Author Topic: Stranded today (Read 3677 times)

Strangexj86 · « **on:** September 10, 2012, 01:52:29 AM »

78 cb550

i went for a bike ride today and was about 45 minuted from home when my bike literally just stopped running and died. 3 hours later, a lost girlfriend with new battery and an angry friend, i managed to get the bike back to my house using a new battery.

i just replaced my battery two days ago. Anyone give some input on what is cuasing this? i had the same problem last week, which is what led me to buy a new battery.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2012, 01:57:55 AM »

What bike? Faulty ignition switch? These old things wear out the contacts inside.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:16:55 AM »

Quote from: LesterPiglet on September 10, 2012, 01:57:55 AM

What bike? Faulty ignition switch? These old things wear out the contacts inside.

oh sorry, 78 cb550. I dont think its the ignition switch since a fresh battery fires it right up. could it be a bad voltage regulator and/or stator? that is what my friend was thinking

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:28:45 AM »

Have you tested the voltage of the battery after it stops?

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:35:12 AM »

Quote from: LesterPiglet on September 10, 2012, 02:28:45 AM

Have you tested the voltage of the battery after it stops?

no i havent. i threw it on a trickle charge right when i got back.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:39:56 AM »

You need to test it to see if the voltage dropped significantly. If it has then your charging circuit isn't working. Use the google custom search for help diagnosing charging problems.

dave500 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:43:03 AM »

you need to hook the multimeter to the battery then start the bike,slowly increase the rpm to say 3500 and watch the meter,its voltage should gradually rise to about 14 volts.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:47:35 AM »

Quote from: LesterPiglet on September 10, 2012, 02:39:56 AM

You need to test it to see if the voltage dropped significantly. If it has then your charging circuit isn't working. Use the google custom search for help diagnosing charging problems.

yeah it makes sense that the charging system isnt working. it jsut cilled the battery to nothing. not even enough power for the indicator lights to come on.

Quote from: dave500 on September 10, 2012, 02:43:03 AM

you need to hook the multimeter to the battery then start the bike,slowly increase the rpm to say 3500 and watch the meter,its voltage should gradually rise to about 14 volts.

thanks i'll try that tomorrow.
if it doesnt rise then what?

dave500 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2012, 02:52:52 AM »

itll be charging system 101 on sohc!do the voltage charging check first,also have a look at all and any connectors,see if some seem loose,try unplugging/cleaning them if you can then reassemble,this can often fix things.

mronegear · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2012, 03:54:10 AM »

When i had charging issues with my 550 it was a corroded fuseholder at the main fuse! So if the voltage
increases by rising the rpm, but barely reaching the 13V it could be it.
+1 on Dave's post

bollingball · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2012, 08:32:32 AM »

Download the manual for your bike. Then start reading the FAQ and Tips&Tricks section of this site tons of good stuff. If you study this a little each night it will help you on the road and you can help others also. Dave and TT are really good on the 500s & 550s.
Ken

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2012, 06:16:29 PM »

Quote from: mronegear on September 10, 2012, 03:54:10 AM

When i had charging issues with my 550 it was a corroded fuseholder at the main fuse! So if the voltage
increases by rising the rpm, but barely reaching the 13V it could be it.
+1 on Dave's post

My main fuse is corroded at the top connection. For some reason this was the only one that was not soldered. It had a problem with blowing the main fuse every 5 days or so. I'll start there I guess. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2012, 12:55:13 PM »

so i picked up a universal blade fuse box so i'm going to switch over to these instead of the crappy glass tube fuses. I also noticed when i was looking at all the electrical that I had an adjustable voltage regulator. Does this need to be addressed and what should it be set at?

dave500 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2012, 01:07:56 PM »

do one thing at a time,see how it goes with the new fuses,youll need to study the manual about the regulator adjustment,,you should check the rectifier first as per the manual aswell,this is most often the fault,the stator and field coil should also be checked,underneath just in front of the gear shift pedal youll see where the wires come out of the cover,there should be some small bullet connectors,have a look at those ive had them come apart once.

mono · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2012, 01:09:50 PM »

the service manual details adjusting the V.R./checking the output.

BUT - i would suggest checking all the connection (as previously suggested). it's a pain in the a$$, but after going through all the connections on my '75 550 and cleaning/re-greasing each and every connection with dielectric grease, my previously insufficient charging system will now get me around just fine provided i keep it upwards of 4K RPMs.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2012, 08:02:28 PM »

heres what my fuse box looked like.

heres what i replaced it with. sorry about the quality of pic, it was a little dark. ($10 at shucks)

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2012, 05:35:54 PM »

so after checking the connections and replacing the fuse box with the blade fuses the problem is still there. And now the bike is starting to flutter and pulse when accelerating like its starving for gas. Any suggestions?

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:17:47 PM »

SO after researching like a noob, i've come to somewhat of a conclusion that i need to sync my carbs. I also forgot to mention that the PO had installed dyna coils right before i got it.

We have a honda shop in town (Pullman, podunk nowhere) so i'll check with them first.

Napa or shucks?

lucky · « **Reply #18 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:21:16 PM »

Quote from: Strangexj86 on September 11, 2012, 08:02:28 PM

heres what my fuse box looked like.

heres what i replaced it with. sorry about the quality of pic, it was a little dark. ($10 at shucks)

What is that big melted hole in the fuse box?

That is your main fuse. The 15 amp fuse.

Why do you think something is wrong with the coils?? makes no sense.
Coils almost NEVER fail.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:26:01 PM »

Yeah i know thats the main fuse location, I guess it was getting so hot that it melted its mount hole on the fuse box. I didnt realize this until i was left stranded a few days ago. Main reason for this thread.

I was simply letting the forum know that the bike had new coils installed before i got it. I didnt think that they were bad.

lucky · « **Reply #20 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:31:07 PM »

I know it seems not possible but check your battery connection on the battery.
They can get loose believe it or not.

Usually when a wire is getting hot it means it is not solidly connected.
Like the other end of that wire.

Also check the plug- in connection between the alternator and your fuse box area
It is a white plastic plug with several wires. Those can get corrosion and not be connecting completely and that will cause them to get hot.

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:58:50 PM »

cjecked and checked, yesterday. connections at he alternator were fine. The new main fuse hasnt blown yet and isnt getting hot anymore. What else could be causing the system to not be charging?

bollingball · « **Reply #22 on:** September 13, 2012, 07:39:50 PM »

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=35383.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1012.0

Read and READ some more

Ken

Strangexj86 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 14, 2012, 01:07:34 AM »

thanks for the info. I would read that stuff if it was a little easier to find. Searching google with sohc in the search bar is getting old.

Anyone ever suggested a little updating of the forum?

bollingball · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2012, 04:52:42 AM »

When I first came to this site my bike ran good so I had time to read. Go to the home page and look for FAQ and Tips & Tricks if nothing else read those two lots of good stuff in there. I thank all the folks who took the time to post all of it. Has help me a lot. I worked on these bikes when they were new just my own but had forgotten very much. Still learning

Ken

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Author Topic: Stranded today (Read 3677 times)

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