ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS

Jan 31, 2005 — Recall Campaign #05V027000

ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 34,919 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

05V027000

Manufacturer:	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Recall date:	January 31, 2005
NHTSA Campaign #:	05V027000
Units affected:	34,919

Description:: ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN FRAME WELDS DO NOT MEET MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATIONS. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES OR THROUGH POTHOLES CAN CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequeces:: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE OR LOWER CROSS MEMBER SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REINFORCE THE WELDS ON 2001-2002 MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. ON 2003-2004 MOTORCYCLES, THE UNITS WILL BE REPAIRED, NO INSPECTION WILL BE NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
Notes:: HONDA RECALL NO. P66.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2004 HONDA GL1800 Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA GL1800 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE EXHIBITED FRACTURES ALONG THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LOWER FRAME, LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT REST. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.;
2004 HONDA GL1800A Complaints
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA GOLDWING WITH A CALIFORNIA SIDE CAR KIT. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE SECOND OWNER ABOUT 1.5 YRS AGO. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS RIDING A BACK ROAD WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED. I HADN'T TOUCHED THE START SWITCH? I TRIED THE KILL SWITCH BOTH POSITIONS AS THIS MODEL HAS AN UP AND DOWN FEATURE. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, NO AVAIL. FINALLY IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. AFTER RETURNING HOME IT WOULD NOT RESTART, I DID A CHECK AND FOUND THE START RELAY WAS FRIED. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS AND RESPONSE TO WHAT SHOULD HAVE SHUT A BIKE DOWN SAME RESULTS. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER IN LAKE CITY, FL. AFTER TRYING TO SELL ME A NEW BIKE PIECE BY PIECE I PAID MY $1K AND LEFT WITH A NEW STARTER AND NEW STARTER RELAY. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHEN IT HAPPENED I HAD SEVERAL STARTER RELAYS ONBOARD AND SURE ENOUGH REPLACE THE START RELAY IT STARTED I MADE IT HOME. THIS WEEK WHILE WASHING IT I TURNED THE KEY ON AND BEFORE I COULD MOUNT IT IT STARTED CHUGGING BY THE STARTER THROUGH MY YARD. CHOICE LEAVE IT AND ALLOW IT TO STOP BY RUNNNING IN THE HOUSE OR A CAR TO GET A WRENCH TO TAKE THE NEGATIVE OFF THE BATTERY OR STAY WITH IT AN CHOKE IT DOWN USING THE BRAKES. AGAIN START RELAY AND STARTER. I REALIZE YOU DON'T DEAL WITH WARRANTY ISSUES BUT IMAGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A MOTORCYCLE WITH THE KEY, THE KILL SWITCH OR BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT WITH THE CLUTCH SINCE THE STARTER HAS NO CONNECTION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DISCUSSED ON GOLDWING FORUMS. I CAN'T FIND ANYONE AT HONDA TO HELP...CAN YOU BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT?;