WAI alternators. Anybody ever heard of them?

[mark81]

I've been riding on Mitcho's spare alternator since Inzane.  Had my alternator at 2 different shops to get repaired one just said it's broke and they cant fix it. Or even get a replacement for it.  The second shop who has been around for generations with the family name on the sign actually went as far as telling me the rotor is shot and they can't get parts cheap enough to justify repair over replacement.  They sell WAI brand replacements for goldwing applications.  I've never heard of them. Did a search on ebay for the part number and available in UK for some coin.  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=wai+12485n&_sacat=0  Nobody here in the states selling them on ebay or amazon.  he said he has been selling that brand for 35 years with very few problems.   I was quoted $150ish for a 100% new unit and it will be here Monday.  Just curious if anybody has used or heard of the brand.

[old2soon]

         @ $150.00 ish for new ask what Zackly the guarantee/warranty is. And see if there are any good or bad things being said about them. Have NO experience with this brand at all. Wanna be our in house tester?  RIDE SAFE.

[mark81]

I've already commited to buying it so I'm the guinea pig. if you dont hear me complain it still works lol.  ill try to remember to dig up this post in a year or so and give an update.  Going to see how my video making skills are and try to show how to turn the cases to make the gw alt fit in the valk.

[mark81]

just got off the phone with Bill Hamilton of Hamiltons alternaror & starter repair. he said the WAI has a 1 year warranty same as the hitachi he can also get for $100 more which is still cheaper than honda dealer but slightly higher than partzilla.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I bought one of these about 4 or 5 years ago.
https://www.amazon.com/LActrical-ALTERNATOR-VALKYRIE-INTERSTATE-GL1500CD/dp/B008Y7S990
It worked great, but after a year the nut the holds the drive hub on came loose. I removed it and tightened it up. About 6 months after that the o-ring began to leak. This summer on the way to Inzane in Roanoke a bearing in the alternator grenaded outside of Amarillo. I suspect they can sell alternators so cheap because they use cheap parts to rebuild them. (I'm assuming they are rebuilt and not newly manufactured). Luckily an alternator shop in Amarillo had no problem rebuilding it. New bearings and rotor (which they had in stock). I had an alternator shop here in Havasu tell me my OEM unit wasn't cost effective to rebuild. So, clearly there is some wide variance in what different shops can or will do. We're it me in your shoes now, I would replace the bearings, o-ring with quality units. I would stake the drive nut also.

[mark81]

We're it me in your shoes now, I would replace the bearings, o-ring with quality units. I would stake the drive nut also.

Good advice.  I'll secure that nut and get a honda o-ring.  Unfortunately bearing suppliers locally are as good as the alternator re-builders so I'll leave the bearings alone till there is a problem.  I should have just shipped my old one to mars for a rebuild

[Colin]

A friend had one of these on his Goldwing and like the others the nut came loose and caused some engine damage (I don't know how) but he did have an expensive repair bill.

[gordonv]

Bump. Looking for the year update review. Thank you.

[mark81]

Update: el cheapo alternator still working

[98valk]

Update: el cheapo alternator still working

WAI is a very good company.

[Valker]

So, if I wanted to order an alternator from them, which one should I get?
Thanks.