Litestar & Pulse Replacement Parts List


Print off this handy list and keep with your engine manual.


How To Tear Down Your Pulse
A Step by Step Primer

The turning radius of a Pulse is about 18 feet.


Reproduction Steel Pulse Frame

Check out Bob Hichborn's Webpage

Bob makes all steel frame and Outrigger wheel replacement parts to order AND all fiberglass body panels

Fiberglass Body Parts

Contact Bob Hichborn of Florida

Bob makes body panels to order

Fiberglass Vertical and Horizontal Aircraft Tail

Contact Mike Grindle of Marion, Indiana at: (765) 662-9950

12 Gallon Replacement Gas Tank

12 Gallon Fuel Tank ..... Contact Barry Soultz - Fairmount, Indiana - (765)677-0068 or (765)661-8511


12 Gallon Fuel Tank........Contact Pete Hatfield of Hatfield Motors

Replacement Glass Windshields

Glass Windshields -- Contact Chuck Furgason of Jackson, Michigan

chucknlinda@acd.net

Plastic Canopies

Contact Todd's Canopies of Florida

This page discribes removal and replacement of a Canopy

Plastic Head Light and Tail Light Covers

Contact Bob Hichborn of Florida

Bob makes these parts to order

Plastic Tail Light Cover

Contact Ron Palmer....1235 Cherokee Dr. Richardson, TX 75080

$45.00 each.

Interior Seats

This Page describes Interior Seats

Body Panels Fasteners

This Page describes Body Panel Fasteners and how to replace them

To remove the rear body panels:

First......... remove the rear lower panel. This is the one closest to the muffler. Just unscrew all the screws holding it in place.

Second......remove the upper rear body panel. It can be removed without taking the canopy off. Before removing the upper rear body panel you must disconnect the tail light connector. The tail lights go with the upper rear panel and the wiring must be disconnected. The connector is located on the left rear side, just above the left rear access door.

Third........remove the oval bulk head panel behind the rear seat and package tray. There are screws around the edge holding it in place. Once that panel is out you can see the connector. If you are kneeling inside the Pulse looking to the rear, the connector will be on your right fairly low. Look for the wires. It just unsnaps. Then you can remove all the screws holding the upper rear panel and it will drop. You can then slide it to the rear and off the Pulse.

Pulse Graphics

Make your own Pulse Graphics

Litestar and Pulse TOWBARS

Towbar Plans....make your own

Fiberglass Nose Cone

Contact Bob Hichborn of Florida

Bob can fabricate a new Nose Cone for your Pulse.

Look inside the wheel well. You'll find 8 bolts/screws in the rear nose cone area. The 4 inner ones are holding the headlight assembly. The 4 outer ones are holding the nose cone onto the Pulse body. Remove the four outer bolts and the nose cone will drop off, leaving the pop-up headlight still attached to the body.

 

Popup Headlight

 

1984-1985 Pontiac Fiero Head light

These headlight mechanisms came from Pontiac Fieros and are well known to have problems. If yours does not work there are several possibilities.

1. Is the headlight system is getting power? Check your fuses, the multi-pin connector under the right side of the dashboard for continuity. If you get power there, the problem is in the headlight assembly.

2. There is a relay in the assembly next to the actuation motor that may have failed. This keeps the motor from getting the voltage it needs to operate.

3. The actuation motor itself may have failed.

If the problem is either 2 or 3, you are in bad shape because the motor cannot be operated with the light down. On the top rear portion of the light, you can see a knob on the top of the actuation motor, which can operate manually by turning the knob. You may have to go to a junk yard and pick up a used headlight assembly.

Battery Holder for the Nose Cone

Contact Bob Hichborn of Florida

Bob can fabricate this battery holder

Speedometer

The speedometer and other guages are usually taken from the donor bike and used in the Litestar or Pulse dash. The speedo gear is usually located on the front wheel and a replacement can be obtained from a motorcycle shop or some owners have used a bright LED electronic speedometer from JC Whitney that uses 4 magnets wired to the driveshaft and a magnetic sensor. It was calibrated by following another car at a known speed and adjusting a knob on the back. The problem would be finding a place to mount the magnets on a Pulse. You could replace with a 1976-1981 Yamaha XS360 and XS400 motorcycle speedo. Other owners have used a small LED out of an old computer and using electrical shrink wrap to attach the LED to a flexible tube and aimed it at the speedo which can be calibrated for any size tire. OR.....some owners use a cheap handheld GPS velcroed to the dash.

Ignition Switch

An exact replacement can be found at "Wal-Mart". The part number is UN12140. It is called Universal Ignition Switch. Manufacturer NIEHOFF. Distributer is BWD Automotive, ..... Borge-Warner?

Honda Goldwing Radiator and Fan

Some owners report cooler engine temps by 50% with an alternative product to anti-freeze called ENGINE ICE. This is very expensive since the amount needed to fill the system which includes a long run of hose from the engine to the front windshield area for the defroster.

Yamaha 400cc Engine

1982 Yamaha Maxim 400cc SJ 
Single overhead cam

This is the 400cc RJ engine.

Typical engine -1982 Yamaha SECA 400cc RJ Dual overhead cam or the Yamaha Maxim 400cc SJ Single overhead cam.

Some owners report cooler engine temps if they us SYNTHETIC engine oils. AMSOIL 10W/40W

Note........

The SJ engine has a kick starter.

The RJ engine looks like an sideways H from the top view.    

1980 - 1982 Honda 1100cc Engine

This is the typical Honda 1100cc engine.

Typical engine -1980 - 1983 Honda Goldwing engine

Oil Capacity
Oil only     ~ 2.23 qt.
Oil & Filter ~ 2.64 qt.

Oil Type & Weight
SAE ~ 20W/40 type SE (Summer)
SAE ~ 10W/30 type SE (Winter)

Synthetic ~ 10W/40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil

Adding the oil-cooling system increases the oil capacity.

Oil Golden Spectro 4 Synthetic/Petroleum Blend Motorcycle Engine Lubricant SAE 10W/40

Fuel ~ Regular    

Yamaha Oil Filter

Yamaha P/N 1L9-13440-90 or -91, 1L9-13441-11

Oil Filters are the same for the Seca 400cc RJ and Maxim 400cc SJ engine.

The concave side of the filter goes to the outside of the engine block.
 

Honda Oil Filter

Honda XXXXXXXXX???

Oil Filters .................

The concave side of the filter goes ????????
 

Honda Spark Plug

Honda 4 cylinder water cooled.........Part # ???....
Plug Gap .023 ~ .028

Yamaha Spark Plug

Yamaha RJ engine NGK P/N D8EA
Plug Gap .023 ~ .028

Yamaha SJ engine P/N Champion N-7Y, NGK BP-7ES or Nippon Denso W22EP
Plug Gap .023 ~ .028

Yamaha Carburetor

No Image

MIKUNI
Yamaha RJ engine BS34
Yamaha SJ engine BS34

Honda Carburetor

MIKUNI
Honda...............

Honda Air Filter

No Image

PART NUMBER ???? .........

Yamaha Air Filter

No Image

K&N Filter P/N RB-0500 (Clamp on type)
(Used on Yamaha 400cc RJ engine) 

Yamaha Ignition System

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Transistor

Yamaha Starter

No Image

MITSUBA
RJ Engine ~ P/N SM-7
SJ Engine ~ P/N *****

Yamaha Charging System output

No Image

RJ Engine 14volts/18amps @ 5000RPM
SJ Engine 14volts/12amps @ 5000RPM

Yamaha Chain

Link #530 O-ring chain with 101 links (O-ring chains last up to ten times longer)

Yamaha Chain Master Link

Link #530 O-ring master link (Make sure it's the re-moveable clip type in case you have to tow the Litestar/Pulse)

Front
Sprocket

16 tooth Yamaha 400cc engine

Rear
Sprocket

40 tooth Yamaha 400cc engine 
Note: Sprocket will may need machining.

All Litestar and Pulse Shocks

 

(Old Numbers) Monroe Load Leveler 575 
(Coil over shocks used front and rear)

Gabriel Air-shocks # 729773 
*AutoZone P/N 49212 (Used on Front and Rear)

(Coil over shocks used front and rear)- Gabriel Air-shocks # 729773

Also check with your local NAPA store

More About Shocks

All Litestar and Pulse
Front Calipers

1983-1987 Dodge Omni, Renault or AMC Alliance *AutoZone P/N C945

(This is the passenger side caliper.  It is  used for both the front and rear calipers)

 

Front Rotor

FRONT ROTOR...Dodge Omni

Wearever Brake Rotor....part #YH141268
Aimco......part #5328
NAPA.....part 385885
Raybestos....part #7003
Bendix....part #141268

Front Brake Pads

1983-1987 Dodge Omni, Renault or AMC Alliance AutoZone

Some Pulse calipers are from a 1983-1987 Renault Alliance. The pad stock number is MD218. Or from a 1987 AMC Alliance (Passenger Side) - AutoZone P/N C945

Disk brake calipers are the same front and back.

MORE ON BRAKES AND REPAIR

P/N MD218

Front Rim

13 inch four bolt rim from a 1983-1987 Dodge Omni or AMC Renault Alliance

Tires..... Front

145 or 155 SR 13 Radial (*Recommend Michelin 155SR13 XW4 Black wall, this is a symmetrical tire)

MORE ABOUT FRONT WHEEL REPAIRS

Note: ...............

Tire Pressure ~ 30 to 35 PSI
I recommend using 35 PSI on the rear tire if you have the reverse unit.
Note: Running a low tire pressure on the rear tire will allow the reverse unit to spin against the tire.

MORE ABOUT TIRES


 

Tires........ Rear

Depending on your engine make and model and year......contact either Yamaha or Honda and ask which tire they recommend.

Note: 145 is the width in millimeters - 13 is the rim size in inches Make sure the tire is symmetrical in tread design.  The 155 width is the maximum size that will fit without spacing out the rear sprocket and creating chain alignment problems - Yamaha Chain drive models.

Tire Pressure ~ 30 to 35 PSI
I recommend using 35 PSI on the rear tire if you have the reverse unit.
Note: Running a low tire pressure on the rear tire will allow the reverse unit to spin against the tire.

 

Outrigger tires used on all Owosso built Litestar and Pulse

4.80x8 - Four Bolt 8" Trailer Rim ..... Available at TSC or Walmart

Use a high quality 2 or 4 ply tire rated for Highway speed *Recommend Carlisle Brand
Note: Balance tires to provide for a smooth ride and to prevent repeated excess wear in one spot of the tire.  An unbalanced outrigger tire will rotate to the same position during its rest position (no road contact). Each contact with the road will then create excessive wear in one spot on the tire.  Run the tire  pressure between 10 to 20 PSI for increased tire wear and a smoother ride. The low tire pressure allows the sidewalls to flex thus reducing the scuffing effect/wear.
Note: Running a low tire may require tubes in the tires to prevent the tire from popping off the rim. (I prefer using tubes)

MORE ON OUTRIGGER WHEEL ADJUSTMENT AND REPAIRS
You can purchase a tire and rim together at Wal-Mart or TSC for about $26.00. 

 

Outrigger tires used on the Scranton, Iowa built Litestar

2.80x2.50-4 Tail wheel TT MCCREARY

Front Wheel Bearings

 

BEARINGS -

Timken Sealed Cone bearing L44600-LA and matching race. 
(This bearing has a built on seal).
Always replace the bearings and races as a matched set.  Do not use an old bearing with new race or vice versa

Axles.....Seals

Cone roller bearings are used in the Pulse and are the same for the front and rear axles. This cone roller bearing is a combo bearing and seal. The seal is bonded to the race of the bearing. So to replace the seal you need to replace the bearing. The cone roller bearing replacement is a TIMKEN L44600L.You should replacing the cone roller bearing with its matching race. Never install a new bearing with an old race or vice versa. Also dont forget to pack the bearing with grease before installing it.

Replace the front end bushing with a bronze or Oilite bushing. Your local machine shop can turn these out fairly cheap. The bushings are carrying about 50% of the total load (weight) of the Pulse and the loads are increased when braking is applied. Using rubber, Teflon or any similar type material will pound out in a very short time and created steering problems.


STEEL HUB

Bob Hichborn of Florida can supply new hub and make adjustments such as, 5 hole for different style wheels, change the offset of the mounting plate for wheels with offsets other than the old Omni wheel. Adjustments can also be made for various mounting plates for different brake rotors. If you get into this you'll need different caliper mounting plates. As long as you maintain the original tire height and width, you can go to a thin, lower profile 14 or even 15 inch wheel.

Outrigger Bearings

Standard trailer replacement bearings. Always replace the bearings and races as a matched set.
Do not use an old bearing with new race or vice versa.

Bob Hichborn of Florida can supply new steel outrigger support blocks and steel parts.

Master Cylinder

1978-1983 Ford Fairmont without power brakes *Discount Auto Parts P/N 10-1763

A fluid line fitting adapter maybe required.

Steering Box

Left - is the gear reduction type.*

Right -
Gm 1964-1985 SAGINAW Model #122
Pulse #199 has the SAGINAW steering gear box.  This is a true steering gear box.

MORE ABOUT STEERING REPAIRS

Mullins Steering Gears Steering Boxes

The steering linkage is on the right side not the left as when the reduction unit is used.

Steering Wheel

No Image

Mfg. Unknown...... Early Litestars used a Butterfly type wheel from a go-kart....then the factory switched to a round wheel

Reverse Motor

Brushtec MFG. ???

(Do an internet search) They sell many parts for the Honda Goldwing 1800
For repairs ....check with your local alternator repair shop ...they might be able to replace the endcap for under $50.00. That should improve the power. The biggest problem with this setup is the drive cone has a tooth like design, this provides a very small contact area with the tire. If the driver was a slightly treaded roller shape, it might have more surface area against the tire and be much more efficient. The Reverse is only good on level, paved ground.

MORE ABOUT REVERSE UNITS

Wiper motor

No Image

MFG. Unknown.....some owners are using only RAINX and find that it works well

Speedometer Gear

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MFG. Unknown....some owners are now using a handheld GPS

Window Weather Strip

Weatherstrip With Built-In Lock-Strip, 
(Style D) 1/8 " body panel thickness
P/N 81ZX2480U

INSURANCE

GEICO CYCLEGUARD ..... liability only policy offered in 2004..... for $200 annually. Phone ..... 1-888-434-2600.

GMAC Insurance Touring Riders Insurance..... 800-325-1190....Premium was $274 a year in 2003.

Hagerty Insurance ..... Will not insure unless you have been a previous Pulse policy holder with them.

State Farm............In 2005 ......$425 per year with an agreed value of $17,000. No milage restrictions. $500 ductable comprehensive/collision w/emergency roadside and uninsured motorist.

Pulse Clothing

Contact Chuck Furgason

Litestar Pulse Index


Last Update: 10-05-07....... Web Author: Steve Schmidt (steveschmidt at hotmail.com)....Owosso, MI USA This is a personal website and is not affiliated with Bede Corp., Tomorrow Corp., Scranton Mfg., Owosso Motor Car or ANY company officials/employees.

Disclaimer: Litestar Pulse Website AND PARTS LIST PAGE is provided to you free of charge, "as is." The Webmaster uses his best efforts to maintain accurate Litestar Pulse Website history, information, repair tips and content, however, it is not responsible for the content of its information, opinion providers. You should not assume that Litestar Pulse Website is error-free and makes no guaranties as to the accuracy, currency, content, or quality of any such information. If you find errors, please email the webmaster - director of the Litestar Pulse Network.