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lucky_1_chris
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« on: January 03, 2012, 11:24:59 AM » |
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Battery crapped out on me this a.m. Did a couple hundred miles on Saturday, no problems at all. Sunday morning I pulled the bike out to take my wife to her car and it started up, but ran really rough. I reached down to make sure the fuel was on but the screw in the fuel selector vibrated out and it just just spin in my hand. Screw it back in, restart, and after a few seconds it ran fine. I figured the problem was the fuel still being off and didn't give it a second thought 'til this morning. First attempt this morning it spun over quickly, but no fire. Second attempt the spins started slowing and I knew I was boned. Yay.
I have no idea how old the battery is, but it hasn't given me a single problem 'til now. I planned on replacing soon as a precaution because I couldn't determine the age, so no biggie there. I am, however, worried that I may have a problem with the charging system. When I get the new battery in tonight I'll know for sure....
In case I need one, I understand that an alternator for some models of the 1500 Wing will fit with little modification, correct? Is it really as simple as unbolting the front cover and spinning it a third of a turn? Is there any modification to the GW alternator's wiring harness needed, and is the output the same or better as a '99 I/S. Sorry for all the questions, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the price difference if the two alternators are virtually identical.
Thanks for any input,
Chris
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« Last Edit: January 03, 2012, 06:14:45 PM by lucky_1_chris »
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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Farther
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« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2012, 11:36:21 AM » |
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This doesn't answer your questions but check out this site for Mortorcycle Alternator Repair Service (MARS) : http://mysite.verizon.net/resp3jbj/ |
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Thanks,
~Farther
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2012, 11:50:12 AM » |
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Gracias. I'll keep him in mind. |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2012, 03:04:01 PM » |
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2012, 03:14:39 PM » |
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You didn't mention the age or mileage on this monster, or just missed it.. Batteries fail..Alternators tend to fail less often.. When the engine is running check the voltage across the battery, it should be in the 14-14.5 range at around 3000.. If you want to play with alternator and it is working now then replacing bearings and brushes isn't too hard once that critter is out and on the bench..
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Brewer
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« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2012, 03:42:02 PM » |
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Chris,
As a recent battery replacement has caused me to wonder about my charging system health I thought I'd offer a suggestion.
Many auto parts stores offer a free diagnostic on charging systems (the Dealer wanted me to pay) I just returned from the parts store and the little computer they use has the atx14-bs battery already set up.
The only trouble was the large size clamps they have are a trick for staying in place during the test.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Brewer
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Brewer - it is a hobby
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2012, 06:02:28 PM » |
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Doesn't look good. New battery is installed and fully charged....well 12.8 with the bike off. Once the bike is started voltage drops to 11.96, and incremently falls to 11.9 when slowly revved up to 5k RPMs. Alternator fuse is good. There is voltage at the fuse.
Can anyone point me at the White alternator connector? I've only got the PDF manual, and I can't make out anything from the picture of it.
Gracias
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2012, 06:32:17 PM » |
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You didn't mention the age or mileage on this monster, or just missed it.. Batteries fail..Alternators tend to fail less often.. When the engine is running check the voltage across the battery, it should be in the 14-14.5 range at around 3000.. If you want to play with alternator and it is working now then replacing bearings and brushes isn't too hard once that critter is out and on the bench..
99 I/S 43k miles. |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2012, 07:12:52 PM » |
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I don't know where the white connector is. My only idea is to shake things around a little bit at the top of the starter relay. Corrosion there might be causing your problems. It caused my bike to run rough and die a time or two before I found it.
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964  |
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RP#62
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« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2012, 09:42:00 PM » |
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2012, 09:16:49 AM » |
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You don't have to take a volt reading at the battery.
You can take a reading at the large fuse or any place closer to the alternator including at the alternator.
Rebuilding is the best at MARS.
***
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2012, 10:03:30 AM » |
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Found the white connector...duh  No corrosion, and had a good connection. I'm ASSuming it's just a bad alternator at this point, and a rebuilt unit from MARS will be here Friday. I hope there aren't any other electrical issues contributing to my problem, and a swap out will fix me up. Should be good to go this weekend... Thanks all for your input. |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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Rocketman
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« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2012, 08:59:42 AM » |
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Certainly sounds like a dead alt. Concur on the MARS rebuild. Get one from him, and you should be back in business.
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RainMaker
Member
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2012, 09:26:11 AM » |
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I have a MARS rebuilt in my saddlebag in case you want to work on it earlier. Then I can take the one you get on Friday.
RainMaker in Arlington
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1 |
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DFragn
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« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2012, 12:09:16 PM » |
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Just a thought. I replaced my brushes at about 45k. They were worn to the indicators, but the alternator was still performing. If you pull the alternator to replace or ship for refurbish it wouldn't take much more to at least inspect those 2 brushes. If you can solder you can replace them yourself. Visual Aid: http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/alternator/alternatorservice.htm |
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #15 on: January 05, 2012, 05:34:52 PM » |
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I have a MARS rebuilt in my saddlebag in case you want to work on it earlier. Then I can take the one you get on Friday.
RainMaker in Arlington
Thank you very much for the offer but, unfortunately, I wont have time to get on it 'til this weekend. Had I actually gone on that ride Sunday I may have had to get the bike towed home... |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #16 on: January 05, 2012, 05:44:14 PM » |
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Just a thought. I replaced my brushes at about 45k. They were worn to the indicators, but the alternator was still performing. If you pull the alternator to replace or ship for refurbish it wouldn't take much more to at least inspect those 2 brushes. If you can solder you can replace them yourself. Visual Aid: http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/alternator/alternatorservice.htmI gotta send the bad unit back to MARS. I've never been real good at soldering... I'm sure the cheapest option would've been to replace just the faulty component(s) in the alternator, but I don't possess the kinda skills to do it myself, and with just the one car I had to go with the quickest fix. |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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john
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« Reply #17 on: January 05, 2012, 10:21:01 PM » |
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99 I/S 43k miles. Alternator failure ?  that just don't sound right ....  poor connection somewhere ...  |
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vrcc # 19002
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lucky_1_chris
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« Reply #18 on: January 06, 2012, 05:39:38 PM » |
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99 I/S 43k miles. Alternator failure ? that just don't sound right .... poor connection somewhere ... I'll know for sure soon enough. No way of actually knowing if that mileage is accurate or not. I'm sure it is, but ya never know on a 13 yr. old 3 owner bike. |
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #19 on: January 07, 2012, 08:10:32 AM » |
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I gotta send the bad unit back to MARS. I've never been real good at soldering... I'm sure the cheapest option would've been to replace just the faulty component(s) in the alternator, but I don't possess the kinda skills to do it myself, and with just the one car I had to go with the quickest fix.
From my conversations with the MARS guy,, it seems most of the alternator problems originate with the armature where the wire winding gets broken or something like that. Most likely the stator is in Ok condition. *** |
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #20 on: January 07, 2012, 09:06:37 AM » |
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There was an article years ago about where the windings separate and there is plenty of material to re-solder the connections..
I was going to mention about heat soaking the alternator attachment bolts before trying to remove them, sometimes it helps.. But, 2 bolts will hold it..
A little solder, brushes, bearings and most can be put back in service..
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Rocketman
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« Reply #21 on: January 08, 2012, 09:36:19 AM » |
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99 I/S 43k miles. Alternator failure ? that just don't sound right .... poor connection somewhere ... I'll know for sure soon enough. No way of actually knowing if that mileage is accurate or not. I'm sure it is, but ya never know on a 13 yr. old 3 owner bike. I had one fail at 16k. I thought that was the recod, but someone else piped up that theirs failed at 12k. They seem rather random for mileage, from what I can tell. |
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