Taking carbs out, diverted by being clumsy.

[Chippy01]

I've been having running issues with my Magna and Valk. After much checking, I put it down to possible dirty carbs.
A few days back I removed the carbs on the Magna, stripped and cleaned them, bench synched them and put them back in. The Magna is now running like a top.

Today, I started on removing the carbs on the Valk.
Stupidly, I dropped a small part behind the alternator. Probing and fishing were to of no avail, and I ended up nudging it out of sight, meaning that I had to pull the alternator. Those who have done this, knows the swear words it takes to get that baby out. (This being my first time doing this).

I noticed however, when it was out, the smaller of the two wires that connect to it, was holding on by about two strands - right at the connector block!!!
Luckily, I had a spare spade connector which I managed to solder up and still use the connector cover.
Does anyone know what would be the result if that small cable let go while up and running? What does it do?

That small part that I dropped, had lodged itself within the group of hoses behind and to the right of the alternator - I would never of found it.

Hopefully, carbs will be out tomorrow.

[Bagger John - #3785]

That sounds like it's the regulator sense wire.

If it wasn't present, the charging system won't function properly.

And I believe your dropping the part into a position which facilitated discovery of the fault is called "serendipity". 

[Chrisj CMA]

If I were you I would cease carb removal. Button everything up and see I’d that wiring crisis was the cause of the trouble you are trying to fix

[Chippy01]

If I were you I would cease carb removal. Button everything up and see I’d that wiring crisis was the cause of the trouble you are trying to fix

The trouble I was having is an intermittent misfire - sort of. It can't be pinned down to any particular scenario - accelerating, coasting, cruising, starting, - it kind of does it's own thing.

The Valk hasn't been getting regular use of late, and my '88 Magna was much the same. Locked up in the garage for months on end looking sorry for themselves.
A few weeks ago, I decided to give them both some much needed road time. A quick check over and some fresh fuel, and awayyyyyyyyy!!
But then I noticed that BOTH bikes were suffering the same intermittent misfire.
I checked all the easy bits - plugs, coils, etc, and all the electrics check out fine.

So I pulled the carbs on the Magna, stripped them down, cleaned them out (whether it looked like they needed cleaning or not) bench synched them, put them back in and went on a 100km - about 60mile - test ride.
And the bike ran like a dream. Instant start. No coughing. No spluttering. No hesitation. Non of the previous intermittent misfire at all.
Same issue with the Valk? Only one way to find out.

So, here I am, carbs are now out on the bench, stripped and cleaned. That was the easy bit, putting it all back together is when the fun starts - of that I am sure!

[Chrisj CMA]

I was thinking maybe it was an amp it voltage irregularity because of that faulty wiring

[srteach]

Finding ANY problem in the shop (garage) is millions of times better than on the side of the road.

IF the wire was the one I am thinking of, a break would cause the alt to shut off (not charge). Good find.