Reverse not always engaging

[farmer148]

I have 2016 goldwing I been having problems with getting the reverse to engage. After trying 2 to 3 attempts it finally will engage and after that it work fine while I using it. It tries to work but doesn’t. It appears to be a mechanical problem. Not a electrical problem

[bstig60]

check the cable adjustment

[GoldWingrGreg]

Do you still have warranty ???

The reason I ask is that I'm sure your reverse cables need adjusting to correct your issue. However, many Wings that came from Japan have a reverse neutral cable with a sized turn buckle. That means that one of your cables is none adjustable because it's turn buckle is seized and that is a warrantable condition. Basically if the adjuster barrel cannot be free, that cable has to be replaced.

To tell, remove the right engine cover. See the 2 cables ??? Do this to both, but the top one is the neutral cable. Try loosening the cinch nut, and see if the turnbuckle is seized. Be very careful, it does not take much to break the adjuster barrel. If it breaks, it is then not warrantable.

[farmer148]

Thanks for the reply. I have no warranty I know of. Bought it used with 10,000 miles on it. I will check it out and see what I come up with. Never worked with anything like this before and from what I understand it works off the starter.

[farmer148]

I got into it and checked it out. I readjusted the cables. they were over tightened According to the specs they are to be adjusted to. And also sprayed some wd 40 on the mechanism. In time I will know if that fixed it. For right now it’s working like it’s supposed to.
Thanks for the replies.

[bstig60]

Good job! However, instead of WD40, use some silicone lubricant.

[farmer148]

I was eventually thinking of using something different but it’s what I had in the motorhome. I am traveling In the south for the winter months. I’m at a rustic campground using a generator for power.

[cihilb]

Good job! However, instead of WD40, use some silicone lubricant.

My 2012 was doing the same thing. Sprayed it with some silicone lube and that fixed it.

[GoldWingrGreg]

I got into it and checked it out. I readjusted the cables. they were over tightened According to the specs they are to be adjusted to. And also sprayed some wd 40 on the mechanism. In time I will know if that fixed it. For right now it’s working like it’s supposed to.
Thanks for the replies.

Sorry to be the one to carry this message, but that area needs to stay clean and dry. Honda does show grease is needed in very specific, contact areas, but spraying anything in that area will collect road dirt and make a mess. Here is one that came in after he'd put miles on his after spraying it too. The reverse rod area should be treated as if it is carb linkage.

If you expand that picture, at first it looks like this Wing has an oil leak.

[newday777]

I got into it and checked it out. I readjusted the cables. they were over tightened According to the specs they are to be adjusted to. And also sprayed some wd 40 on the mechanism. In time I will know if that fixed it. For right now it’s working like it’s supposed to.
Thanks for the replies.

Sorry to be the one to carry this message, but that area needs to stay clean and dry. Honda does show grease is needed in very specific, contact areas, but spraying anything in that area will collect road dirt and make a mess. Here is one that came in after he'd put miles on his after spraying it too. The reverse rod area should be treated as if it is carb linkage.

If you expand that picture, at first it looks like this Wing has an oil leak.

What is the recommended way to lube it then????

[GoldWingrGreg]

Unfortunately it is a challenging, tedious, time consuming process of removing all the external parts on the reverse shift shaft that sticks out of the back of the engine. The contact points between parts 11 and 12, 10 and 9, need lubed with MolyKote. When I do it, it takes a couple of hours.

https://www.mrcycles.com/oemparts/a/hon ... verse-gear

[farmer148]

For the most part I was trouble shooting of why it didn’t work properly. Not knowing anything about I was hoping I didn’t have to pull a starter or doing something that was time consuming to repair it. If it comes to dry lubrication I would probably spray on graphite, the same stuff on use on my planter seed meters which won’t attract dirt.

[gringgo]

Anytime I have an issue with a switch not engaging as intended, I use my Electrical Contact Cleaner spray as a first step. To this date, all switch issues on my 2008 have been resolved using the spray and working the switch after spraying.

[murr57]

When my reverse doesn't engage, about once every 4 or 5 times I use it, I rock the bike back and forth slightly, and the next time I depress the button it always engages. I have spoken to others that also experience the same.

[newday777]

When my reverse doesn't engage, about once every 4 or 5 times I use it, I rock the bike back and forth slightly, and the next time I depress the button it always engages. I have spoken to others that also experience the same.

The cables need adjustment

[murr57]

Interestingly, it was my dealer who told me this trick after I complained about the problem and he adjusted the cables. Although it happens less frequently,
I still occasionally have to give it a slight rock to fully engage. My bike is 16 years old and they do develop their little quirks I suppose.

[Defender]

I’m not sure if this is the proper thread to ask a question about my problem?
Once I depress the reverse button, the light comes on. When I push the starter button, the bike lurches backward and then the light goes out. It does this every time I attempt the process.
Joel
2002 gl1800 abs
91k

[newday777]

I’m not sure if this is the proper thread to ask a question about my problem?
Once I depress the reverse button, the light comes on. When I push the starter button, the bike lurches backward and then the light goes out. It does this every time I attempt the process.
Joel
2002 gl1800 abs
91k

Yes correct forum section.
But as your situation sounds a little different than the original so you should really start a "new topic"(button at the top) rather than adding a reply to this post. (So confusion is added and others don't reply just reading the original post.... as they don't read through the replies and miss your question)

"Lurched backwards and light goes out" needs clarifying...... As it doesn't give enough information to get a good diagnosis answer.
In your new topic, does it moves backwards and continues to move or stops moving after movement backwards?????