Bike just died whilst riding

[GhostRider]

Set off for work and a couple of hundred meters down the road the 'blade started to splutter and died at the side of the road. When I say died I mean there was no electrics i.e the neutral light isn't even coming on, indicators not working, nothing happens when pressing the starter.

Thing is in the last couple of weeks I have had to jumpt start the bike a couple of times, but thought this was due to having lights on full beam in slow moving traffic for extended periods.

Naturally this suggests a dead battery, but a quick google at the roadside threw up a suggestion that because the bike died suddenly, then the stator might be shot.

I don;t have a battery charger, so am wondering if the best thing to do is just buy a new battery and then run some checks with a multimeter once fitted (If so, what tests?) because a battery charger is going to run me up £40, and if all it does is prove that the battery is knackered then a new battery is another £40, with the prospect that a new Stator is going to cost £80 (without any clue how to fit one).

What does BCF recommend?

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Raffles]

Have you tried all of the obvious things that don't cost any money? The first thing that I would check would be the battery and earth connections. Easy to check and eliminate these things before forking out on unnecessary new parts.
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A good loser will always be a loser.

[MarkJ]

I'd also check all the fuses first. You might just have something shorting out with a rubbish battery.

[GhostRider]

Didn't have time to check anything out as after pushing the bike back home 200 meters uphill I had to then dash out to work and the battery is under the seat which needs allen keys to remove, however I was thinking that the fact that I had to jump start the bike a couple of times in the last couple of weeks suggests that it's not likely to be as simple as loose connections.

I can get a battery right after work if that seems the most logical thing to do, as ideally I need the bike up and running again ASAP otherwise it's going to cost me another ~£100 in lost sales......

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[neatbik]

I take it you havent got a multimeter handy at the moment?
Sounds like the battery hasnt been being charged up (obviously) so it could either be a duff battery, or i think more likely either the reg/rec and or the stator.

Either way as you say you will more than likely need a new battery.

You can run a check on the stator using a multimeter with the engine off. You basically check for any continuity between each of the 3 phases and an earth point. There shouldnt be any continuity, if there is then you know its shot.
Next you can check for resistence between each of the 3 phases. Should be minimal resistence, about 1 ohm.


The next check will need the bike running. Disconnect the stator wires and measure the AC voltage of the wires in pairs. The voltage should be the same within each pair, and should rise as the engine revs rise.
Again, any differences between the phases means you have a problem. The voltage should be about 20v at idle and should rise as the engine revs increase.

If that all checks out ok it means your reg/rec has gone tits up (not totally unheard of with a Honda...)

Start the bike and measure the voltage at the battery. Should be anywhere between 13v and 14.5v. Any higher or lower and the reg/rec is shot.

Its also worthwhile checking all the wiring and connectors, any crap or damage here can cause problems.

[GhostRider]

I have a multimeter at home. I will buy a battery after work and fit that in.

Will have to come back and ask about specifics with regards to
testing the stator - like where to find the damn thing for a start!

Also with regards to fuses, does the fireblade just have 30amp fuses?

GhostRider
____________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[jjdugen]

You might be lucky and its the reg/rec connector block burnt out.
The reg/rec (RR) is under the right side seat panel, a black slab bolted to the bracing plate of the subframe (just above the rear footrests). It will have five leads into it, three the same colour, one with battery voltage and one to ground. If the block is burnt (generally is) this will need makig good I usually throw a Honda RR as far away as I can, and fit one from a Yamaha R6, Fazer 1000 or similar These come with a 'tail' of leads into a connector box. Cut the connectors off and solder them together, its the only way to be sure,
Give us a report on the state of your connectors, you will need talking through the next steps.
DONT buy a battery just yet, if it is the connector thats gone it will only cost you £20 or so for a replacement RR.

[GhostRider]

Ok long story short, the main 30A fuse was blown, replaced that with the reg/rec off and bike turns on, will fire up. However connecting the reg/rec back up blows the fuse in seconds even with ignition off.

Doesn't take einstein to figure that the reg/rec is dead.

I am presuming riding without the reg/rec is a bad idea? I have a ~10 mile journey I'd like to make, but naturally don't want to kill
My bike in the process so wondering if I'll get away with it....

I'm also assuming any brand reg/rec will fit any bike if the advice is to avoid Honda brand ones?

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[ClockworkJesu...]

Yeah, so, no mechanic but going to guess the reg/rec is the Rectifier.
Ride without this if you want to overcharge your battery. I hear the hydrogen produced can be dodgey as hell.

So yeah. You'll need one of those!

Not surprised it blew the fuse. As you loose voltage you gain ampage; and I think 12v vehicle electronics kick out something stupid like 120amps. Its safer to play with your house electrics.

Other than that, no real idea on the different makes of rectifier. Sorry about that. Can't see any rectifier being any different apart from maybe in quality. Just burns off excess battery power. Literally.

[jjdugen]

You could ride for ten miles on a fully charged battery, but dont use lights and keep indicator use to a minmum. It would be wise to stick it back on charge at your destination.
Most late model R/R will be suitable, just get one from a yamaha of eqivalent electrical specs, R1 R6 Fazer 1000 are good. The connector block will be different, but, as I always solder this connection as a matter of course it makes no difference to me.
You can break the Yamaha block and insert the spade connectors into the Honda loom connector block, but it will always be a weak point in the circuit,

[GhostRider]

[neatbik]

When a reg/rec fails it can do one of two things (depending on how it failed) - Either undercharge, or overcharge.

I had one fail once (funnily enough that was a Honda too) and it boiled my battery - It was actually bulging with little wisps of smoke coming from it

[GhostRider]

Ahhh I see, sack it then it ain't worth the risk breaking down 10 miles from home. Annoying though as Birmingham appears to have no bike breakers at all so I'll be reduced to walking/public transport till tuesday at the very best.... which boils my piss more than the reg/rec could boil a battery!!

GhostRider
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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

[Slacker24seve...]

Is this still on the Hornet or have you got a GSXR yet?
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[GhostRider]

[Quornholio]

It's on his Fireblade I guess, seeing as he mentioned a "blade" in his first post?

[Slacker24seve...]

[Robby]

The charging system runs through the reg/rec first, so if you disconnect it you have no charging system. No chance of overcharging your battery.

This is classic reg/rec failure. Personally I would buy a couple of the very cheap (£20) Chinese ones off ebay. Chances are they won't last long, but even expensive ones are a gamble. A pair of cheap ones means you can keep a spare under the seat for when this happens again, which will always be on a saturday or sunday when you have no chance of getting one quickly.

They are a common fit across many Hondas. If its crucial to get the bike on the road, you may have a local BCFer that can lend you one.

[temeluchus]

Buy a universal reg rec dont buy another piece of crap from honda.
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