VFR400 dodgy electrics

octapusfoot · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Karma :

Has anyone else had any problems with the NC21's electrics? My bike seems to eat rectifires for breakfast. I'm on my third one now, if I don't run my bike every 2 days the battery dies and over a short period of time the rectifire fries itself. I'm not sure if a permenantly flat battery puts too much strain on the charging circuit and the rectifire packs in or whether it could be the cdi? I've read loads on electrics, but I'm no mechanic and it goes over my head! I'm sick of pushing my bike home cos it's broken down....again.... Crying or Very sad

(thanks Marjay for your advice with this one Wink

)

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Keep your battery charged up, or get a new one if yours is screwed. The VFR400 range have a weak elecrical system, so induce any extra load or abnormal activity on yours by having a flat battery.

Also, get a couple of little PC fans and install them to blow cool air at your reg/rec, it helps.

octapusfoot · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Karma :

Yeah..... the problems do arise if I don't use the bike all the time so perhaps I will get one of those optimate chargers and leave the battery on that when I'm not using it. (anyone got one of those, what are they like?)

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

When your Reg/Rec breaks down, have you tried bump starting the bike and running it without lights on? It worked on a friends' CBR, but that could've been a special case, I dunno, just a suggestion.

I've got an Optimate, and I used it on my RVF, but none of my other bikes since. But I did need to use it on the RVF because it sometimes had trouble starting on the button. Useful piece of kit.
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TiN
dotgems.net

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

As Robby mentioned a fan will help. It might also be worthwhile relocating the regulator / rectifier unit to somewhere with a bit more airflow, or maybe trying to stick some form of heat sink to it.

All the best

Keith
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octapusfoot · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Karma :

TiN, at it's worst, if the bike is running and I put the indicators on, everytime the light flashes the bike almost stalls. If I put the lights on then the engine cuts out!!
I don't let it get this bad now as once the battery stops charging this is usually a sign of things becoming a lot worse.
I think I will buy one of those Optimates though as I have gotten used to removing the battery now every time I park the bike up!

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Also worth checking what headlight bulbs you have in there. Non standard bulbs, heated grips, etc could all put extra loads on the charging system.

All the best

Keith
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