shikano53

Hi Freebird, No worries at all. I'm just being pro-active. Chris

I went for a run on my 04 RSV with my GPS and noted how much the speedo was out then went to the online calibration page on the SpeedOhealer site and ran the calculator. I then installed the Speedohealer (took about 10 minutes) and set the calibration according to the numbers given. Took the bike back out with the GPS once again and it is dead on. Very pleased now to have the speedo showing true speed. Not sure exactly what that will do to my odometer but I can live with that. Also, I'm going to synch my carbs as well this weekend and that should pretty much be what was on my hit list for the bike before riding season gets under way that and put on a few decals I ordered way back in February. Just a bit of gold leaf decaling to add a bit of detail to the bike. I hope I don't mess that up and make it look lopsided. Weather finally looks like it is going to hit the double celsius digits this weekend - finally. Ride safe Chris in Red Deer, AB

P.S. Hi guys, I wanted to mention that Sunday I am going to cut out the connector and hard wire my stator as per the advice received. Thanks again Chris

Thank you, thank you, all of you. I deeply appreciate it. Respectfully Chris Besse Red Deer, Alberta

I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone in the forum for my comments and remarks. I have learned a valuable lesson. Perhaps it isn't too late for an old guy to still learn a lesson in living. I am deeply sorry. Take care and all the best to all of you. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

It seems to me you are saying the same thing I am saying but with different words. I understand that the increased resistance you mention that causes the heat build up is the real issue. I sincerely appreciate the help and knowledge of the people on this forum and understand that peoples intentions are well meant. I don't generally get upset or angry, normally I'm pretty laid back but in this case I thought it was appropriate to comment and I deleted my original post in order not to hurt anyones feelings or make them angry. I do not agree with your conclusions but that is my right to so choose.

Your opinion. The statements are valid nonetheless.

Yes, I agree and appreciate the help. All I am trying to say is that in a lot of the information I have read points to the connector and it isn't the connector that is the problem. I'm just trying to explain that you can, if the connector is good, leave it in the circuit and that there is perhaps no reason to remove it as an alternative to simply cutting it out and re-wiring it without a connector. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

I have to enter this thread since my initial thread. I want to respond to some of the comments generated concerning the install of my Buckeye Performance high output stator install. First, I need to qualify something. My son-in-law did the install. He is a 15 year journeyman mechanic both heavy duty and automotive. In other words, he is a professional in his trade not a backyard mechanic. He did not cut out the connector and hard wire the new stator. My new stator will not leak contrary to all those who said it will. My son-in-law used professional grade material from his shop that in his career he has used countless times. In his fifteen years as a mechanic he has installed probably hundreds if not thousands of stators, alternators and every conceivable type of component found in an electrical charging system. He currently works in an agricultural shop working on tractors, combines, and diesel farm trucks of every description. I have been told that the connector is the weak link. That if you don't hard wire the stator your bike may catch fire and burn. Why is that? I have been told to use 12 gauge or even 10 gauge wire when I hard wire the stator. Why would that be? So here is my answer to all of that. I asked my son-in-law if there was a problem with retaining the connector. He said no. He said that $750,000.00 farm tractors putting out 185amps run it all through an identical little plastic connector. My car's charging system and all trucks cars, tractors, combines etc. all run their power systems through identical plastic connectors. I then asked him in his 15 years as a professional mechanic if he has ever in a manual, workshop, training seminar, or classroom ever seen a big red warning that states something to the effect, "WARNING! IF YOU CHANGE THE STATOR IN THIS TRACTOR, CAR, TRUCK, COMBINE, MOTORCYCLE YOU MUST REMOVE ALL CONNECTORS AND HARD WIRE THE NEW STATOR OR YOUR $750,000.00 TRACTOR, CAR, TRUCK, COMBINE OR MOTORCYCLE WILL BLOW UP AND BURN! He has never in his 15 years as a mechanic seen such a warning. Here is the thing. The wire harness on the OEM stator and on the Buckeye Performance high output stator is 14 gauge wire, not 12 or 10 gauge. If you install 12 or 10 gauge wire in your installation then yes, the probability is good that your new stator will possibly burn. My question is on what premise? Because by inserting a larger gauge wire the 14 gauge wire that is still in the circuit cannot now handle the increased amperage flow from the larger diameter wire and it becomes a weak point or choke point that can potentially cause a fire. The only way the connector will be a problem is if the connector has rust or corrosion built up on the inside. Why is that? Because the rust or corrosion acts as an insulator and the increased amperage can cause it to heat up and possibly catch fire and or melt. If the connector is clean, and free of rust or corrosion it will not present a problem. If it is dirty, rusty or corroded then all you have to do is install a new connector. I do not believe that my connector will not burn or melt. Someone mentioned about the position of the connector, that, and I quote, "Well, when these bikes are assembled you can't really tell where the parts might be because they are all assembled differently and there is no way to tell where the components might be placed." When I sat down and thought about that, I thought it was an odd statement unless I totally misunderstood the reason behind the remark. It left me with the impression that these bikes are assembled randomly by 8 year old, blind drug addicts in a chop shop by throwing parts into the air and seeing where they attach themselves to the frame. To each there own. But I had to comment on all the comments about my stator install burning up and/or failing. I don't think it will fail based on what my son-in-law told me and the work he did. If it does fail, I will be sure to post it as a follow up. But I will also post at the end of the riding season so far so good. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

Thanks Twigg, It was late, I was sore and tired and more than a little POed. Chris

Removed -Inappropriate

Fascinating! I have owned three 1st gen bikes two Goldwings a 1500 and an 1800 and two 2nd gen RSV's. The absolute worst bike/s I have ever ridden in the wind bar none was and still is my 1st gen Venture Royale. ALL THREE OF THEM!!! I love my 1984 Venture Royale; but to say it is better in the wind than my 01 and 04 RSV would be a bald faced lie. The very first thing I noticed on my RSV immediatley was the stability and the way it did not move in the wind. No movement, nada. Not in any direction or even in a cross wind. The second worst bike in the wind was my 1800 Goldwing. Lets see; I know!!! Let's subjectively test this. Windy day. Check all four tires. Good to go. Check both bikes suspension Good to go Jump on 1984 VR Ride one hour. Come home pull in garage jump on RSV Ride on hour Come home. Comparison: 1st gen is all over the road, white knuckle riding and I know how to countersteer. RSV - Wind??? What wind??? There you have it folks another subjective, consumer evokes test drive.

I did use sealer where the wires go through the grommet and heat shrink. Chris

The Buckeye Performance stator. Chris

Naw it won't leak Bro!

Actually I can't take credit for that. My son-in-law who is a journeyman mechanic did it, I just watched. As it turned out he did a totally professional job. We had trouble with one stator bolt that would not break loose. He had to actually take the stator assembly to his shop, weld a nut onto the bolt and then take it off. While he was there he cleaned it all up and then came back and he completed the install. We didn't solder the wires, he re-used the connector. Like I said he did a beautiful job. And I have to thank Brad (Squidley) for his comments as well. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a wrench. If I had attempted to do this solo my wife would have eventually found me curled up in the fetal position on the cold garage floor or sitting underneath my toolbox with a bottle of tequila gripped between my fists mumbling stark, imprecations against Yamaha, the government and realtors but not necessarily in that order. So here's the deal. Yeah so I don't know my Robertson's from my Philips head screw drivers. Who cares? I have a mechanic for a son-in-law. Anyway where was I...Oh yeah, the deal. I have a perfectly good OEM stator out of my 2004 RSV that I want to put in the classifieds and Ebay but I have no idea what it might be worth. Anyone have an idea what it might be worth? Thank you in advance. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta.

Awesome! I just ordered mine. Chris

Thanks Seaking! I will. Chris

I got my Speedo-Healer in the mail and want to install it. I looked at the install pictorial I found and I just have one question. When my speedometer indicates 110 kph I am actually doing 100 kph. When I read the install instructions it mentions activating the km/h to mph conversion feature it states, "You have to program +60.9% (1.609 multiplier) on top of the calibration value you need. I'm thinking this unit is built where metric is the standard and this is not necessary unless you use MPH. Any comments or suggestions appreciated. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

That looks like a good choice. Thanks for the information. Chris

I've been reading the threads on voltmeters and have decided to put one on my 04 RSV. I've looked at the Kuryakan digital and am wondering what you are using and where you mount them on the RSV? Thank you in advance. Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

Thank you! I checked and mine are all good no cracks or deformities.

I didn't do the install, the local dealer did. Chris

OK so where are the rubber nipples or cap thingies located on my RSV? Are they beneath the bike, beside the carbs? Chris

Thanks folks. Can anyone point me to step by step verbal instructions on installing a switch/relay? I'm not very good at following a schematic diagram. Chris