Eck

Just a follow up here for those reading this thread: Been on the phone with Sam a few times already and sent him some tech info/ instructions accompanied with photos last night. His reply was it was getting late and he will look at it tomorrow (which is now today). I received an email from Sam telling me that the articles I sent him that he can not open them on his Ipad, and he said he sent them to his wife's MAC in hopes she can open them. I then re-sent the same articles but in a PDF file in hopes he can open them that way. I also contacted one of the best of the best GW mechanics on the planet and he said he feels it is stuck in reverse, not first gear..He gave his suggestion of having someone sit on the trike and pull in the clutch, and have another rock the bike back and forth, as the one on the bike pulls up and pushes down on the shifter working it up & down with clutch pulled in.. Am waiting for Sam's reply now to see if this worked. Will report results when I get them. Eck

Mike, I think your Clutch switch is dirty and acting up: Try this simple fix first.. Turn the small round chrome clutch lever adjust setting knob all the way from #1 to #2 or #3, 4 or to #5 setting to see if you can start it in first gear. If by changing the clutch lever setting does correct the issue, then the next temporary fix is to remove the clutch switch, only one screw holding it in place, spray some electrical cleaner /lube inside then re install to see if it works, if that fixed it order a new switch because it probably won't last long. You can take the clutch switch off and slot the mounting hole so that the clutch lever would let the switch operate completely. (Makes it more adjustable in other words). You can also easily test the switch after cleaning it by taking it off the bike and closing the switch (wire it closed) and then test it to see it the bike will start. The permanent fix would be to replace the switch SWITCH ASSY., CLUTCH 35330-MB0-003 $10.60

This is my therapy....Some weeks I get a little more or less but it is the best therapy I can find.

@Cowpuc, so was it a stuck reverse switch and did he get the switch unstuck and bike into neutral?

Just had a friend killed Saturday in Summerville,Al. He was on his way to a charity ride, and was turning in to the parking lot where everyone was meeting up for this ride. Those attending this charity ride were all in the parking lot when she hit him and many of them watched it unfold as they heard the sounds of metal crunching and tires screeching. I see the attached article states she will NOT be charged, yet she hit him from the rear???? ( That just don't make sense to me) http://whnt.com/2016/03/22/motorcyclist-dies-after-being-hit-by-car-on-way-to-charity-ride/

Anyone know if Sam got his reverse switch unstuck & bike out of 1st gear yet? (I'm on pins and needles hopeing it is/was a stuck reverse switch)...

Goldwings can not start with the reverse switch light blinking. Just cant happen..

@Cowpuc, Please see my response in the link posted in post #1 above. Click on the link and page down to see my response...His reverse switch has to be stuck.

The good thing is that it does not have to be motorcycle related.. Anything one has that can be offered up to auction off would be great. ...Heck, even an in-law....

@CowPuc, Have your friend turn the key on and then holding a screwdriver "by the shank" have him continually "rap/ tap", "lightly now" on the reverse switch until the reverse light goes off. He must do this "slowly" to give the switch time to release, and the neutral green light to come on. So in other words, rap/tap the switch and wait a couple seconds, then rap / tap it again and wait keeping an eye on the green neutral switch light to come on. Once it comes on, he can now get it out of first gear. NOTE: He will never be able to get the bike out of first gear until reverse switch light quits blinking and the green neutral light comes on. It definitely sounds like the reverse switch is stuck. I have had to remove my switch and take it completely apart to get it to work again. It is a very well known problem on Goldwing's. (reverse and the 4 way switches always stick). Once the reverse light stops blinking, then he must first pull up on the shifter to get it into neutral (one click upward). When "and only when", the reverse light quits blinking and the neutral light comes on (Green light) can he get it out of gear. The bike MUST BE in neutral (green light on), before he can put it into reverse. There is a trick one can do on a Goldwing where they can put the bike in neutral, push in on the neutral switch, and then shut the key off. This is a safe way to lock up a Goldwing so no one can push it out of a parking lot to steel it. I am 100% certain his reverse switch is stuck.... Wish I was there to help him bud.. Eck

Mineral oil would most likely work also. I don't see why not. We need someone here to test it on the plastic of a 1st gen since those 1st gens are supposed to be first in everything............

Well in all honesty, I did use peanut butter as it was "strongly" suggested on the site here: See post # 19 and post #23 (Both posts by Sho Greg) Then see my post (#26) with the same concerns about the peanut butter smell and animals.. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?51553-make-that-old-plastic-dash-etc-look-new/page2&highlight=peanut+butter Anyway, I had my doubts about using peanut butter but by golly I did try it and it does clean it up very well. As he said, don't leave it on there. Put it on and polish it off. I put my nose on it and I can NOT smell peanut butter..and yes, I know animals have a very keen sense of smell, but time will tell I guess. I am very happy with the results (so far). Would hate to walk out into the garage and see a family of rodents eating away at the plastic though... @cowpuc, I too use peanut butter on mouse traps and have done so for many years. It is the only thing i would put on a mouse trap to catch one of those critters..

It should remove it... Our dishwasher removes it. I eat PB once or twice a month.

Thanks...Correction has been made to Skippy...Im sure it doesn't matter what type, and I don't think you even need Peanut butter..I think just plain canola cooking oil would do the same trick. Yea, you go ahead and use that chunky type and tell me how it works..and use day old bread while your at it..

Sounds just like yesterday... My dad wired houses as a 2nd job. After he got home from his 1st full time job, and had dinner, he would have me get in his GMC panel van and off we would go to do wiring on an old house, or maybe a new one I never knew until we arrived. I saw my dad many times touch a wire to see if it had electricity. After a few months of watching him and learning the do's and don'ts I began doing the same. I still do it to this day. Once you get used to it you find it really isn't all that bad. When you get shocked in a normal situation you basically never "expect" it and that is why you jump so bad. If you KNOW your about to be shocked, it doesn't effect you near as much. Like many people seem to do, I always test 9 volt batteries on my tongue.

Add a small piece of basic house window screen in the ABS glue Spread the glue on first over / around the repair area surface. Add the piece of screen that fits over BOTH sides of the crack Add a little more glue over the screen using a popsicle stick or a small piece of plastic and push the glue into the screen and smear it over the top of the screen. It sure helps strengthen the repair!!

@Trader, Let me know if that was it please. I like to keep notes on possible fix's that work for certain problems. Thanks Eck

Did you do a LOAD test on the battery yet? If not I would start there even though you said you re-charged it after leaving the key on..

I hope you enjoyed the Rattle Snake Saloon. It is a different type of place and the Taxi ride is a hoot. You just have to hold on if sitting in the bed of the truck.. Sure enjoyed seeing you both again too. Konnie had a great time getting to know Mary and you. Thanks for the tour of the RV and service facility. That place is huge! Have a safe trip going back home. Eck & Konnie

@Venture n Dixie, Hey, I am sorry I can not help you on your 1st gen. Many know me here and they also know that from all the M&E's and MD's that I have never touched a 1st gen and I don't know anything about them. I have always shied away from them for some reason and have let those who do know about them help other with the maintenance or repairs. No I might could change a set of brake pads but that's about it. There are many folks here who can help you with your 1st gen and I'm sure they would enjoy the chance of helping another VR family member. Just post any question you may have or ask for someone who knows about 1st gen's to come to your place and help you. Again, Sorry I cant be of much help with it. Eck

Squeeze clutch lever and loosen clutch bleeder at same time, then tighten the bleeder BEFORE you let off the clutch lever... Do this only once and then see if it works correctly.. Mine did same thing and this is all I had to do.... Bleed it ONCE...but make darn sure you tighten the bleeder before you let off the clutch lever..

Dave was /is his name and he is a pool shark "wanna be".......he ahs been a friend for several years though and even rode up to Freebirds MD one year with me. Had a great time meeting you too and hope next time you come through Huntsville You give ma another shout. I will try to have bknsaddle with me next time so you can meet another VR.O family member. Until then, ride safe!! Eck

I used a dry cloth (never thought to use a damp cloth). After spreading it out somewhat evenly, and rubbing it in, I then used another clean cloth/ hand towel to wipe off the excess and sort of "polished" it. (it took a little elbow grease I might add....) I have no idea how long it will last under "mother natures rath", and I even I told my wife earlier, that I bet once I go through a car wash it comes off and I will be back to the same old discolored plastic. I must say it does look rather fantastic in plain view.. and I now know what I would do if I ever wanted to sell it... How about giving me a month or so Don and I can report back to you as to how it actually "held up" under the environments and get back with you so that you don't go through this exercise for nothing like I may have? I would think that being the peanut butter has vegetable oil in it that regular canola /cooking oil would do the same darn thing without the peanut butter smell. The peanuts cant do much / if anything in my opinion.