Honday Gl1500 Questions

Greetings!

I just picked up a sharp '92 Honda GL1500 Aspencade with 42K miles
from the widow of a friend who died from cancer in February. Because
my friend had been ill for some time, the GL1500 sat in his garage for
the past 16 months.

The battery is gone; a new one is on the way. Fluids (especially oil)
obviously need changing. The tires are in good condition--3 years old/
3K miles.

General question: Is there anything else I need to examine/replace
before I take a 2,500 mile road trip in May?

Brake question 1: my friend installed a heel/toe gear shifter, and a
similar arrangement for the rear brake. The rear brake pedal goes all
the way down without any braking effect whatsoever. Any tips on
finding the problem quickly? I see that some plastic will need to come
off before I can really see what is going on (or not) back there. I
did remove the plastic covering the battery. The rear brake fluid
reservoir appears to indicate a proper fluid level.

Brake question 2: Does the rear brake pedal apply either of the front
disks?

Thanks for your guidance. I have been a biker for 35 years, but mostly
rode late 70's and early 80's models. Although the GL1500 is not the
latest in GW technology, it is definitely beyond my experience.

wrote:
> Greetings!
>
> I just picked up a sharp '92 Honda GL1500 Aspencade with 42K miles
> from the widow of a friend who died from cancer in February. Because
> my friend had been ill for some time, the GL1500 sat in his garage for
> the past 16 months.
>
> The battery is gone; a new one is on the way. Fluids (especially oil)
> obviously need changing. The tires are in good condition--3 years old/
> 3K miles.
>
> General question: Is there anything else I need to examine/replace
> before I take a 2,500 mile road trip in May?

A few shorter "shakedown cruises" will probably reveal any potential
problems. After sitting for so long, make sure to inspect the inside of
the gas tank for rust flakes. Those will ruin your ride.
>
> Brake question 1: my friend installed a heel/toe gear shifter, and a
> similar arrangement for the rear brake. The rear brake pedal goes all
> the way down without any braking effect whatsoever. Any tips on
> finding the problem quickly? I see that some plastic will need to come
> off before I can really see what is going on (or not) back there. I
> did remove the plastic covering the battery. The rear brake fluid
> reservoir appears to indicate a proper fluid level.
>
> Brake question 2: Does the rear brake pedal apply either of the front
> disks?
>
> Thanks for your guidance. I have been a biker for 35 years, but mostly
> rode late 70's and early 80's models. Although the GL1500 is not the
> latest in GW technology, it is definitely beyond my experience.
>


--
Barb
Chaplain, ARSCC (wdne)

"Keep fighting for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't forget to
have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous,
ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can
produce."

--Molly Ivins