Brother sewing machine model 732 (pretty old machine) compal star My machine was sewing forward up to today. I broke a needle changed that since when it wants to go backwards...any ideas what to do I have looked in the skimpy old manual and it has not helped

sounds like it just needs serviced. The reverse mechanism gets stuck sometimes when not properly lubricated.

You can find a manual for for your machine in the link. In the photo below it show the same type of bobbin as your machine. It may or may not help you. It is a little fiddly if you have never done it but take your time and have lots of patience. Having a manual for your machine is invaluable.
Joness Brother Electronic Compal Ace Model 765 Sewing Machine Instruction...

well reverse button must be stuck. Try turning wheel to move forward and setting the stitch, like to zigzag. Oil it good, old machines get "thirsty".

You can try contacting this company:

Brother Bobbin Cases Sewing Machine Bobbin Cases

Some machines have the left setting as the default. Those machines have the bobbin case that is installed from the left side of the machine. For most purposes, this default cannot be changed to center. Machines that have the bobbin case installed from the front of the machine generally have the needle center default position. However, it appears to be a newer model machine (post 1970), so there is a good chance your machine has a needle position setting.

Brother Compal Galaxie 870 Service Manual free download schematics...

Brother Sewing Machine Manuals Instruction and Repair Manuals

try another needle
rethread the machine top & bobbin
clean under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for lint or threads
if none of these things help then I suggest the machine get's serviced just
incase the timing is messed up

This -->link<-- is the Quick Set-up Guide for your machine.

This -->link<-- is the complete Owners Manual for you machine.

It sounds like a threading problem to me. it is covered in the Quick set-up and the Owners Manual

Hope this gets you sewing again

Thanks for using Fix Ya, please take the time to give this solution a Fix Ya rating.

clarkco

These machines are known to freeze up in the needle bar crank, even when only a couple of hours old. If it is less than a year old, a Brother certified service center will fix it under warranty.

Wet and dry fine paper rub the walker foot and base for any catching.

Just try below hopes it may help;

Sewing Machine Maintenance

Needle Faces Where?
I Need to Tighten the Tension....
Changing a Needle
Need Help
Basic Questions-
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?
How to Change a Broken Needle
Needle Bar Adjustment
Oiling an Elna 3007
Getting the Timing Belt Off?
What Size Needles for My Machine?
How to Oil my Machine?
Where to Oil??
Stitch Length Knob Woes
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly
Timing Belt Tension
Adjustments
Running Very Slow-
Oiling Points on Singer 257
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew
Singer 457
Featherweight Case Odor
Brother XL2010 Q's
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please
Is it Covered Under Warranty?
Proper Threading Instructions?
Just a Foot Pedal?
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036
Threading a Singer 600
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler
Changing the Needle
Lubricating a Singer 1036
Thread Balling Underneath
Warranty Info
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil
Spindle Stuck?
Do Motors Die?
Singer 457
Brother Sewing Machine
Servicing My Machine-
Belt Replacement
Lubricating My Sewing Machine


Regards,
VOTIT