headlight adjuster/preload down
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:53 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800 Goldwing Motor Trike conversion
headlight adjuster/preload down
I just bought a 2008 goldwing trike conversion. The fog light switch was not working, so I replaced it with a simple push/pull switch (only because I had to replace the whole panel otherwise, for $603.00!) The fog lights work just fine now; however, the headlight adjuster and the preload 'down' switch have not worked since. None of that wiring was touched; and I've checked everything I can think of, including the relays. Does anybody have any idea what the heck is going on?
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
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07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
Here is link to order in a Honda fog lamp switch. Many people replace the fog lamp switch with ones no made to live outdoors and their replacement will go bad in a short time.
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/08V31-MCA-10008
As for you headlamps not going up/down, and assuming you do not have an air bagger, I'd start by unseating, and inspecting for corrosion the big gray connector under the LF pocket. Is the part #6 missing in the fish below ???
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... -gl1800-06
https://www.partzilla.com/product/honda/08V31-MCA-10008
As for you headlamps not going up/down, and assuming you do not have an air bagger, I'd start by unseating, and inspecting for corrosion the big gray connector under the LF pocket. Is the part #6 missing in the fish below ???
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... -gl1800-06
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:53 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800 Goldwing Motor Trike conversion
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
I appreciate your reply. There are two problems - 1) The switch cannot be bought separately from what I understand. That means in order to get the switch, one must purchase the whole panel. Price in Canada? - $603.00 + tax.
2) The trike kit has air shocks which are inflated by a switch in that panel. Six of the wires in that panel cable have been cut to accommodate the conversion. Having said that, I took some advice that I received from another website, and got the headlight adjust motor to operate by putting a jumper wire in from another source to get power to the control rheostat.
2) The trike kit has air shocks which are inflated by a switch in that panel. Six of the wires in that panel cable have been cut to accommodate the conversion. Having said that, I took some advice that I received from another website, and got the headlight adjust motor to operate by putting a jumper wire in from another source to get power to the control rheostat.
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
Fog lamps are a HondaLine accessory. There were about 55 of them, one of which were adding fog lamps. In Honda's fog lamp kit came a switch. From the factory, the switch panel had a plug where the switch gets fitted when fog lamps are installed. The part number I listed above is for the fog lamps switch all by itself. Honda sells switch all by itself.
It sounds like someone butchered wires to your switch panel
Some trike kits disable the system that adjusts the rear shock; however, it sounds like someone made up their own method.
It sounds like someone butchered wires to your switch panel

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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:53 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800 Goldwing Motor Trike conversion
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
Thanks for the info. I was told by a Honda dealer that separate switches were not available. I'll be checking this out. Never thought of this before, but the fog lights are in the running boards, so it's likely a Motor Trike option, not Honda. Either way I could still use the Honda switch. Regarding the headlight adjuster, didn't realize the engine has to be running for it to work! Go figure. Turning the ignition switch to 'ON' doesn't do it. As well, the deflate solenoid for rear shocks was stuck closed (bike had been parked for two years). Everything working now, I'm a happy guy.
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:18 am
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Motorcycle: 89 GL1500
03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs) - Contact:
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
Most aftermarket light companies either copied or redesigned the fog lamp switch. In either case, the best one to buy is still the Honda one.
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:53 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800 Goldwing Motor Trike conversion
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
Thanks for that; appreciate your post.
- cihilb
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Natrona Hts., PA
- Motorcycle: 2012 Pearl White
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
The foglight switch is not part of the OEM panel. It is added when foglights are installed. As stated above, you can buy the FL switch separately.
Where did you come up with the $600 price? Partzilla shows it for about $190.
SWITCH ASSY., LEVELING
35800-MCA-A61
by Honda
$194.76 2% OFF
$190.19
Where did you come up with the $600 price? Partzilla shows it for about $190.
SWITCH ASSY., LEVELING
35800-MCA-A61
by Honda
$194.76 2% OFF
$190.19
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- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 8:53 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, BC Canada
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800 Goldwing Motor Trike conversion
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
I was told by a Honda dealer that the switch was not available separately, and I had to buy the complete panel, hence the price. Don't forget, I also live in Canada, where everything costs more, and nobody knows why. Thanks for your note.
- cihilb
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:20 pm
- Location: Natrona Hts., PA
- Motorcycle: 2012 Pearl White
Re: headlight adjuster/preload down
You could order it here: https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/a/hon ... r-gl180006
Even with shipping to Canada, it would probably be a lot less than $600. You can contact them to see what the shipping would be.
Even with the exchange rate, I think you will save a lot.