reg/rec question

[mirax]

i think my reg/rec is on its way out as my lights go really bright for a second then go back to normal and 1 of the headlights have blown. is there any other running issues a knackered reg/rec could cause i.e the bike running rough etc???

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Yea, if can run rough when the battery doens't have enough charge to provide a strong spark. Mine ran badly at low revs only but seemed to be ok higher up.

It can even cut out if the battery gets too low. By that time however, it wouldn't even have enough charge to even turn over the engine after. In that case the battery would be drainnig whilst you are riding.

[JamesVFR]

Check the wires coming from the reg/rec and look at the plug see if they look burnt out. You could go through the electrelex fault finding chart with a multimeter to confirm whether it has gone or not.

[mirax]

where could i find that ?

[Bezzer]

You've got a Honda dude, it's bound to be the reg/rec.
If you're noticing the brightness as you say don't use it until you've checked the output voltage as you could end up blowing a lot more expensive things than a bulb.
For a quick check put a multimeter across the battery terminals, start it up and rev it to around 5,00rpm, meter should climb to a max of around 15-15.5 volts , if its over then the reg/rec has fried in the open position letting excess voltage through. Start with that and at least you know if it's safe or unsafe to to run it.
____________________
I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[Phoenix]

Generally if the headlights dim when you rev it (rather than brighten) then it's had it. All older VFRs and CBRs have bad regulators that don't usually last over 30,000miles.

[Bezzer]

[Phoenix]

Best bet is just to spend £60 on a new aftermarket heavy duty one with a good heatsink and fit a fan if you really want. You'll never have to replace it again.