Tough to start

[Tomboy]

I have a similar problem with my '96 GL1500 but it seems to be chronic. I live in a warmer sub-tropical climate, even though it gets chilly in winter we don't have snow or ice so we can still ride.

Sadly a lot of really wet weather and flooding has impeded my riding lately so the trike has been sitting idle for a long time. The last couple of times we've had a fine day, I've gone out to have a ride I've ended up walking back inside after having been defeated by a non-firing motor...or a dodgey ignition switch

I think I have 2 issues...first being the same continual cranking but no fire. If I have enough battery charge and patience I can sit there cranking it over for ages until it finally fires.

The 2nd issue is every now and then I will turn the ignition key to "on" but I get nothing! No dash lights and no power getting through to anything. That would HAVE to be the ignition switch itself wouldn't it? (I know that's a dumb question but this is the first wing I've owned and was wondering if it's a common issue).

I started it on Wednesday after a lot of cranking and thought I'd be right for a ride this weekend, but I copped a double whammy when I went out to the garage this morning. The trike wouldn't fire first up and I flattened the battery trying, so set it on the charger. I finally got it started on the 2nd attempt so I ran it for a while and got her out of the shed and went to get my riding gear, so switched it off. When I was ready to go, the ignition wouldn't deliver any power to the trike/dash at all...didn't go for my ride, pushed it back in the shed and gave up!

 

[exphoneman]

Anyone else have a hard time starting the 1500 Goldwing after a long winter nap. Been on a tender all winter. Battery 1 year old. Craks but no fire. Does it every year. Once started, good all year. Any secret way to do it?

John the 1500 has a vacum controled fuel shut off valve. Look in front the fuel cap area . you will see fuel line in and out and vacum line. Remove the vacum line and apply vacum to the valve . this will allow fuel to flow I have seen this done sveral times and it started imediately Exphoneman

 

[John Luciano]

Not a real big deal. I hook a jumper battery. I hit the starter for 5 sec. Wait Do it again wait and full choke and if the battery is still full charge it fires up. Good idea sucking on the vac line.

 

[Brewster]

Mine, like Cams, used to start just like yours after sitting all winter. After the initial start, I would not have another problem all riding season. Had the carbs rebuilt 2 times and that didn't help. You just have to live with it. They are a good bike.

 

[John Luciano]

Went out and used a jumper battery. Started after 3 attempts. The battery was almost empty. The trickle charger boiled it dry. Filled it back up, and imam charging it. Will invest in a new battery in the spring. ( 4 weeks) going out now to see if it will start on its own.