Electrics

[fairb]

My XX05 had to be recovered home today. Did about 150 miles with some stops and starts along the way. Stopped one last time and there wasn't enough in the battery to turn the engine over to get it going. It just died on me. It's done this before and I thought I had fixed it with a new battery. (It previously refused to start after not being used for ~3 months over winter.) I'm not good at electrics so any constructive suggestions gratefully received. (And yes, I did the loom fix ages ago.)

 

[sr71caspar]

Gonna be reg/rec failure. More than likely stator failure as well. Probably fecked your new battery also.

Someone will come along and post a link to relevant threads, hopefully. I cba this time of night.
You could always do a search yourself.

 

[Centaur]

Read this for a start, Fairb.

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=67193

I've got to go to work this morning so I'm tight on time. Others on here will provide advice and links. If not I will be back this evening. You'll need a cheapish meter from Halfords or Maplins to do the job. Also take the battery out and get it charged. :-0)

 

[andyBeaker]

Centaur has more detailed knowledge than me and may well help you identify the component that has died........ But, based on my personal experience, I would consider replacing all three components in the charging system (reg/rec, generator and battery). The reason I say this is simply when I had charging issues on both my Birds replacing a single item identified as faulty brought short term happiness followed by one of the other components packing up in systemic sympathy. As I see it if one lets go one or both of the others was either the original cause or has been damaged.

On the bright side all three component replacements are straightforward diy- only remotely complex bit is soldering the plug on the new generator.

Just my view based on my experiences.

Good luck with sorting it.

 

[fairb]

Thanks for your replies, I'll have a search through what's on the site. First time ever one of my Hondas has broken down.

 

[Centaur]

Thanks for your replies, I'll have a search through what's on the site. First time ever one of my Hondas has broken down.

Go for it, fairb but you will need a charged battery and a meter to find out what went wrong. :-0) I see Jaws is about and he knows more than the rest of us put together about the Bbird. :bow:

 

[fairb]

OK I followed JAWS excellent instructions and got the following:

1-2 5.5V
1-3 21.8V
2-3 22V

I guess the 1-2 reading means that the coils are buggered.

I now need to read up on how to replace them and then decide whether I'm going to give my friendly motorcycle mechanic a call.

P.S. My little helper had trouble at finding 2000 rpm at first. She had the RPM needle fairly wanging around the dial!

 

[Centaur]

Well done fairb.

OK I followed JAWS excellent instructions and got the following:

1-2 5.5V
1-3 21.8V
2-3 22V

I guess the 1-2 reading means that the coils are buggered.

I now need to read up on how to replace them and then decide whether I'm going to give my friendly motorcycle mechanic a call.

P.S. My little helper had trouble at finding 2000 rpm at first. She had the RPM needle fairly wanging around the dial!

I'm afraid that means your alternator is knackered. Don't forget you will need a gasket as well as the new alternator. It is a simple enough job if you can do a bit of soldering. Plenty of solder flux and make sure the temperature is high enough for the solder to flow freely. That is one place you do NOT want a dry joint. A dry joint is where the solder doesn't really flow due to the iron being too small or heat lost through soldering outdoors in a breeze. Then we have to ask why the alternator failed. This is usually because it has been forced to work too hard due to a defective reg/rec or a poor battery. Putting too much load by extra lights, heated vest, gloves et al can also cause the problem. Another cause can be corroded wiring. Many on here have taken the output from the reg/rec directly to the battery via a separate inline fuse to bypass old wiring. This will virtually always show higher voltages at the battery when the bike is running. Andybird recommends changing the lot at one go and there is a lot of merit in this. There is also a lot of cost. How old is the battery? If it is three years old or more I PERSONALLY would replace that too. Let us know what you decide to do. :-0)

 

[Jaws]

You will need an 8mm socket, a 5mm alan key and a gasket scrapper
Take the left hand fairing off
Put a bit of newspaper on the floor
Unplug the cable from the gen to the reg rec ( which you have already done to do your checks )
Undo all the bolts round the gen casing
A bit of a tap with a mallet and the cover will come loose
Pull it off ( it will feel like something is holding it still... It is just the magnets )

Lay the assembly on a bit of rag to protect it and undo the 4 bolts that are holding the gen in to the case, and the single bolt that is on the clamp that holds the wire in place

The next bit is without doubt the bit I hate..
Using the scrapper carefully clean off and remove all the old gasket

Fit the new gen in place with the 4 bolts making sure you have it oriented correctly so the wires exit in the right place.
Put the three wires through the holes in the rubber block.
Put the wires under the wire clamp and bolt in place

Smear a little standard LM grease on both sides of the new gasket and the sides of the rubber block.
Put the gasket on to the engine
Locate the rubber block in its recess in the cover
Offer the cover up to the engine and put all the bolts in it..
Job pretty much done !

 

[CBRDEAN0]

You will need an 8mm socket, a 5mm alan key and a gasket scrapper
Take the left hand fairing off
Put a bit of newspaper on the floor
Unplug the cable from the gen to the reg rec ( which you have already done to do your checks )
Undo all the bolts round the gen casing
A bit of a tap with a mallet and the cover will come loose
Pull it off ( it will feel like something is holding it still... It is just the magnets )

Lay the assembly on a bit of rag to protect it and undo the 4 bolts that are holding the gen in to the case, and the single bolt that is on the clamp that holds the wire in place

The next bit is without doubt the bit I hate..
Using the scrapper carefully clean off and remove all the old gasket

Fit the new gen in place with the 4 bolts making sure you have it oriented correctly so the wires exit in the right place.
Put the three wires through the holes in the rubber block.
Put the wires under the wire clamp and bolt in place

Smear a little standard LM grease on both sides of the new gasket and the sides of the rubber block.
Put the gasket on to the engine
Locate the rubber block in its recess in the cover
Offer the cover up to the engine
Keep your fingers out of the way cos the fekker bites as the magnets pull the cover shut !!!!!
and put all the bolts in it..
Job pretty much done !

Quick addition to JAWS splendid description

 

[fairb]

Appreciate all the advice and instructions. I'll give it a go.

I was having a lovely ride around Exmoor as well.

 

[Centaur]

I would just say take a photo at every stage. It's a straightforward enough procedure but having a piccie of each stage can help sometimes when putting it all back together. it's a good habit to get into when taking anything apart. I often repair laptops and tablets etc and many times the piccies have made things so much easier when reassembling. :-0)

 

[crj0007]

Don't forget the loom fix. Easy to do.

 

[crj0007]

Sorry just read you have already done the loom fix

 

[Centaur]

Just as a matter of interest, crj.

Sorry just read you have already done the loom fix

If you click edit on a post you have made in error and then go advanced you have the option to delete the post. This has spared my blushes a few times when after reflection I have regretted making a particular post. sh1tehppns

 

[andyBeaker]

If you click edit on a post you have made in error and then go advanced you have the option to delete the post. This has spared my blushes a few times when after reflection I have regretted making a particular post. sh1tehppns

That is why it is always good practice to quote a stupid post in a response as that preserves it before the buggers can change the original.............

;-0))

 

[andyBeaker]

Quick addition to JAWS splendid description

and dont forget to torque the cover correctly - from memory it is 18nm but as I don't have a Bird anymore I don't need a manual8rfl@

And don't worry if a nice shiny dowel or even a gear wheel or two falls out when you take the cover off - they all do that and it is pretty obvous where they go back.

 

[Centaur]

That is why it is always good practice to quote a stupid post in a response as that preserves it before the buggers can change the original.............

;-0))

Twat. 8rfl@

 

[andyBeaker]

If you click edit on a post you have made in error and then go advanced you have the option to delete the post. This has spared my blushes a few times when after reflection I have regretted making a particular post. sh1tehppns

So how do you explain all the other posts you have made:dunno:

 

[Centaur]

So how do you explain all the other posts you have made:dunno:

I followed your example, of course. :-0)