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Post by maxtera on Jul 7, 2017 22:27:37 GMT -5
Well as I eventually found out, my 04 Honda Reflex did have a bad engine. I got the bike home and it couldn't pull my 290lbs across the driveway.
I put it in the shop and  days later, at a cost of $1,040 dollars, I got it back. I took it to get inspected so I could transfer my tags and found that my brake lights are not working. I'll call the shop that did the engine work tomorrow but I have to get it fixed in 20 days or I have to pay for a re-inspection.
Anyone have an idea as to where I can look for the brake light problem. I removed the rear faring and the bulbs are good as well as the fuses. Besides the brake levers themselves, where is the brake light switch? |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jul 8, 2017 5:50:53 GMT -5
Did they work before going into the shop? If so, I would insist on them fixing it and quickly. Could be the tech pinched a wire or pulled a connection and forgot to put it back, or something like that. Call and tell them you must have the scoot back within 2 weeks for re inspection or else make them pay for the new one.
>'Kat
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Post by rockynv on Jul 8, 2017 6:41:14 GMT -5
Probably forgot to plug the wiring harness back into the rear bodywork when they put it back on the bike.
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Post by crawford on Jul 8, 2017 13:17:53 GMT -5
After that much money you think they would do a fast check to get it on the road for you NO ?
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jul 8, 2017 14:01:38 GMT -5
brake switches are located on the master cylinder.
check out the lever near the pivot bolt for the exact location.
the switch should show continuity when pressing the switch (squeezing the lever.)
these switches are wired in parallel, meaning both would have to fail before you would have no brake lights.
also remember, you gotta squeeze the brakes to start the bike.
i agree with rocky, an unplugged cluster is probably the fault.
you would have no lights at all back there, tail or brake.
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Post by maxtera on Jul 8, 2017 22:58:14 GMT -5
I did a quick search online and found that it could be my brake lever switch. But what puzzled me was that I still had tail lights and could still start the bike by pulling the rear brake lever. Frustrated I called the shop, loaded up the scooter and drove it the 45 miles back to the shop.
They determined that the rear brake switch had failed in the "open" position thus making the brakes be always on. Luckily, while doing my research the night before I ordered both brake lever switches from an online Honda parts store for $29. The scooter shop said they could get the rear for $25. I told him no thanks and that I would bring my parts in when they arrived next Wednesday, they're going to put them on for free.
I can't wait to get back on the road again, this Honda has a slow take off but it easily maintained 75 and at times hit 80 mph on the highway. When I rode the Jonway it had a fast takeoff but would bog down at around 68 mph. I'm so glad I decided to keep the Honda over the Jonway, its a night and day difference. Now if I can match the Jonway's takeoff and still keep my top end speed that would be great.
I'm going to look into doing the lighter roller weights and see how that goes.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jul 9, 2017 0:09:40 GMT -5
this is one of the reasons you check your bike, and check it often.
preferably before every ride.
i always checked my oil and water.
i usually checked my lights.
stay safe and be seen.
now that i mostly drive a cage i find myself specifically looking for bikes, because i'm now aware how they can be hidden in traffic.
this is the kind of thing drivers ed classes needs to stress.
yeah, i know, i talk too much.
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Post by maxtera on Jul 9, 2017 17:46:29 GMT -5
dollartwentyfive,
You're right, when I brought the Jonway home I made taking the motorcycle safety course a top priority. Ironically, my youngest son who just graduated college was living with us temporarily and decided that he wanted a motorcycle. I made sure he took the course, (which he was anyways) and I stressed to him the importance of being aware that people just don't see motorcycle riders and he has to look out for them and himself.
Now as for my brake lights, it's funny, in that before I went to the Honda dealer to get inspected I first took it to a shop near my house. Everything worked fine except they couldn't locate the vin number on the bike, so I rode it immediately to the dealer, and somewhere along that 20 minute ride my brake lights stopped working. It's probably just a coincidence but this is the same shop that serviced my bike, took a $312 dollar payment and told me the engine checked out fine, when it really was toast.
Once I get it up and running good I plan on doing all my own maintenance from this point on.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jul 9, 2017 20:10:42 GMT -5
these scooters are pretty simple in design.
i could service my entire bike with a 2 handfulls of tools (probably weighed 4 or 5 pounds)
things you need to be aware of are these are aluminum engines, CVT/ final drive.
both my wheels required a spacer, and it matters which way it goes back on.
my 244 had an external oil line and the bolts that hold it on MUST go back into the same hole.
these are the bolts on the head and stator casing.
when i changed my oil i did it thru the fill port, tipped the bike over enough to drain the oil.
i didn't want to break loose the drain plug because it was underneath the engine.
always check your lights and wear your gear.
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Post by maxtera on Jul 12, 2017 20:54:27 GMT -5
Replacement brake switches arrived 2 days early. I had the shop pop them on, I loaded the bike onto my truck & just finished putting the rear fairing back on. I rode it around the neighborhood a few laps and tomorrow I'll take it to finish that safety inspection. Next week I'll transfer my tags and my scooter will be road legal. YEAH!!!
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Post by hillbillybob on Jul 13, 2017 6:42:20 GMT -5
Someone certainly abused that poor scooter. A Honda 250 beat to death in 3,800 miles?? Hard to believe how some people treat their stuff.
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days later, at a cost of $1,040 dollars, I got it back. I took it to get inspected so I could transfer my tags and found that my brake lights are not working. I'll call the shop that did the engine work tomorrow but I have to get it fixed in 20 days or I have to pay for a re-inspection. 
