Skydoc_17......you asked...you got it.

[Snaggletooth]

Ok, this is pretty much a story of cause and effect. Earl and Dano know what happend but now I think I can explain why it happend.

 

About a week ago I had an electrical problem. Lost my charging system out on a ride. Voltage was dropping like a rock but I was able to get it back home before I lost power. (thank you DEKA AGM)

 

When I got home I saw smoke coming out from the left side by the swing arm. Well, that is where the R/R is mounted. Tried to start the bike again in the garage and blew the main fuse. Long story short....tested the stator, a 2 year old Buckeye upgrade, looked for shorts in the wiring and found none. Replaced the main fuse and tested the system. Looked like everything else was fine.

 

Pulled the R/R I installed about 3 years ago. It was an aftermarket unit, (not the upgrade Shindengen upgrade), and it pretty much started to fall apart as I removed it. As you can see from the pics it is more square and thicker than the OEM unit so I had to fab up a new mounting bracket to hold it in place.

 

That was where I went wrong.

 

I lost my main fuse because the R/R shorted to ground. On a three year old quality unit....why? Not supposed to happen.

 

Looking at all the pieces now I'm pretty sure I know what happened. The new fabbed up mounting bracket left the new R/R hanging a bit lower than the OEM unit. I had room at the time and had no reason to be concerned about it. BUT.....about a year later I bought a new set of MAC pipes and installed them. Still had room for clearance on the R/R but it was closer to the MAC's than it was with the stock pipes. About 3/8 of an inch was all I had. And these things get warm all by themselves. Didn't need to add to that.

 

SO.... when I pulled the R/R off I saw the bottom section of the rubber electronics potting was burned and brittle. Pieces came off in my hand as I removed it. That was the section that was closest to the pipes. You can see the damage in the pics. Heat ....pure and simple.

 

I opend it up and the R/R is singed all the way through. So, in my opinion, I caused the failure by not making sure the unit had more distance away from the pipes.

 

If anybody else has a better explaination I'm open to your thoughts.

 

D'oh. Next time I'll have a better plan......

 

Just call me Sparky.

 

Mike

Edited September 6, 2010 by Snaggletooth

[bkuhr]

Sniff..Sniff I know that smell

[Snaggletooth]

Yep....not something you want to smell when you are not within pushing distance of the shop.

[dingy]

That's one of the reasons I like this forum.

 

Another mans failure is a lesson for all of us.

 

Sorry it had to be you Mike.

 

Gary

[skydoc_17]

Hey Mike,

I know that after a few 9000 RPM shifts on my 87'VR you could "fry an egg" on my Jardines, I say you found the problem, Sparky! I checked with my brother today, (electronic wiz) and that fuse holder is the "hot ticket item" to replace that main fuse holder. You are good to go.

I am glad that the extra backup R/R I had laying around found a good home. That is one of the best things about this site, riders helping riders!

I hope you get some good riding in over the Holiday weekend,

Earl

[oldgoat]

hey snaggletooth how are you at BBQ,S:225: just kiding man that sucks

[Snaggletooth]

Earl....You keeping count of how many of your "backup parts" are on my bike? I lost track.

[Squidley]

You dunned let the smoke out!

 

 

[Snaggletooth]

It's ok Squidley.....I added some 2 stroke oil to the gas and stuffed a couple of taters in the Macs so I can refill it. Should be fixed by tomorrow.

Edited September 6, 2010 by Snaggletooth

[CrazyHorse]

Ok, this is pretty much a story of cause and effect. Earl and Dano know what happend but now I think I can explain why it happend.

 

About a week ago I had an electrical problem. Lost my charging system out on a ride. Voltage was dropping like a rock but I was able to get it back home before I lost power. (thank you DEKA AGM)

 

When I got home I saw smoke coming out from the left side by the swing arm. Well, that is where the R/R is mounted. Tried to start the bike again in the garage and blew the main fuse. Long story short....tested the stator, a 2 year old Buckeye upgrade, looked for shorts in the wiring and found none. Replaced the main fuse and tested the system. Looked like everything else was fine.

 

Pulled the R/R I installed about 3 years ago. It was an aftermarket unit, (not the upgrade Shindengen upgrade), and it pretty much started to fall apart as I removed it. As you can see from the pics it is more square and thicker than the OEM unit so I had to fab up a new mounting bracket to hold it in place.

 

That was where I went wrong.

 

I lost my main fuse because the R/R shorted to ground. On a three year old quality unit....why? Not supposed to happen.

 

Looking at all the pieces now I'm pretty sure I know what happened. The new fabbed up mounting bracket left the new R/R hanging a bit lower than the OEM unit. I had room at the time and had no reason to be concerned about it. BUT.....about a year later I bought a new set of MAC pipes and installed them. Still had room for clearance on the R/R but it was closer to the MAC's than it was with the stock pipes. About 3/8 of an inch was all I had. And these things get warm all by themselves. Didn't need to add to that.

 

SO.... when I pulled the R/R off I saw the bottom section of the rubber electronics potting was burned and brittle. Pieces came off in my hand as I removed it. That was the section that was closest to the pipes. You can see the damage in the pics. Heat ....pure and simple.

 

I opend it up and the R/R is singed all the way through. So, in my opinion, I caused the failure by not making sure the unit had more distance away from the pipes.

 

If anybody else has a better explaination I'm open to your thoughts.

 

D'oh. Next time I'll have a better plan......

 

Just call me Sparky.

 

Mike

 

Houston we have a problem!

[Bill W.]

I was always told that if you're going to do something, then do it well. I'd say you got all of that one, Mike!!

 

Thought it looked a little hazy across the river the other day!

[Snaggletooth]

Hey Bill, How ya doin'?

 

Well I was on your side of the creek when I noticed the voltmeter headed south. Probably left a bit of a smoke trail on the South Expressway.

 

How ya coming along with your bike?

 

Mike

[Aussie Annie]

OOHHHH, Bugger

[mrich12000]

Hy sparks, that looks nasty. Do you need a regulator ? or do you have one I have one from my high power update. pm me and I will ship it..Mike R:smile5:

Edited September 18, 2010 by mrich12000

[Snaggletooth]

OOHHHH, Bugger

 

:sign yeah that:Kind of what I said.....not exactly.....but simiiliar.

 

mrich12000........Thanks for the offer but Skydoc_17 hooked me up with a used OEM so I'm back in operation.

[bongobobny]

Man, looks like a volcano erupted and took out a town...

[Snaggletooth]

Hi Ya Bob,

 

Coming from a guy who tried to melt his 1st gen.......I'm flattered. :crackup:

 

I came close buddy.

 

Mike

[Bill W.]

Told the wife I was just going out for a little ride the other day, ended up half way to Des Moines before I turned around. I love this bike!!

 

Gotta find someone to fix/replace/whatever to my seat cover. It's getting pretty ragged. Any ideas??

[Snaggletooth]

Hi Bill,

 

Yep.....my daughter loves the words "Going out for a spin." All get back these days is "See ya tomorrow."

 

She's learning.

 

I checked your profile to see if you had a pic of your bike but Dang!!! You look the kind of guy that carriers a big stick! Or are those just knee pucks for when ya lean into the curves?

 

I checked a lot of places around here for recovering on my original seat. Ran $250 to $350 for the seat and $100 to $150 for the back rest. And no....that wasn't leather either.

 

I was told about as place over here off of 84th that will redo one for about a $100 to $150. I'll check on the name.

 

I found a like new seat on eBay for $40.00.

 

Glad you're enjoying the bike.

 

Mike