ALternator... I/S vs Standard

[Dan-bury]

I have an I/S and a friend gave me his old Alt. from his Standard that went bad. I sent it out and had it rebuilt. Now as I read through a search here I read that there may be a difference between the two.

The main reason for my question is, I have 93,000mi on my I/S now and have no Alt problems but a few friends caution me that if the Alt. goes on the road it will be hard to find a quick replacement. Soo  I plan to carry the rebuilt with me on my next trip in August. (Riding out to Sturges and Montana from Connecticut)  I have had my share of problems after changing parts that didn't need replacement and see no reason to replace a good Alt. at this time.
BUT.... I do not want to carry a spare that may not work. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the I/S Alt. and a Standard Alt. other than a noise suppressor????

Thank You
Dan A.
Danbury CT

[MP]

You answered your own question.  The only difference is the IS has a noise suppressor.  Change it over, and good to go!  Some have said they used one without the noise suppressor, and it was OK anyway on their IS.  But, if you have it, use it.

MP

[Dan-bury]

Thanks MP for the quick reply. I appreciate the info!!


Dan A.
Danbury, CT

[old2soon]

Even though it don't need changing at the present time I would like to offer up a suggestion.  If you have NEVER changed one out dry run it in the comfort of your garage/shed where your Lady resides in the winter. Changing it out in B F E presents another whole set of problems.  It can present new challenges you might not have thought of. I was in my shop with ALL my tools and to say the least it was INTERESTING.  And yes yer results could be way better than mine.    RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

If there is 93K miles on that altenator and it as never been touched....If I were you I would order brushes and as soon as they come in Id take that thing apart blow out all the dust and replace the brushes.  Cheap and easy and its time

[hubcapsc]

Changing out a whole alternator is hard because it is a tight fit, not because you need to be a rocket scientist.

Changing the brushes requires soldering... which to me is like being a rocket scientist... 

I have a spare alternator, I haven't boxed it up yet, but I plan to box it up for mailing,
and if I ever need it on the road get it overnighted to me... a drag but better than abandoning
my bike and hitchhiking home...

-Mike

[Bone]

Did the brushes in my 98 Tourer at 95k. They were real close to waiting to long.
The others made some good points. Change the brushes now in your garage. I had read many comments about the difficulties putting it back in the bike so I watched the removal closely. Sure enough there didn't seem to be enough room. Tilting the alt. to match the angle it had to be to come out let it slide in like I had done it many times.

[Chrisj CMA]

Changing out a whole alternator is hard because it is a tight fit, not because you need to be a rocket scientist.

Changing the brushes requires soldering... which to me is like being a rocket scientist...  

I have a spare alternator, I haven't boxed it up yet, but I plan to box it up for mailing,
and if I ever need it on the road get it overnighted to me... a drag but better than abandoning
my bike and hitchhiking home...

-Mike

yes it takes soldering.......BUT, If I can do it anyone can.  Its about the easiest solder jont there is...one would really have to try and mess it up.  The easist part to mess up would be to push the brush in too far.  If you go by the book they have you push it in the bare minimum for the sides to make it stable, deffinetly not past the holes

[Dan-bury]

Thank you all for some great tips.
I get the point of cleaning, or at least pulling apart for the experience while still at home,  BUT if I was to pull the Alt. to change the brushes I may as well just put in the rebuilt unit I was going to carry. 
I will do some thinking on this one.... The job itself doesn't bother me a bit. Even if out on the road. It isn't like i will be sitting in a puddle in some dirt pull off in the dark with a flashlite in my mouth changing Alternators. That's what cell phones and flat bed Haulers are for.

Again Thank You all, everyone has great input and I appreciate every response.

Dan A.
Danbury CT

[Chrisj CMA]

Thank you all for some great tips.
I get the point of cleaning, or at least pulling apart for the experience while still at home,  BUT if I was to pull the Alt. to change the brushes I may as well just put in the rebuilt unit I was going to carry.  
I will do some thinking on this one.... The job itself doesn't bother me a bit. Even if out on the road. It isn't like i will be sitting in a puddle in some dirt pull off in the dark with a flashlite in my mouth changing Alternators. That's what cell phones and flat bed Haulers are for.

Again Thank You all, everyone has great input and I appreciate every response.

Dan A.
Danbury CT

Changing brushes is something i do every 50-60K miles.  Very cheap insurance.  Its really a normal maintenance item if you want the alternator to continue to be trouble free.  Its not that big a deal.  But, I do agree with you.  If you arent going to change the brushes at 93K you should put the new alternator in.

[John Schmidt]

If it were me, at that mileage I definitely would make the change. Then do the brush change on the one you have been running for the last 93k and use it for the backup if you feel it's necessary. That way you're starting fresh and also have a good backup on the shelf. When I travel, I always carry spare brushes, spare u-joint, some odds and ends of wire and connectors, elec. tape, fuses and some extra tools and batteries. Oh....and wheel bearings plus my homemade bearing remover. With my centerstand I can change the rear tire and/or bearings without a lift. Thankfully, so far I've not needed to use any of it myself, but have helped others that were stranded. 

[xman]

Thank you all for some great tips.
I get the point of cleaning, or at least pulling apart for the experience while still at home,  BUT if I was to pull the Alt. to change the brushes I may as well just put in the rebuilt unit I was going to carry.  
I will do some thinking on this one.... The job itself doesn't bother me a bit. Even if out on the road. It isn't like i will be sitting in a puddle in some dirt pull off in the dark with a flashlite in my mouth changing Alternators. That's what cell phones and flat bed Haulers are for.

Again Thank You all, everyone has great input and I appreciate every response.

Dan A.
Danbury CT

Changing brushes is something i do every 50-60K miles.  Very cheap insurance.  Its really a normal maintenance item if you want the alternator to continue to be trouble free.  Its not that big a deal.  But, I do agree with you.  If you arent going to change the brushes at 93K you should put the new alternator in.

Chris, where do you buy the brushes?

[Dan-bury]

I hear ya John, I carry a small parts dept. myself. I have changed rear wheel bearings on the road, as well as a simple Kickstand post and spring.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. As long as it doesn't keep me down more than a day I can deal.

[Chrisj CMA]

I get the brushes from Honda Direct Line...like $5 or so

[Hoser]

Thank you all for some great tips.
I get the point of cleaning, or at least pulling apart for the experience while still at home,  BUT if I was to pull the Alt. to change the brushes I may as well just put in the rebuilt unit I was going to carry.  
I will do some thinking on this one.... The job itself doesn't bother me a bit. Even if out on the road. It isn't like i will be sitting in a puddle in some dirt pull off in the dark with a flashlite in my mouth changing Alternators. That's what cell phones and flat bed Haulers are for.

Again Thank You all, everyone has great input and I appreciate every response.

Dan A.
Danbury CT

I have been carrying my spare on trips for 3 years now.  Had 82,000 miles when I started carrying it, got 114,500 now, still carrying it.  Hoser   

[pancho]

If it were me, at that mileage I definitely would make the change. Then do the brush change on the one you have been running for the last 93k and use it for the backup if you feel it's necessary. That way you're starting fresh and also have a good backup on the shelf. When I travel, I always carry spare brushes, spare u-joint, some odds and ends of wire and connectors, elec. tape, fuses and some extra tools and batteries. Oh....and wheel bearings plus my homemade bearing remover. With my centerstand I can change the rear tire and/or bearings without a lift. Thankfully, so far I've not needed to use any of it myself, but have helped others that were stranded. 

Yep,,   this is my kind of place/bike/people