Topic: But I just FIXED the charging system!

[Logite]

I have an '82 CB 650. I just had charging troubles a week ago. Found out the rotor read infinity between the two slip rings and the ignition was completely rusted.

Today I was riding around and WHAM. It dies out on me in the middle of a cruise. I had to ditch the bike and I'm charging the battery while I write this.

It's died in the middle of a ride on me before but has started back up immediately.

[tonycb650]

Sometimes a bad rotor can cause a reg/rect to go bad. I had to replace both on my 650 even though the po had replaced the reg/rect just before i got it.

[Logite]

I just rode the bike home tonight. Rotor is still at 5 ohms, still charges at 14.5v.

Can bikes rapidly discharge while they're off? I've also had issues with my bike shutting off while riding as well as erratic idling.

Let me also add I got 40 miles on 3 gallons of gas from last fillup. 

[Logite]

Battery was tested by batteries plus and came up fine.

Only thing I can seem to think of is the rotor shorting out when the bike gets too warm. Anybody have ideas as to what the possible problems I'm facing are?

[mystic_1]

Could be lots of different things, you'll have to do some more poking around and narrow down the problem.

Some people here have mentioned mounting a voltmeter so they could monitor charging performance, you could also rig an ammeter, same idea.  Won't necessarily tell you WHERE the problem is but should indicate WHEN it happens.

mystic_1

[Logite]

Could be lots of different things, you'll have to do some more poking around and narrow down the problem.

Some people here have mentioned mounting a voltmeter so they could monitor charging performance, you could also rig an ammeter, same idea.  Won't necessarily tell you WHERE the problem is but should indicate WHEN it happens.

mystic_1

Well that's unfortunate. I've had this bike for 2 months. Since then I've had absolutely zero mechanical knowledge at all. What course of action would you guys take to narrow down the possibilities?

How exactly do I test the rectifier? Regulator end is working. Not so sure how to test the rec.

[mystic_1]

How exactly do I test the rectifier? Regulator end is working. Not so sure how to test the rec.

Rectifier test procedures are usually in the shop manual.

Look here for yours:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0


mystic_1

[Logite]

I took my bike for a spin around the block a few times today after everything was charged up. Nothing was malfunctioning as far as I knew.

I took it on an open road at high speeds then the issues started showing themselves. Firstly my bike tops out at 55mph. I was in fourth gear, while at 4000rpm it topped out and started bucking back and forth. I slow to a stop and my bike shut off. Rode home and got out the DMM and the voltage fluctuated wildly as well as going past 15v at times. When I idle I also hear an odd tumbling noise.

Any ideas what's going on here? Seems like my issues may stem from the reg/rec at high speeds but what about the other stuff?

Edit: also there is white/grey smoke coming out of my two left exhausts. Same side the tumbling mouse is coming from possibly.

[Logite]

I went to test the ignition coils today (with 1 week old spark plugs, carbon fouled). I started up the bike and the most I got was a light yellow spark. Could this be the cause of the issues? It makes sense why the plugs are carbon fouled as well as the bike bottoming out under load.

I'm guessing they possibly got screwed up since the reg rec went bad. Perhaps that's why my bike shut off on me when I was really pushing it. Any insights on this theory? My 2 left exhausts seem to be dripping gas. I also get horrible mileage.

[Hush]

Damn, no bike should leak gas down into the exhaust system thats like building a bomb!
My guess (and my electrical experience is stuff all) is the coils are not in good condition.
The weak spark, lack of accerleration, poor gas milage, drained battery would lead me this way.
Lots of other possible causes and fun to be had chasing them.

[mystic_1]

Before we start suspecting the coils, how do you know that the regulator is working properly?  Have you tested the rectifier yet?  You mentioned an open circuit on the rotor, did you replace that?  If so, with a new one or used?  You mentioned wildly fluctuating voltage readings, and occasional overvolt conditions, sounds like reg/rec problems to me.

mystic_1

[Logite]

Before we start suspecting the coils, how do you know that the regulator is working properly?  Have you tested the rectifier yet?  You mentioned an open circuit on the rotor, did you replace that?  If so, with a new one or used?  You mentioned wildly fluctuating voltage readings, and occasional overvolt conditions, sounds like reg/rec problems to me.

mystic_1

I've tested the regulator and it seems to work. Before I start pushing the bike, at least.  I don't quite understand how to test the rec. I put an ohmmeter between the leads and don't get anything. Try giving me instructions on how to do it and I'll give it another shot.

I just replaced the rotor.

I'm sure the reg/rec is screwed but how can that affect the coils? I thought it just affected the battery.