Honda Goldwing GL1200 A1984 Starting Problem?

Question

I have just put my Honda Goldwing GL1200 A1984 on the Road after being garaged and Cleaned up after purchasing it 2 yrs. ago after its previous owner sold it due to lack of use.
 There was a starting issue with it where it really laboured to try and turn over or would not turn over at all. I took off the starter and serviced it checking the contact Brushes and pressure springs, I also purchased a new Battery. Even though it seems to be a slow turnover it now fires up immediately every time I press the button. I check it every couple of days and it’s not failed to start on first turnover.
 I have taken it out a few times now for a local run and have found that even though it starts when cold without a problem it really struggles to turn over when warm and won’t start, it’s just as if it’s got a flat battery, but after it cools down for about 45Min's it then starts immediately.
 Do you have any idea what it could be that’s causing this?
Candid Chris says:
Any bike that has sat around for awhile will have numerous issues, I'm guessing that yours is stator/rectifier related.
 New battery- starts, runs(a good sign).
 Runs for awhile and doesn't want to start/turn-over means the battery has weakened, it sits and cools and starts again. 
Test the output from stator to rectifier and the output from rectifier to battery, one or both may be a problem.
Best guess

Additional Details
Thanks for your reply. Candid Chris.
 What should the readings be from the Stator to Rectifier and Rectifier to Battery as you stated to check them.
 I had already taken readings at the battery and was as follows:- 12.5v on static test. On fire up it dropped to 10.0v and back up to 14.0v as it fired up and on 2-3k Revs then when i put High Beam on it went up to 14.5v.
 Don't know if this would give you any indication on your diagnosis

Mark · Accepted Answer

The 1200 is know for bad stators (not starters). Take a volt meter with you and do the voltage test BEFORE you shut down the bike on your next ride. I bet you will find around 9.5 volts. Now here is the real bummer, the stator is a engine out repair on that bike.

Make sure your ride starts and ends at home, that way you don't risk having to find a mate with a trailer.

guardrailjim · Answer

The new battery can be defective, or was not initially charged properly.
The readings you took are normal.
When a weak battery sits and rests for a little bit, it will 
minimally rejuvenate itself.
If the battery was to weak to take a charge from the charging system, the battery would drain while the engine is running.
The charging system would then keep the engine running.
When you turn off the engine, the battery would be to weak to restart the engine.
Let the bike rest and the battery rejuvenates itself and repeats the cycle.

Ride the bike around then stop at your house.
If it struggles to start again, use a car battery as a jumper battery (car not running).
If it fires up as normal, the problem is battery/charging system related.
If so, bring the battery to a shop and have it load tested.
Check the stator output with a meter.

Candid Chris · Answer

I'm back.
Your volt readings seems to be a little low but not terrible (sorta guessing here, don't have a GL Manual to give me guidance) so lets look at a different picture for a moment.
The symptoms are also similar to  clogged fuel tank venting, though 45 mins. is a long duration for that sort of shut-down. An unvented fuel cap will cause a vacuum in the tank, sh!t doesn't flow good in a vacuum and gas doesn't do much better. Try cleaning the cap and the over-flow outlet on the tank.
Like I said before there may be numerous issues on a restore and I'm not there to really see the problem.

Added- Hop on my YA email link, let's see if we can figure it out.

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Honda Goldwing GL1200 A1984 Starting Problem?

3 Answers