rip cost for just a lousy reverse motor (small starter motor)

...............Don't know why I'm posting this.........guess it was just because I was "AGASP!" at what these things cost! :sneakydevil:

Cheers!

KNOCK ON WOOD.......92 thou. On my 2010 trike, never had an issue/reverse motor,

do I use it, YES, but only on occasion.......
 
I have a reverse motor that I'd like to sell.

I couldn't stand the sound of it, makes everybody within 50 feet look to see what's the matter...or the way it makes the trike jump back when you use it.

I got the mechanical reverse gear from Papa Zook. What a pleasure to use.

Make me an offer...
 
There is a electrical shop not far from where I live that rebuilds elec motors. I am sure should mine go belly up they will rebuild it for me Vs buying a new one.

I have had them do a alternator for me off my truck, good work fair price.

If I keep this bike I may look into a mechanical reverse, time will tell.
 
Reverse motor

Is it still available? if so Call me @540-847-7451

I have a reverse motor that I'd like to sell.

I couldn't stand the sound of it, makes everybody within 50 feet look to see what's the matter...or the way it makes the trike jump back when you use it.

I got the mechanical reverse gear from Papa Zook. What a pleasure to use.

Make me an offer...
 
I think you did this all wrong.Shoulda found a way to convince your wife that pushing the trike has some positive benefit for her.Save the baby electrons. Help the environment by not depleting the ozone layer.And always the winner:hey it's good excersise.

Kitty ,would have put knots on his head,before pushin him
 
Did you get your old farts pass for all the Nat'l Parks ??:laugh::D

The Senior Pass is a must do for us old guys that camp. Last year 2 of us stayed at NFS park right on the lake with electricity, water, grill and improved tent pads. $12. Unbelievable deal. And I left my cell phone I discovered 80 miles down the road in another state. I called the campground with my friends phone, they said they would look for it and call them back in 15 minutes. I did, Park Ranger found it and met me half way at the state line. How awesome was that? Great folks and the Senior Pass is a great deal. 1/2 price plus other free cg benefits.
 
reply to PosseRider

Yes, I have my old farts' pass.......BUT, when we went to see that "Crazy Horse partial statue" near Mt. Rushmore they get around the pass by charging 14 Bucks to park your motorcycle!!!!!! = major rip! (no Senior discount either)

.....at Mt. Rushmore just down the street, they too just charged for parking, but the dude gave me A SENIOR DISCOUNT for being over 63 and it only cost me 5 bucks to park!

....I guess these 2 parks are state parks and not federal?............ Whatever.

Cheers!
 
My buddy sent his reverse motor to a rebuilder for right around $100. He said it was pretty easy to change out and took him about an hour.
 
Reverse Motor Failure

Got back from a few days at the coast here in Texas (Corpus Christi)............when I got back and put the TG in reverse = it rolled a couple of feet and just quit workin'!!!

...Yes, I checked the red button and little lever fuse (wasn't blown) and all I got was a "Click" sound when I hit reverse........Wife didn't like pushing TG in reverse when needed (didn't bother me so much (Giggle) ) and demanded an immediate trip to the HD Dealer for a fix!

...So, just got it back from dealer and sure enough the reverse motor had burnt out or whatever (who knows why)...........This is on my 2016 TG and was fully covered by warranty.

.......If it hadn't been for warranty it would have cost me $1395.00 and .7hrs labor...plus tax of course!

..........Wow what a rip cost for just a lousy reverse motor (small starter motor)

...............Don't know why I'm posting this.........guess it was just because I was "AGASP!" at what these things cost! :sneakydevil:

Cheers!

I responded too another post on this issue earlier. My 14 TriGlide has had Two reverse motors replaced and after hardly using them at all. Seems as if they failed on flat surfaces ( backing out of my garage ). You are correct that price seems ridiculously astronomical and it sure shocked me when I saw it on the invoice. ( thank goodness for Extended Warranty )
 

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