|
Gideon
|
 |
« on: April 30, 2016, 04:51:16 PM » |
|
Has anyone purchased an alternator from a company called California Alternator and Starter?
They have "New" Valkyrie alternators for $150. They also sell car alternators and starters on Ebay.
My local Honda Dealer is asking $625.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
|
|
|
|
BonS
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2016, 05:03:07 PM » |
|
Yes. They have Gold Wing alternators for even less. However, they need to be "clocked" to match the Valkyrie orientation. This involves removing four screws and rotating the back end of the alternator case to match the Valkyrie orientation. Easy to do and worth the effort.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2016, 06:50:32 PM » |
|
I would go with the goldwing style.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
jdp
|
|
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2016, 07:08:35 PM » |
|
So f I get am alternator for a gold wing what year do I ask for and is there a write up on this? Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
|
|
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2016, 07:57:40 PM » |
|
Here is a pic of a GW and Valkyrie alternator.  You can see the front is the same, but the rear, where the wires connect are in a different location. I believe it's not the 4 bolts, but those 3 Phillip head bolts, that you remove, and rotate it one hole till it matches the alternator for the bike you are installing it into. As for which GW alt (or was it a different post?), they are all the same, a GL1500. GW is from 88'-00'. If you have a radio on your bike, you want that capacitor you see there. I would be hesitant to buy a new alt, I would rather R&R my own from the bike. I think I paid $25 for a spare, which I could rebuild. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: April 30, 2016, 08:01:27 PM by gordonv »
|
Logged
|
1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
|
|
|
Bighead
|
|
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2016, 10:25:26 PM » |
|
Why would you be hesitant to buy a new one? Just curios.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
|
|
|
gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
|
|
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2016, 10:30:27 AM » |
|
Why would you be hesitant to buy a new one? Just curios.
Why would I hesitate? Well, an inexpensive alternator I feel would be a cheap alt. An used alt, build to some major corp standards, I would expect would be built to a higher std. A alt has how many moving parts, and how many of those actually wear out? The winding, the bearings, and the brushes. Only the brushes and the (what do you call it) "pick ups" on the winding-to-brush, wear. Bearings should last forever, just like the windings, but sometimes there's failures. The brushes are cheap, and are actually easy to replace. My only concern is with the soldier they say to use. I have lead/acid core for electrical work. I have lead from casting bullets. Also have lead/tin for plumbing. All have a different melt point, so which one do I use, or does it really matter. Pre lead the brush tail, remove the old one, and using the same old soldier, melt it in. I think I paid $25 for my spare GW alt, because I wrecked my old Valk alt taking it apart. I want to be able to swap it out when I need one, then rebuild the removed one, so I have the spare again. The job is very easy, with the hardest part being in the removal/installation in the Valkyrie. Limited tools required. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: May 01, 2016, 11:10:58 AM by gordonv »
|
Logged
|
1999 Black with custom paint IS |
|
|
|
Red Diamond
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2016, 12:49:40 PM » |
|
I was told by a rep of the Rareelectrical company that the Goldwing 1500 and Valkyrie are indeed the same alternators, they just don't make that public information. So why not buy the Goldwing alt that is cheaper.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 If you are riding and it is a must that you keep your eyes on the road, you are riding too fast. |
|
|
|
big poppa pump
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2016, 02:09:38 PM » |
|
Just bought a high output 95 Amp Goldwing alternator from RareElectrical. Nice to have this since I can carry it as a spare when I leave for Inzane next month.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
VRCC#35870 VRCCDS#0266 1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod  |
|
|
Jabba
Member
Posts: 3563
VRCCDS0197
Greenwood Indiana
|
|
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2016, 10:51:28 AM » |
|
I have heard some BAD things about the knock off alternators. You can SEE the differences.
Anyone of you guys that HAVE the $130 versions have them installed for any length of time? I found new Hitachi (OEM) 40 amp alternators for the Goldwing for $244. an extra $100 is worth it to me to get OEM.
I am on the search for one RIGHT NOW.
Jabba
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
The emperor has no clothes
|
|
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2016, 01:33:43 PM » |
|
I have heard some BAD things about the knock off alternators. You can SEE the differences.
Anyone of you guys that HAVE the $130 versions have them installed for any length of time? I found new Hitachi (OEM) 40 amp alternators for the Goldwing for $244. an extra $100 is worth it to me to get OEM.
I am on the search for one RIGHT NOW.
Jabba
Ive had one of them for about a year and a half. It did have the nut that attaches the drive to it come loose. Had to take it out and tighten it up. Other than that its been fine. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Jabba
Member
Posts: 3563
VRCCDS0197
Greenwood Indiana
|
|
« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2016, 05:47:15 PM » |
|
I ordered a new one from partzilla today. One for a 1500 goldwing. I can reclock it. $244. Now I wait... Although I have had a couple offers from fellow VRCC folks to send me one to get me going sooner. You guys are awesome... but I have the wing to ride. I can wait a week. and wait... ???  Jabba |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
BonS
|
|
« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2016, 06:47:19 PM » |
|
I ordered a new one from partzilla today. One for a 1500 goldwing. I can reclock it. $244. Now I wait... Although I have had a couple offers from fellow VRCC folks to send me one to get me going sooner. You guys are awesome... but I have the wing to ride. I can wait a week. and wait... ??? Jabba You gotta' let us know if it's a Hitachi and if it's made in Japan. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
gordonv
Member
Posts: 5760
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
|
|
« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2016, 07:19:42 PM » |
|
I read somewhere yesterday, think it was goldwingdoc, where the alt was from Japan from 88'-95', then China after that.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 07:26:03 PM by gordonv »
|
Logged
|
1999 Black with custom paint IS |
|
|
John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15207
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
|
|
« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2016, 08:32:10 PM » |
|
I ordered a new one from partzilla today. One for a 1500 goldwing. I can reclock it. $244. Now I wait... Although I have had a couple offers from fellow VRCC folks to send me one to get me going sooner. You guys are awesome... but I have the wing to ride. I can wait a week. and wait... ??? Jabba Jabba, before ordering anything from Partzilla or anywhere else, check with Procaliber.com Their GW alternator is $20 less with free shipping. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
|
|
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2018, 07:25:09 PM » |
|
Last August I was 25 miles down the road from home heading on a holiday to Whidby Island WA when my guages went out. Not long after the bike started to surge. I knew what was going right away and confirmed it when I pulled over. The alternator went out with 59K miles on the bike. I phoned around to various starter/alternator rebuild shops and couldn't get a straight answer from any of them. One last call and the guy just simply said "bring it in, I'll fix it for you"...I knew this was the guy!!
I got it back 2 days later with the stator rewound and new bearings installed. The guy said that the wire on the stator windings was too thin, and the reason the alternator failed. He sent me out the door with a 1 year warranty...175 bucks later...damn good deal I thought. My local Honda dealer wanted $850!!
I looked at buying an after market replacement but a large number comments on pretty much every site complained about early failures on every one of these pieces of crap. I think I made the right choice by having the OEM Hitachi rebuilt.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: January 17, 2018, 07:33:11 PM by 7th_son »
|
Logged
|
Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
|
|
|
|
signart
|
|
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2018, 06:33:42 AM » |
|
Last August I was 25 miles down the road from home heading on a holiday to Whidby Island WA when my guages went out. Not long after the bike started to surge. I knew what was going right away and confirmed it when I pulled over. The alternator went out with 59K miles on the bike. I phoned around to various starter/alternator rebuild shops and couldn't get a straight answer from any of them. One last call and the guy just simply said "bring it in, I'll fix it for you"...I knew this was the guy!!
I got it back 2 days later with the stator rewound and new bearings installed. The guy said that the wire on the stator windings was too thin, and the reason the alternator failed. He sent me out the door with a 1 year warranty...175 bucks later...damn good deal I thought. My local Honda dealer wanted $850!!
I looked at buying an after market replacement but a large number comments on pretty much every site complained about early failures on every one of these pieces of crap. I think I made the right choice by having the OEM Hitachi rebuilt.
Good luck with the replacement bearings. A couple rebuilders I know say failure rates are way above any oem bearings, because of unobtainable quality replacements. Seriously, hope you have good results. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Alberta Patriot
Member
Posts: 1438
Say What You mean Mean What You Say
Rockyview County, Alberta 2001 Interstate
|
|
« Reply #18 on: January 18, 2018, 12:13:55 PM » |
|
This guy warranties his work for a year, so I am thinking that he is not using crap parts.
Actually...the number one complaint that I saw on replacement non OEM alternators was the bearings failing ...I damn sure am not going to fork out $850 for an alternator from the Honda Stealership.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: January 18, 2018, 07:57:22 PM by 7th_son »
|
Logged
|
Say what you mean, Mean what you say.
|
|
|
|
