Evidently alternators are a ritual for me.

[Serk]

It appears a Valkyrie isn't truly "mine" until it completes a ritual of being stuck on the side of the road with a dead alternator.

My Standard did it when it was still under warranty.
My 1st Interstate did it a few months after I got it.

And now, I'm primary oncall for work, not 'sposed to leave the house, had a buddy ride this one to a place I found that was willing to do a ride in/ride out tire change and put a DS tire on (For $119 out the door no less!).

The battery ran out of juice as he was pulling it into the bay of the shop. They figured alternator, charged the battery while doing the tire change which gave it enough juice to get within 5 miles of my house.

An advantage of having a spare Valkyrie, yanked the battery out of that one, went to where he was stranded and swapped batteries, got it home.

So evidently a Valkyrie doesn't consider itself fully "mine" until it's done this it appears.

And.... with the current price delta ($350 for GW vs $500+ for Valkyrie) I get to hopefully redeem myself by taking my time and properly clocking a GW alternator to fit.

No real point, just ranting. Ugh... Got a brand new darkside tire on my Interstate and can't even take it for a test ride yet! (Well, I could since the battery will keep it going for 20-30 miles, but don't wanna risk it.)

Hope everyone else is getting some miles and smiles in on this solemn Saturday.

I don't see her in the video, but here's how Kali's BCT regiment honored this date btw:

https://fb.watch/7YX7VCBmVQ/

[Valker]

You can also have yours rebuilt locally at almost any alternator repair shop.

[f6john]

You can also have yours rebuilt locally at almost any alternator repair shop.

I was wondering about that. I tend to keep vehicles for a long time and lots of miles. I've never bought a replacement alternator but have had many rebuilt.

[Serk]

You can also have yours rebuilt locally at almost any alternator repair shop.

Yeah, I know. I've reached a level of discomfort with non-critical personal interactions, especially phone calls  or in person, that I'll spend double or more to be able to click-click-Done and have a new item magically show up at my doorstep as opposed to having to call around to various repair shops, explain what I'm needing, take the item to them, wait, go back and pick it up.

[0leman]

Hope everyone else is getting some miles and smiles in on this solemn Saturday.
https://fb.watch/7YX7VCBmVQ/

Serk, I did get to go for a ride yesterday, lots of smiles but not many miles.  Only 120 enjoyable miles.  We have been under air quality alerts for many weeks, which has reduce the desire to put on many miles. Yesterday, finally we got some better air quality.  Been a long summer with many fires surrounding us.   Air quality has been in the Unhealthy for several weeks.  Not good for aging lungs. 

Sounds like you have the experience to change the alternators out.  Have fun

[Valkorado]

Can relate to this.  3 Valkyries, four alternator replacements so far.   

[f6john]

Only time I had my alternator out was to install some kind of "filter" that came with my Hondaline CB. Was supposed to keep down static emanating from the alternator. Sold the CB years ago but the filter is still there.

[Wizzard]

Serk
Sounds like you need to "alternate" valkyries. That way you will always have one that has a good alternator.

[Serk]

Serk
Sounds like you need to "alternate" valkyries. That way you will always have one that has a good alternator.

That was the plan when I traded for my first Interstate, as these ladies age figured if I kept two road worthy, I'd always have one ready to go while waiting on some unobtanium for the other...

Of course, if Kali takes me up on my offer I'll be back down to just one..... for a while at least...

[old2soon]

       L A Lectrical. Been in my I/S fer a fair bit now and Happy with it!  RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Just remember not to do the same thing as the other in "you're" clocking. 

I've watched this video at least 20 times, analyzing the complex and highly technical hand movements he executes.

When my GW Alternator comes in, I will have this video on my tablet and will execute the moves motion by motion following along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4_gh-sEF4

[Thunderbolt]

Easy Peasy.  Take out three long screws on the new one and have the old one next to it.  Make them look the same.  If memory serves me correctly (I did this once several years ago) once the screws are out you don't remove the end you clock just turn it 1/3 turn.  Worst part you already know is getting that sucker back in and keeping that rubber $%#&* in place.

[Serk]

Who's got two thumbs and a successfully clocked Goldwing alternator in his Interstate?

This guy!

Had to take about a half dozen "Rage Breaks" getting it back in there, but it's in and my voltmeter is showing goot voltage...

I nearly completely lost it when I finally got it installed, then noticed the little wire that plugs into the back had come unplugged...

But got it out, plugged back in, and eventually got it back in...

Now even I wanna know how the heck I mangled my first attempt at clocking the Goldwing alternator!

[Serk]

And took a little test ride tonight after it was all button'ed up.... First chance I've had to ride her since the nasty MC tire was replaced by a proper DS one, and I kept singing in my head:

Hello Darkside my old friend.......
.....I'm glad to ride with you again........

(But then I'd get caught up in the riding and not come up with the next line.)

[Wizzard]

We are coming up on the time of year here when its
"Hello darkness my old friend, you seem to come at 4 PM"

[Willow]

And took a little test ride tonight after it was all button'ed up.... First chance I've had to ride her since the nasty MC tire was replaced by a proper DS one, and I kept singing in my head:

Hello Darkside my old friend.......
.....I'm glad to ride with you again........

(But then I'd get caught up in the riding and not come up with the next line.) 

Hello, Darkside, my old friend,
It's good to ride with you again.
Because I'm restless for the road winding
Left its seeds while I was riding
And the longings that were planted in my brain
Still remain
And call for winds of riding.

In restless dreams I rode alone
Narrow curves and far from home
On the rhythm of the asphalt stream
I turned the throttle, caused the pipes to sing.
Then my eyes were stabbed by the flash of oncoming light
That split the night
And touched the wind of riding.

And in the rushing lights, I saw
A thousand faces, maybe more,
People longing without seeking
People hearing but not listening
People fearing that their longing souls might care
And still were scared
To join the winds of riding.

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Rolling like a river grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take these grips that they might touch you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
Beyond the winds of riding.

And the people bowed and prayed
To the jailing gods they made
And the image called out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the cry said, "The lives of the safe are held in the subway chairs
And caging fares."
But drowned in the winds of riding.

Hello, Darkside, my old friend.
It's good to ride with you again.

[carolinarider09]

Excellet!!!

[Serk]

Now we need some folks who can sing (I can not) to karaoke that at Inzane!