About four months ago, I went on a bit of a ride down the coast. There was a really cool lighthouse and I stopped to check it out. After admiring the scenery for a while, I went back to my bike, but when I tried to start it, all I got was a sickening thunk as my display cut out. Thanks to the help from some friendly stoners, I was able to push start the bike, and rode home. Every since then, whenever I’d ride by the ocean, I’d get the same behavior: I’d get home, and the bike wouldn’t start.
As the months went by, I started to notice that the bike would start with greater and greater hesitation.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to get to the bottom of the problem, and went out and bought a multi tester and opened up my shop manual. The charging system is remarkably simple, consisting only of a stator/alternator, which generates alternating current, a rectifier/regulator, which turns the AC into DC and makes sure the correct amount of electricity goes to the battery.
After I performed the tests, it looked like the rectifier was dead. I called the local shop, and they quoted me $230 for a replacement. I found one online for $110. Needless to say, I picked the online one.
As I conducted my research, I found this poll which seemed to indicate that the regulator had problems.
When the new part came in, I was extremely excited. It was a different part –apparently Honda realized there was a problem, and increased the heat dissipation properties by greatly enlarging the heat sinks. The installation couldn’t have been easier, with a total of only six bolts to remove (four of them were on the rear fairing), and now the bike starts (and runs) great.
And the best part was I did everything myself, from diagnosing the problem to fixing it. The sense of accomplishment was very nice, as was the fact that I probably saved myself at least $400. Here’s to doing it yourself –and to saving a bundle by doing it.
August 15th, 2005 at 11:19 am
Good going Steve, One might say , it’s in your genes!
Luv, Mom