Lost power?

[Headbanger02]

Need help, I was out riding today and was heading home and the speedo quit working and then about a mile later the bike suddenly stopped running, tried restarting it and got nothing, after sitting for a few minutes my dash starts working and it would just make ticking noise when trying to restart it, could it be the battery, altenater, loose wire etc. I'm not a mechanic, but I know it's not fuel related, was running fine and stopped with no warning, left me stranded,
 please help....Thanks Steve

[Ricky-D]

Sounds like the alternator gave up. Charge up the battery so you can start the engine and then check the output from the alternator at the battery terminals. It should be at least 14-1/2 volts dc at 1500-2000rpms. The best figure would be around 15-1/2 volts dc.  Easiest is to get the alternator rebuilt from M.A.R.S.

***

[Gavin_Sons]

Yes as ricky d said, sounds like alternator. First completly charge your battery and try to put a load on it with a small dc fan or something to make sure the battery is good. If it is bad the volts will drop to 11 or even 10 if you have a bad cell. Then do as Ricky said about checking volts while the alternator is charging battery. If itis the alternator I would go with one for a goldwing. All you have to do is unscrew 2 bolts and rotate the body so it matches the oem alternator.  They can be a little tricky getting out and putting back in.

[Headbanger02]

I haven't tested it yet, I'll need to get somebody to help me, I'm just mechanically dumb except for changing oil, the alternator however I probably could replace it if was a direct replacement, but yikes they cost an arm and a leg, I researched goldwing and the price is a lot better, but I'm like most women (and some guys) when you start talking about mechanical stuff, my eyes just kinda gloss over and it goes over my head.....but it does sound like it's the alternator.....

[Chrisj CMA]

If it is the alternator, just because it stopped working doesn't mean it needs to be replaced, it may just need brushes.  How many miles on that alternator?

[indybobm]

Do not forget to check the 55 amp dogbone fuse behind the right side cover. There is supposed to be a spare in the fuse cover.

[Headbanger02]

If it is the alternator, just because it stopped working doesn't mean it needs to be replaced, it may just need brushes.  How many miles on that alternator?

35,000

[Headbanger02]

Do not forget to check the 55 amp dogbone fuse behind the right side cover. There is supposed to be a spare in the fuse cover.

I'll have to get the book out and track down what you're talking about....
Ten minutes after it shut down, my dash started working, I guess the battery recuperated a little bit, made ticking noises when I tried to restart it, but not enough juice to fire it up, could the 55 amp dogbone fuse still be an issue?

[Steel cowboy]

Put out the word, (I guess I just did it for you) you need help in removing and or replacing the alternator. Some one in your area could give you a hand or point you in the right direction.

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[BonS]

I purchased my alternator from Rare Electrical. it's for a Goldwing but fits our Valkyrie. It's hard to beat their price @ $130 and shipping is free in the USA. The back end of the unit has to be "clocked" or turned to match the Valkyrie orientation. It's easy and only takes a couple of minutes to do.

http://www.rareelectrical.com/p-5408-new-alternator-91-00-honda-goldwing-g1500a-aspencade-31100-mt2-005-lr140-708.aspx

[Headbanger02]

I purchased my alternator from Rare Electrical. it's for a Goldwing but fits our Valkyrie. It's hard to beat their price @ $130 and shipping is free in the USA. The back end of the unit has to be "clocked" or turned to match the Valkyrie orientation. It's easy and only takes a couple of minutes to do.

http://www.rareelectrical.com/p-5408-new-alternator-91-00-honda-goldwing-g1500a-aspencade-31100-mt2-005-lr140-708.aspx

Compared to some of the prices I've been seeing 130.00 bucks is FANTASTIC 

[idaida98]

I would check your battery connections before you do anything.

[Tfrank59]

I'm confused. This gentleman got left stranded because either his alternator or battery (or perhaps some connection or fuse) failed.  Evidently it revived itself somehow, which in my mind points towards the battery or its connections. But here's my confusion, the bike won't run if either of these components fail – more to the point the engine will stop running?  I don't understand that, I just thought that once you turn off the motor it won't start again until these components are operational.  Somebody please clarify, and Headbanger I ask that you update us on what you learn and what the correct fix is.

[gordonv]

The battery is used to power the starter. Old way was a kick start, no battery.

Once it's running, the motor makes it's own power from the alt/stator. Battery can be removed.

If the alt/stator isn't supplying power, then it gets it's power from the battery, until there is not enough to power the coils for spark.

Our bikes will work with either one of the two components not working. But it will not work with both not working.

[Tfrank59]

Gordon, that explanation helps a lot thanks. So it's possible Headbangers alternator is not working properly, which led to his battery draining, which meant that there was not enough electricity for the coils to fire, which caused the motor to die, am I right?

[gordonv]

Yes.

Then after a short rest, it recovered enough to give the clicking.

In this case, start with a jump. Remove the cables and if it dies, then there is no alt power.

[Paladin528]

Same thing happenned to me a couple of weeks ago.  My I/S died.  Lost engine, dash, lights, everything.  No power at all.  Had to push her home the last few hundred yards.

The START RELAY had a meltdown.  That relay supplies ALL power to the bike.  If it goes you don't.
Replaced with a new relay and a new connector and away I went.
Have a look at the red connector on the start relay under the right side cover.  Make sure the contacts are clean and there is no burning.

[da prez]

  Alternator or not, go back to basics and remove  , clean and dia-electric all connections. The alternator charges the battery , it does not run the bike. The old test of removing the battery cable can cause an alternator failure. ( I am sure the arguments will soon start). Since 1992 (If I remember) alternators  have been downsized in weight and capacity has been increased for modern electronics.
 You should always start with a fully charged battery after an install. To many electrical problems are over looked by replacing a part and then having a failure later on and blaming the part and not the installer. If it failed , it may be old age , but all related items should be checked. A slow decline can lead to other failures.

                                                 da prez

[Headbanger02]

I thought I would give you a guys the courtesy of a follow up report... Ordered
 a new alternator from rare electrical as per the link that was given me 129.99 with free shipping, my mechanic, which is about 3 miles from my house told me to fully recharge the battery and ride it to his shop, he said I would probably have around 45 minutes of run time to do this before the battery runs down, replaced it and everything is running great, actually better then great, the spark plugs I'm guessing are now getting full juice and it run so much more crisp then before....sooooo it cost me 129.99 + 112.50 + 50.00 =  292.49, this was alternator, mechanic and the cost of a rollback to get me home, could have been way worse without your all help.....Thank you!

[Bighead]

  lotsa good help here all Ya Gots to do is ax