home from Inzane, I owe Mitch an alternator

[mark81]

I had to take the long way home from Inzane 400 miles just isn't far enough.  We started out with a small group and by the time we got to Red River Gorge it was just Wimp, Smokin Joe, Mitch, and I.  Wimp and Joe left from there south to TN and Mitch and I headed northwest. He was going home to IL and I to OH. We had decided to ride up to IN and go our separate ways once we crossed the Ohio River. I'm glad I took the long way with him because about 30 miles before we were to part ways and 100 miles from home my alternator went out. Wouldn't you know it Mitch happened to have a brand new alternator in his saddlebag and we were back on the road in no time.  Anybody have a new oem valk or wing alternator sitting around they want gone for cash?  I need to restock his saddlebag parts supply so he can do his thing being in the right place at the right time with the right parts to keep our bikes on the road.

P.s. photobucket sucks now. what hosting site do you use to post pics here?

[Serk]

P.s. photobucket sucks now. what hosting site do you use to post pics here?

Glad you had the right person with the right gear, knowledge and tools at the right place and the right time!

As far as photo hosting, I use this one, it's quick, simple and free:

https://postimages.org/

[Fazer]

Mark--sorry to hear about your alternator.  I am going to buy a spare, but don't think I have the technical skills to replace on the road side.

Greg

[RainMaker]

That Mitcho is a smart fella' - I taught him well!

RainMaker

[The emperor has no clothes]

Mark--sorry to hear about your alternator.  I am going to buy a spare, but don't think I have the technical skills to replace on the road side.

Greg

Greg, there is no great "skill" in doing it. It's just a tight squeeze. I highly recommend doing it in your garage, so you are familiar with doing it. Had I not been familiar with it I probably wouldn't have been able to do it in the parking lot of Motel 6. And then I would have missed all the fun in Roanoke. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Mitch is indeed a great guy! As for just happening to have a new alternator with him, that is taking prepared to an amazing level!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Mitch is indeed a great guy! As for just happening to have a new alternator with him, that is taking prepared to an amazing level!

There are many who were so prepared. I've come to agree with this thinking. 

[Gryphon Rider]

A few years ago I spent the better part of a Saturday removing, rebuilding, and reinstalling my car's alternator at a campground in Swift Current, SK.  I'm just glad the local Canadian Tire had the rebuild kit and a soldering iron.  I can't remember for sure, but I don't think they had a complete alternator, but that would have been a waste as it only needed brushes.

I think I did it in when I stopped to help someone broken down on the side of the highway half way between Calgary and Swift Current.  She needed a boost and her battery needed a lot of charging from my car before hers would start.

[bludragon]

How often should the alternator be changed so it does not become a breakdown on the road.
Regards

[The emperor has no clothes]

How often should the alternator be changed so it does not become a breakdown on the road.
Regards

3 miles before it goes bad would be optimal. 

I think brushes should probably be checked at 50k. Other than that I'm not sure what else yo can do.

[Bighead]

How often should the alternator be changed so it does not become a breakdown on the road.
Regards

3 miles before it goes bad would be optimal. 

I think brushes should probably be checked at 50k. Other than that I'm not sure what else yo can do.

The one in my '97 is original with 120k+ the one in my IS went out at about 40k. So who knows how long any will last ,best advice is have a spare on the shelf or in the bag on a long trip.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I have a voltmeter on mine. When I saw the voltage starting to drop the first time I replaced the brushes. 20,000 miles or so later when voltage seemed to be starting to drop again I replaced the alternator. Never waited on it to break down.

[Serk]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

[baldo]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

lolol

[Wizzard]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

Starting to sound like Harley riders. On my route 66 trip I met a huge group of Harley riders in Joplin Mo and they had a parts truck following them.

[fudgie]

How often should the alternator be changed so it does not become a breakdown on the road.
Regards

3 miles before it goes bad would be optimal. 

I think brushes should probably be checked at 50k. Other than that I'm not sure what else yo can do.

I take my starter and alt off the bike every 50k and hv a alt/starter guy go through mine.

[DDT (12)]

Mark,

It was good to meet you! I congratulate you on your choice of riding companions, too... I've traveled with all of those guys, and they have all, at one time or another, bailed me out of tough situations! Mitch is one of a couple of wrenches I know that are head & shoulders above any others I personally know! Besides that, he and those others with whom you hooked up are top-notch traveling companions for all the right reasons! I look forward to seeing you again at future events and IZ.

DDT

[Oss]

+1 on Mitch being a terrific fellow

Could not think of anyone that deserved to win the big 50-50 on the final night as his many good deeds have loaded him up with good karma

Hope his good karma continues forever.

My first alternator went out under warranty at 18000 miles in the Kent Canyons in Connecticut, now the bike is at 108000 and I carry an alternator in my left saddlebag altho clueless (which size wrenches to I need) how to change it out  
Hopefully the voltmeter trick will let me know if I am going to need to change it  as I have one on my fog light's LED circuit

[3fan4life]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

Starting to sound like Harley riders. On my route 66 trip I met a huge group of Harley riders in Joplin Mo and they had a parts truck following them.

It wasn't carrying new parts.

It was there to pick up and return the parts that had fallen off.  

[baldo]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

Starting to sound like Harley riders. On my route 66 trip I met a huge group of Harley riders in Joplin Mo and they had a parts truck following them.

It wasn't carrying new parts.

It was there to pick up and return the parts that had fallen off.  

Ouch....lol

Were they also responsible for oil spills?

[Serk]

It was there to pick up and return the parts that had fallen off.  

Since our return from Roanoke Kali felt she owed the Valk a good washing for bearing her cross country two year in a row.

Back in the day I bought one of those questionable magnets you put under your bike to theoretically trip the "Is a vehicle there?" sensor so the traffic lights will cycle for you and put it on the underside of my swingarm.

Mid cleaning Kali came in and asked why there was a huge magnet under my bike. I deadpan'ed that I used it to pay the Valk off. You see, I used to ride with a group of Harleys, I'd always ride at the back and at the end of every ride I'd peel off whatever parts had fallen off their bikes, clean 'em up and eBay 'em.

Paid my Valk off in less than a year doing that!


She paused for a second.... ALMOST bought it....

[MAD6Gun]

It was there to pick up and return the parts that had fallen off.  

Since our return from Roanoke Kali felt she owed the Valk a good washing for bearing her cross country two year in a row.

Back in the day I bought one of those questionable magnets you put under your bike to theoretically trip the "Is a vehicle there?" sensor so the traffic lights will cycle for you and put it on the underside of my swingarm.

Mid cleaning Kali came in and asked why there was a huge magnet under my bike. I deadpan'ed that I used it to pay the Valk off. You see, I used to ride with a group of Harleys, I'd always ride at the back and at the end of every ride I'd peel off whatever parts had fallen off their bikes, clean 'em up and eBay 'em.

Paid my Valk off in less than a year doing that!


She paused for a second.... ALMOST bought it....

Now that's funny.

It was good meeting you and your daughter. Wish we had more time to talk. Maybe next time.

[¿spoom]

Hmmm.... Thinking I need to buy a 2nd Valk, put trailer hitches on it and my current one, and tow one Valk with the other for long trips. That way if anything happens to one I can just swap out which bike is towing and which is towed and continue on my way...

Starting to sound like Harley riders. On my route 66 trip I met a huge group of Harley riders in Joplin Mo and they had a parts truck following them.

Having a chase truck with a huge group of any brand(s) bikes is just common sense, just like carrying an alternator in a Valk saddlebag. When you have a really large group, it can be nice to have a truck/trailer in the group to let the group continue on plan even if a dead bike has to be scooped up.

[ridingron]

Paid my Valk off in less than a year doing that!


She paused for a second.... ALMOST bought it....

I guess you've been to that well too many times.    But I bet she tells that story to her friends.