78 GL1000 Starter Solenoid (magnetic starter switch)?

[Liam]

I would have more faith in a used genuine Honda solenoid than a new Chinese made unit.
Solenoids from GL1800s are plentiful and cheap, they are a little bit shorter, but if they can crank a 6 Cylinder 1800cc
then they should be good for a 4 cylinder 1000cc.
They require the connecter to be changed to the bullet type, but that is not a big job.

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[ob1quixote]

So I canned the cheap solenoid, got a used OE from the local cycle salvage.
Darn if that one isnt sticking!

Got a new and healthier looking aftermarket on the way, cost twice the cheap solenoid.

[desertrefugee]

You sure it's not your START button?

[ob1quixote]

Hadnt considered it...

Bought the bike, it had a lawnmower soleniod installed.
Didnt fit behind the cover well, so went with a cheapie.
Read the warnings, replaced the cheapie with a very clean used OE.

Will have a look!

[pjgoeman]

I second Liam’s suggestion to use a GL1800 solenoid. It comes from Honda so you know it’s good quality, it fits in the 78’s rubber mounting cup, has the same wire color code, and it’s 30 years newer so your chances of getting a good used one are much better.

I picked one up on eBay for my 1978 for $12 and after changing it over to bullet style connectors my bike started before my finger even left the starter button.