gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby hotwire » Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:20 pm

Hi,guys, my 85' Aspy has started to do some weird stuff, maybe someone else could point
me in the right direction. At first, the bike would just suddenly quit, like maybe when
coming to the stop sign about two miles from the house, might even backfire thru the
exhaust, but would immediately start back up again, and not do it again for several rides.
But then it would happen again at road speed, lurching and backfiring like a rear firing
cannon, ha, ha! But most always, just leaving it in gear and easing out on the clutch, it
will start to run again, and may not happen for a while.
The other day,after a ride of about 10 miles, I parked at home, the bike sat for about an
hour or more, then wouldn't start. It would crank good, but backfire thru the exhaust,
and not hit. Let it set for a bit longer, and it started right up. After it does this, it may
run good to town, (about 18 miles and back without a hitch. Just don't wanna waste a lot
of time lookin when somebody could help troubleshoot, thanks everyone.

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby WingAdmin » Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:24 pm
Just a thought, but because of the intermittent state of the problem, check the master
(dogbone) fuse for cracks. Don't just look at it, remove it and check its condition. If it's
bad (or even if it's good) you can replace it with a 30-amp fuse holder and blade fuse.

If it is cracked, heat can cause intermittent electrical problems that can manifest
themselves the way you have described.
Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting runningRe: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running
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Postby hotwire » Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:48 pm
Thanks, guys for your input, I have already replaced the original main "dogbone" fuse with
30 amp automotive fuse holder, but some other corrosion or bad connection could be
possible, a good path to follow, maybe. And on the pulse generators, where are they, is
there any way to diagnose them, etc?
 Any foreknowledge on the subject will be greatly appreciated, as I'd like to get some ride
time in this year, it has been so rainy here! And now, my wing is sick, yuk!!! nuff said !

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby rono24 » Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:20 am
The pulse generators set behind the timing belts if you have changed the timing belts also
a good time to do that there is a ohm value for them you can find that on this forum. I
have a pair of oem pulse generators if you are interested

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby hotwire » Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:50 pm
I Removed the pulse generators from the bike, ohmed them myself, and took them to our
local Honda shop and had the Honda mechanic check them as well, he o.k.ed them too.
Put the bike back together and rode one trip without a glitch, ( while I had all the fairing
and top cover off, I cleaned most all the wiring connectors), but rode today and problem
reoccurred. Surely somebody has had this happen before???? I hear that the gearshift
sensor has something to do with the ignition????? maybe the engine timing????? Acts just
like a loss of fire and will completely stop (now), and after a few minutes start again,
(sometimes after a good while), left me out on the road in the dark tonight. I'm at a loss.
All the lights and everything else stays on o.k. Did notice while I was taking my foot and
moving the shifter back to neutral, the starter acted like it wanted to operate, just a
little???
Don't have a clue as to why that would happen. Maybe I need to take up horseback riding
!!

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby rono24 » Mon Aug 20, 2012 4:31 am
Just because the pulse generators ohmed out does not mean that are good,they get hot
and then will shut down . I bet if you change them you will solve your problem.

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby thesaint » Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:41 pm
 [i]hello i also have the same problem, i have a 1986 GL1200 goldwing took it for a ride
and while rideing the idle went sky highafter it warmed up, when i took it home and shut
it off while it was at a high idle that wouldn't go down, it also backed fired and stopped
running now i have nothing when i turn on the key i checked the fuses in the tank,
checked the main fuse looks ok ...............HELP I NEED TO GET MY RIDE RUNNING
AGAIN.... help please

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby richard s. » Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:51 pm
Had trouble with my 87 interstate backfiring and cutting out. Turned out the plug from
the main harness to the reg/rectifier had several wires burned off so wasn't charging
battery. I cut plug off and soldered the wires which alleviated the backfiring but, now I
get 15.2v at battery ,running. Talked to honda mech.. He said rec/regulator was bad,
ordered new one, same thing.

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby WingAdmin » Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:53 pm
richard s. wrote:Had trouble with my 87 interstate backfiring and cutting out. Turned out the plug from
the main harness to the reg/rectifier had several wires burned off so wasn't charging battery. I cut plug off
and soldered the wires which alleviated the backfiring but, now I get 15.2v at battery ,running. Talked to
honda mech.. He said rec/regulator was bad, ordered new one, same thing.

The problem is usually voltage loss on the black "sense" wire on the regulator. It sees
reduced voltage coming from the ignition, so it tries to "boost" the voltage to
compensate. Have a look at this thread for information on diagnosing and easily fixing it.

Re: gl1200 backfiring,quitting running

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Postby Calvin Bell » Sun Sep 09, 2012 1:22 pm
rono24 wrote:The pulse generators set behind the timing belts if you have changed the timing belts also a
good time to do that there is a ohm value for them you can find that on this forum. I have a pair of oem
pulse generators if you are interested
Hello My 1986 gl 1200 aspencade is doing the exact same thing. It cuts off randomly when
I'm driving down the road. It usually cranks up within seconds after I cut the switch off
and turn it back on. I initially thought that is was my fuel filter restricting the fuel
causing the backfiring and light miss in the engine. I installed a new filter and also check
the fuel pump to insure that it was working properly. I rode down the interstate
yesterday and it put me down again. The thought occured to me that it seems like a pick-
up coil of something that is getting hot and then cooling down. I believe that its the pulse
generator as you have describe.

Where can I purchase this item as Honda has discontinued it. Can some one help me with
this. The weather is calling me and the wife and I are ready to ride. HELP!!!