Electrics are dead
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
Electrics are dead
So, I just finished unloading my hawk off of a flat bed and back into the garage. I was on my way home when I noticed my tach was sitting at zero. Next I hit the turn signal and my spedo starting pulsing with it. When I shut it off it sat at zero. I had the sinking feeling my lights were not on and soon I would be out of juice. As I pulled off the freeway I down shifted and the bike gurgled a few back fires and died.
It seems pretty clear cut that my alternator died, but being new to superhawks I figured I would post my problem here and have a beer before I thought too hard about it. Any input on similar experiences is of course appreciated.
Thanks,
Kendrick
It seems pretty clear cut that my alternator died, but being new to superhawks I figured I would post my problem here and have a beer before I thought too hard about it. Any input on similar experiences is of course appreciated.
Thanks,
Kendrick
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
Check your R/R first.... your symtoms are classic failure of the R/R and then running on the battery untill you killed it. There are quite a few threads you can search here to find out about this problem.
Also check the Electrex website for a diagram on how to diagnos your R/R, you'll just need a voltmeter and it takes about 5 minutes. I'd say the odds it's a R/R failure is 90%. You might also want to buy a new battery if the one you have is old... this will aviod killing the new R/R if you buy one.
Also check the Electrex website for a diagram on how to diagnos your R/R, you'll just need a voltmeter and it takes about 5 minutes. I'd say the odds it's a R/R failure is 90%. You might also want to buy a new battery if the one you have is old... this will aviod killing the new R/R if you buy one.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
Thanks SlowHAWK,
Your problem sounds exactly like mine, but I was too lazy to push it anywhere. Some problems are easier to throw money at, so I called in a flat bed. I'll probably just buy a new battery and R/R and hope for the best.
Kendrick
Your problem sounds exactly like mine, but I was too lazy to push it anywhere. Some problems are easier to throw money at, so I called in a flat bed. I'll probably just buy a new battery and R/R and hope for the best.
Kendrick
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
I don't know, a new one may be worth the extra money verses worrying about a used one letting me down again. How used do you mean and how much do you want for it? $100 dollars or whatever for a new one might be worth the piece of mind.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
If you do order a new Honda one get a later one '02 and up had a better one with nice cooling fins - honda eventually woke up to the problem and redesigned it.
Originally Posted by Kendrick
I don't know, a new one may be worth the extra money verses worrying about a used one letting me down again. How used do you mean and how much do you want for it? $100 dollars or whatever for a new one might be worth the piece of mind.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
From: East Tennessee
Consider NOT using a Honda R/R as your replacement. Many folks replace them with R1 units (can't remember the years, something like '97 - '99 but you'll need to check), thye're not only less expensive (about $70) but made better and have cooling fins.
some details here:
http://www.vlc.com.au/~justin/about/...g_replace.html
some details here:
http://www.vlc.com.au/~justin/about/...g_replace.html
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,572
From: Buffalo, NY
The R1 units are better made but I believe larger in physical size (may need to relocate it elsewhere) and will need some rewiring. I haven't heard of many '02 and later redesigned finned units failing. Just my $.02
Originally Posted by 99Hawk
Consider NOT using a Honda R/R as your replacement. Many folks replace them with R1 units (can't remember the years, something like '97 - '99 but you'll need to check), thye're not only less expensive (about $70) but made better and have cooling fins.
some details here:
http://www.vlc.com.au/~justin/about/...g_replace.html
some details here:
http://www.vlc.com.au/~justin/about/...g_replace.html
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
Well I pulled off the r/r. It's pretty clear it is the problem as one of the wires is melted. The connector for the top right yellow wire is scorched and the casing in the connector body is totally melted. Now, does anyone have any advice on repairing the wiring harness before I put the new r/r on?
Kendrick
Kendrick
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
Oh by the way I did order a new Honda r/r. The part numbers for 1997-2000 and 2002-2005 are now the same so it appears honda has updated the part, however 2001 has a different number. Does any know why? I was kind of under the assumption the SH has been the same through its production besides slight color changes. (I did very specifically order the post 2002 all the same)
Kendrick
Kendrick
Administrator
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,402
From: Kempner, TX
Originally Posted by Kendrick
Well I pulled off the r/r. It's pretty clear it is the problem as one of the wires is melted. The connector for the top right yellow wire is scorched and the casing in the connector body is totally melted. Now, does anyone have any advice on repairing the wiring harness before I put the new r/r on?
Kendrick
Kendrick
I buy most of my wiring stuff on line at http://www.waytekwire.com
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MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Originally Posted by Kendrick
Well I pulled off the r/r. It's pretty clear it is the problem as one of the wires is melted. The connector for the top right yellow wire is scorched and the casing in the connector body is totally melted. Now, does anyone have any advice on repairing the wiring harness before I put the new r/r on?
Kendrick
Kendrick
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ght=superbling
Thread Starter
The Hypno-Toad
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 467
From: Milwaukee, WI
Okay, one week later, a new battery and regulator are in and off I go for the night. Hopefully I won't be returning with a flat bed this time. As always thanks to all for advice.
Kendrick
Kendrick
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 442
From: 58 miles from Deals Gap
wow it looks like the R/R is a common problem on the SH. Let me know how it turns out. Hopefully I'll get mine fixed this week. BTW here's a link to my ongoing issue
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=3208
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ead.php?t=3208
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