Kawasaki GT550 shed of death

[wizzzard]

About three weeks ago now in a quest to reduce my overall running costs and get a more sit up style bike I swapped my zzr600 for a gt550. It's an older bike but its a Kwak and only had 29000 on the clocks so I thought what the hell and went for it.

My problems started within the first week. I was on a short run to a friends and while engaging in a little traffic light gp the throttle stuck on full revs and took me trough the next red before I reacted and got it under control. I later traced this to a badly routed cable and sorted it out but when I had brought it under control the instrument panel (which houses a battery meter with a wire that runs directly into one of the cells) set alight and smoke was pouring everywhere.

The battery meter and the fuel gauge which comprise one unit were burnt out and dont work anymore which in itself isn't a major problem but last week I called in work on it and it refused to restart just ten minutes later. Bumped it off and got home but still no charge in the battery at all.

I've since put a meter on the battery and it is reading over 15v when the engine is running and 13.5 when the lights are on and the engine is running.

Could it be my reg/rec thats arsed or could it just be the battery? Any sure fire ways of testing that I could do myself as I don't particularly want a money saving excercise to cost any more than it has to.

Karma and love for anyone who can help
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And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[Bezzer]

Sounds just like you need a new battery, the old one isn't holding charge. The readings seem fine and don't show a duff reg/rec or charging problem.

Most systems charge around 14-15 volts if it's a touch over fine, but just keep an eye on it that it doesn't get over 16v. Could have been a loose shorted wire caused your "fire" but also too high a voltage and your battery was boiled.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[trikerdrew]

I ain't never had a GT550 just the 750's.

Truth is they are soldiers. Seems like you have just been bloody unlucky.

I'd be a tight git and stick a car batt on the rack or in a topbox and run leads to the batt terms to checkout if it is the batt or reg rec.

I concur with the right hon gent above with regards to Volt outputs.

I bought a gt750 yonks ago that didn't charge. I was young and green. Transpired it didn't have a reg/rect at all- -.

he 750 clocks fit the 550 if that helps.

Drew
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"all i learnt at school was to beend and break the rules"-Madness