Question on Charging/Battery System

[Tony C.]

I've got a question on the charging/battery system that you guys can probably help with.  The Valkyrie is 17 years old with 96,000 miles plus on it.  The alternator is original and has never been serviced.  I'm on my second battery which is probably 9 or 10 years old.  Unfortunately I didn't mark the data or mileage at which I replace the battery.

Last Saturday I was out for a ride.  I got turned round with road detours and lost my way a bit.  I was thus riding around pretty slowly looking to retrace my route.  I looked down at my charging monitor and the two bottom red lights were flashing.  I'd never seen that before and though sh*t, that can't be good.



I shut off my auxilary running lights (110 watts total), retraced my route and got up to speed.  After about 5 minutes of normal riding, the charging monitor glowed green again and thankfully stayed green for the rest of the days riding, about 90 miles.  On the way home I made three stops and turned off the bike, hoping it would start again.  Thankfully it did.  The starer motor cranked normally and no battery degradation during starting was noticed.

Since the Honda battery is 9 to 10 years old, I figured replacing it is probably a no brainer.  Do you think that could be was caused the charging meter to show low, or would you recommend alternator service?  I would prefer to do that during the off-season, but if it has to get done now, so be it.  I'm a little nervous about taking a long ride given what happened last week.  Thankfully I do have towing through the AMA so a breakdown would not be terrible, just inconvenient.

What do you guys recommend?

 

[idaida98]

I would 1 buy a battery after having a load test done 2 pull the alternator and check the brushes 3 sell that nice clean tourer to me.

[baldo]

I would 1 buy a battery after having a load test done 2 pull the alternator and check the brushes 3 sell that nice clean tourer to me.

You beat me to it.....

[Andy Cote]

I have that same model meter on my Valk and trust it about as much as I trust a politician.  Mine goes the other way (overcharging bright blue) when it feels like it and then comes back to normal.  I rigged up my toolbox multimeter and found no cause to worry.  I like having it but will probably rip it out at some point.

I have the other style (numerical LCD readout with temp) on my Goldwing.  Equally reliable and worthless.

[The emperor has no clothes]

96k on a original alternator ? I'd say you are due for brushes for sure.

[GaryC]

Wow Tony, you still have the original alternator!  I had a failure somewhere around 20k miles which would have been two years old.  It does't owe you anything replace it. It's the only time Honda let me down in 17 years and over 100k miles.

[RickT2004]

I still have my original as well and on my second battery. First battery was 11 years and now have a Die hard with 6 years.

[Dan-bury]

I had just over 107 thousand on my stock alternator when I sold the bike and at 110,000 it gave up.  I also had the same Kury gauge and also put one on my F6B as it has been pretty close to actual voltage compared to my shop meter, but depends on where you tied into the electrical system.
My guess is your battery is ready to go for sure but your Alternator my also be warning you... As the Alt gets a build up of dust and dirt and wears the brushes down output will suffer at low RPM and IF your cooling fan was also running at that lower RPM then voltage may drop enough for the Meter to warn you.
And last is to check battery and ground connections. Corrosion at ground connections will cut down voltage and hide electrical issues.

[Tony C.]

Thanks for your comments and advice.  Looks like I've got to pull the alternator and have it serviced.  Question, the manual says that I need to remove the center cover to get the alternator out.  Have you guys found that that removal of the center cover is necessary?  I'd like to be able to skip that step if possible simply as a time saver.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks.

 

[idaida98]

Tony your post on the alternator got me thinking about mine at 83,ooo. I have been wanting to pull mine for  awhile so today I pulled mine and took it to an alternator shop that I have delt with in the past. The answer to your question is no. The manual also says to disconnect the wires first but I found  it just as easy to leave that until I got the alternator out. Not much wiggle room to work but you 'll get it I 'm sure. Good luck.

[Tony C.]

Tony your post on the alternator got me thinking about mine at 83,ooo. I have been wanting to pull mine for  awhile so today I pulled mine and took it to an alternator shop that I have delt with in the past. The answer to your question is no. The manual also says to disconnect the wires first but I found  it just as easy to leave that until I got the alternator out. Not much wiggle room to work but you 'll get it I 'm sure. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice.  How long did it take for you to pull it out?  Can I take it to any alternator repair shop or do I have to take it to an motorcycle repair shop?  There's and MC repair shop in Framingham that services Hondas, but I'm concerned about over paying for service based on the reputation.

[baldo]

Tony your post on the alternator got me thinking about mine at 83,ooo. I have been wanting to pull mine for  awhile so today I pulled mine and took it to an alternator shop that I have delt with in the past. The answer to your question is no. The manual also says to disconnect the wires first but I found  it just as easy to leave that until I got the alternator out. Not much wiggle room to work but you 'll get it I 'm sure. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice.  How long did it take for you to pull it out?  Can I take it to any alternator repair shop or do I have to take it to an motorcycle repair shop?  There's and MC repair shop in Framingham that services Hondas, but I'm concerned about over paying for service based on the reputation.

Tony, I think you'd be better served if you found a local shop that services starters and alternators...I have a local shop that has fixed many spinning electrical devices for me over the years. Very reasonable, less than $100 each time.

[Tony C.]

Thanks Baldo.  The alternator is out of the bike sitting on my bench.  It was difficult to get out.  The dowel pins were fused into the engine casing.  I used pry bar to get it out.  Then angling out was a bitch. Start to finish took about 45 minutes.  Getting the freaking thing back in is going to be tough.

I haven't been able to find a local electric repair shop online.  I'll keep looking.

 

[idaida98]

Tony call me 401 231 2961

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks Baldo.  The alternator is out of the bike sitting on my bench.  It was difficult to get out.  The dowel pins were fused into the engine casing.  I used pry bar to get it out.  Then angling out was a bitch. Start to finish took about 45 minutes.  Getting the freaking thing back in is going to be tough.

I haven't been able to find a local electric repair shop online.  I'll keep looking.

 

You are right. Going back in is harder. Try to remember the way you had to angle it out and reverse that putting it back in. The first time I did it was pretty smooth and easy. Every other time not so much. Try to be careful with the o-ring. If you nick it up you'll have to do it all over again.

[Dave jones]

If you end up having to buy a new alternator, (As I did.) here is some advice I got from Larry and it paid off.  BUY ONE FOR A 1500 G/W.  It was half the price at a dealership and gives a higher output.  Just put it on the bench and turn it 90 degrees.  It will then, match your old one and fit your Valkyrie.  *I have that same Kury voltmeter, in both my Valkyrie & Roadliner.  How sweet they are.   

[dalai-lama]

Takes about 15 minutes to replace the brushes.  You do need to remember to remove the paper clip holding the brushes back BEFORE you cut the extra off the brushes.  A simple soldering iron is used to solder the leads.

Mine alternator has about 131K on it.  I did buy a rebuilt one from MARS with the higher output and that one bit the dust after about 9K miles on it.  Mine was about 3/4" at 86K miles on it.   I guess it is about time I pull it again at some point.

Oh and mine had one of the bolts fused to the block and it snapped and I had to drill and tap the mount.   Filled it with JB weld and drilled and tapped that and that has been no issue for almost 45K miles.   Glad that did not happen to you Tony!

[Tony C.]

Thanks Brett.  If I had to drill a bolt out, re-tap and replace it,  I'd be a basket case.  I don't like to wrench.  I like to ride.    Have already pulled and replaced the rear tire and changed the coolant and final drive oil this season.  I also have to replace all the hydraulic fluid.  Last time I did this I had some challenges.

I dropped of the alternative at an MC repair shop in Medway on Saturday.  The owner wasn't there, only a teenager who didn't know if they did that type of work.  The owner called on Monday, Thyy don't do that kind of work.  I picked it up today and met Al from RI at his work in Medway.  He had also pulled his alternator with 83K and dropped it at an alternator repair shop in RI for an inspection.  While we were talking he got a call from the shop.  They inspected his alternator and said the brushes were fine and did not need replacing.  He's going to pick his up and drop mine for inspection.  I'm happy to have the shop that knows what it's doing take care off it.  I don't want to try to fix it on my own.

Given my schedule, next time I ride the bike probably won't be until August.  Glad I got a short ride in on July 3rd, because I think that will be the only ride this month. After I get the alternator back-in, going to replace the battery, too.

 

[dalai-lama]

If you want the brushes changed, order the brushes and we will figure out how to get the alternator to me and I will change them for you.  I won't put the alternator back in however   That is a task that is best left to someone who does not swear like I do.

[Tony C.]

Thanks Brett for your offer to help.    Given both of our busy schedules, I've asked Al to drop off the alternative for inspection/service at the shop in RI.  He's doing that today.

 

[idaida98]

 Well Brett while installing my alternator I was thinking of your words about swearing. I was thinking that I would have you beat in that department and low a behold I hit that sweet spot and it lined right up and in it went. It must have been luck going in because it seemed like luck to get it out.I hope Tony has the same luck as me. I actually checked the time I started the procedure and it took 23 minutes.

[dalai-lama]

Yup, I've had them go in okay and then again, I had those damn rubber/plastic wedges just not want to move out of the way to get the alternator in.  Those times I think it might be easier to pull the motor (which is not that hard by the way )