Is there anything on a GL1500 that goes bad that will cause the starter not to engage you can hot wire it and it works?

If you mean the key turns on and you have lights, the battery is ok. Yes you can hot wire it. First, make sure the kill switch is in the run position. You can also have a bad button and or wiring going to the starter relay. The relay is the switch that connects the battery to the starter. Check all cables from the battery. Check to see that the other side of the relay cable is tight, and is tight at the starter. The way to hot wire at the starter solenoid: just run/jump 12volts from from the battery side to the small nut/lug on side of solenoid. There are only three connections on it one big cable in (from battery), one big cable (to the starter). If this does not get the bike turning over, try taking a pair of pliers and using the handle ends, short the two big ends together. If it then turns over you have a bad starter soleinoid. Have key on, bike out of gear and choke on; bike should start. Hope this helps. Ben Parker,San Jose, Ca