ikes are in very close proximity. But if that’sthe case, it’s quite normal.Stu’91 Gold <strong>Wing</strong> SEStu, there was an article in <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>World</strong> afew months back that talked about what <strong>to</strong> do<strong>to</strong> get the but<strong>to</strong>ns on the handle bars <strong>to</strong> keepthem from sticking. For example, the cautionbut<strong>to</strong>n, cruse but<strong>to</strong>n. What was your recommendationon that? Any particular spray/cleaner?Thanks.Via email, Russell DrollingerRussell, my recommendation is <strong>to</strong> lube thehandlebar switch but<strong>to</strong>ns with aerosol siliconelube at each oil change. But<strong>to</strong>ns used frequentlyshouldn’t need this service, but thoseused infrequently such as the hazard lightswitch will definitely benefit.Stu2002 Gold <strong>Wing</strong> Won’t StartStu, I have a 2002 GL1800 with over250,000 miles on it. Recently, the followingproblem has been occurring: After it has sa<strong>to</strong>vernight, it doesn’t want <strong>to</strong> start. It will turnover and over but won’t start. Then it will startand do great for a few weeks, then it happensagain.It has always been at home, so I’ve beenlucky. Please tell us what <strong>to</strong> look for.ThanksBill New<strong>to</strong>nGWRRA #178472Springfield, KentuckyBill, with only the information supplied, myfirst inclination would be <strong>to</strong> examine the battery.Considering that temperatures nationwidehave fallen recently, your recent discovery<strong>of</strong> the problem points <strong>to</strong> a weak battery. Aweakened battery will spin the GL1800 overjust fine, but the voltage during cranking willdrop <strong>to</strong> a level insufficient <strong>to</strong> keep the fuelinjection relay closed. The symp<strong>to</strong>m will worsenin cool weather due <strong>to</strong> a natural reductionin battery performance and thickened oil.StuTwo Issues...One a Nuisance,One Safety-RelatedHey Stu, I’ve learned a lot from reading yourcolumns over the years, but I’ve never seenthese two <strong>issue</strong>s addressed. The first is what Iwould call a “nuisance <strong>issue</strong>”, and the secondis <strong>of</strong> a more serious, safety-related nature, as itaffects my tail lights and instruments. Both <strong>of</strong>these problems are on my ’93 Aspencade with85,000 miles.The “nuisance <strong>issue</strong>” is what started as abalky OD dash light when shifting in<strong>to</strong> fifthgear. Sometimes it would come on. Othertimes it would come on after riding in fifth fora while then, finally, it s<strong>to</strong>pped working al<strong>to</strong>gether.I checked the resistance reading at the connec<strong>to</strong>rbehind the right fairing, as per the shopmanual. I got an ohms reading for each gearbut, frankly, don’t remember what they were.(That was last winter, and I just enjoyed ridingit without the light.)I thought that it might be a stickingplunger-type switch that needed some WD-40until I read the manual. Any suggestions? Ifneed be, this winter I’ll remove the water pumpand front cover <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong> the switch.The second problem is the main/tail relay.The original failed around 50,000 miles. Nobig deal. Back then the dealer had them ins<strong>to</strong>ck.Everything worked fine for all <strong>of</strong> theseyears and miles then it failed again. They areno longer s<strong>to</strong>cked so, after the two-week waitand $30 cost, I installed the new relay. It lastedabout two hours!I recently saw in print that the 1500s had“relay problems”. I had never heard this beforebut, clearly, I have a relay problem!Any ideas, comments, or suggestions?Have you run across anything like this?Dave CowgillGWRRA #132946Clay<strong>to</strong>n, DelawareDave, I agree with your proposed actionregarding the gear selec<strong>to</strong>r switch. Regardingthe relay, your problem may not be with therelay but with the electrical load <strong>to</strong> which it’sbeing subjected. Addition <strong>of</strong> lights or otherelectrical accessories could overload the relayand reduce its service life. A short circuit couldrender it useless quite quickly, but that conditionshould cause a fuse <strong>to</strong> pop before damageoccurs. Insure that none <strong>of</strong> your bike’s fuseshave been replaced with ones <strong>of</strong> higher thanstandard capacity.StuWhich Gold <strong>Wing</strong> Seat?Stu I just purchased a Gold <strong>Wing</strong> andwanted <strong>to</strong> see what seat is most liked—s<strong>to</strong>ck,Ultimate seat, or Corbin?Via email, Ken CatesKen, there’s a butt for every seat. And itseems there’s a seat for every butt. Many wouldlike a mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle seat <strong>to</strong> provide the kind <strong>of</strong>long-term comfort <strong>of</strong>fered by the best car seats.But those things are much larger and thickerthan would be possible <strong>to</strong> mount on a mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle.Bear in mind, one couldn’t even sit inhis/her favorite easy chair for ten hours a daywithout experiencing some discomfort. Thingssuch as arm length, body weight and shape,inseam dimensions, the rider’s posture, and thebike’s ergonomics play a role in how comfortableany seat feels <strong>to</strong> a particular rider in thelong term. So what’s comfortable for me (or40 <strong>Wing</strong> <strong>World</strong>
Mo<strong>to</strong>r Trike State <strong>of</strong> the Union MessageThere seems <strong>to</strong> be a lot <strong>of</strong> information about the economy, both domestic andinternational, on the TV, radio, magazine and your local paper. The dramatic <strong>to</strong>ne<strong>of</strong> their message is not overly optimistic. They seem <strong>to</strong> take small pieces <strong>of</strong>information and turn it in<strong>to</strong> a large Cecil B. DeMille production. I am just real glad theyare not doc<strong>to</strong>rs because if we went <strong>to</strong> go see them with a cold…we’d probably end up atthe Mayo Clinic arriving on a life-flight helicopter.Our point here is real simple. We build <strong>to</strong>ys. They will not change your financialportfolio, make you run faster and/or increase your chances for a promotion.Our <strong>to</strong>ys are about fun, fresh air, great companionship, and being able <strong>to</strong> see andexperience sights and sounds that you won’t get in a car. Our <strong>to</strong>ys have a third wheel soyou can enjoy that ride in comfort without a worry in the world, and look good while youare doing it.Time is the most precious commodity we have. You can always make more money;you cannot replace or earn more time. So enjoy the time you have and start living.If we build a product you might be interested in learning more about, please come seeone <strong>of</strong> our dealers <strong>to</strong>day. You will be amazed at how much more <strong>of</strong> the world is out therefor you <strong>to</strong> see.Experience the Difference
- Page 1: Ways toPack Light& TrailerOptionsMa
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- Page 7 and 8: A WORD FROMYOUR EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR20
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- Page 14 and 15: In Memory of Lesley Kennedy, Intern
- Page 16: A selection of Member-written lette
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- Page 23 and 24: Jesse Schroader
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