Alternator Rebuild

[Canuck]

Confirmed that my alternator was not charging and pulled it.  That's a bunch of fun!  Although, squeezing the alternator out of that tight hole was easier than pulling the center cover out. 
Now that I have it sitting on the old work bench, I'm looking for a rebuild guy.  It appears that MARS is out of business - email bounced back anyway.  I recall something about him closing up on the GoldWing site.  Any other suggestions other than buying new?  Or if new is the only alternative, any suggestions as to the best place for price?

[Red Diamond]

Get yourself an alternator for the Goldwing 1500 series, '99 OR 2k and clock it for the Valkyrie. Lay the alternators side by side, remove the three screws and rotate the front or pulley end of the alternator to match the Valkyrie alternator. The Goldwing is the same alternator and somewhat cheaper.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Confirmed that my alternator was not charging and pulled it.  That's a bunch of fun!  Although, squeezing the alternator out of that tight hole was easier than pulling the center cover out. 
Now that I have it sitting on the old work bench, I'm looking for a rebuild guy.  It appears that MARS is out of business - email bounced back anyway.  I recall something about him closing up on the GoldWing site.  Any other suggestions other than buying new?  Or if new is the only alternative, any suggestions as to the best place for price?

How many miles on the bike ? Is it necessary to pull the center cover ?

[Novavalker]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALTERNATOR-GL1500CD-VALKYRIE-INTERSTATE-/220980957076?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33737dcf94&vxp=mtr

[Novavalker]

I seem to recall this is a common problem with valkyrie alternators.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,30026.0.html

After seeing the pictures in that thread I examined an alternator I had replaced a few years ago. The wire was broken in exactly the same location.

[Hoser]

Any competent automotive electric shop should be able to rebuild your alternator, most fair sized towns will have one or more .  Hoser

[fudgie]

Yea find a local guy. Thats what I did with it and my starter. He had a 2 day turn around time.

[Canuck]

With only 32k on the clock I would think the broken wire may be the issue.  They should last longer than that.  I take it that it will need to be re-wound since there isn't enough wire to make a repair connection.  I have not pulled it apart yet to inspect.

On the old thread, someone asked the advantage of going to a 90amp vs the stock 40amp.  Any thoughts on this, since it wasn't really answered?  I know on the Wings, everyone was going with the 90's.

'Competent automotive shop' hmmm - is there such a thing?  I had issues having my septic pump re built by a reputable shop.  I may end up going with a new one and keeping this one to have rebuilt one day for a spare.

It was necessary to remove the center panel to get the alt out.  As stated in previous posts I found in my search, you just have to hold your tongue right and curse a lot for both of them.  Installation is reverse, so does that mean I have to hold my tongue the opposite way? 

[larryh0841]

I have had my Interstate alternator out and in three times and never had to remove the center cover to do it.  It is not easy to get the center cover out and back in (did it once) so it is good to know that it is not necessary.     Larry

[Canuck]

I have had my Interstate alternator out and in three times and never had to remove the center cover to do it.  It is not easy to get the center cover out and back in (did it once) so it is good to know that it is not necessary.     Larry

Wish you would have told me before    I was just following the manual.  Sure seems like it would have been in the way or got scratched up.  Hopefully, I will never need to remove either of them again

[larswlvs]

I took my alternator out and did not remove the center cover.I also went with a 85 amp. alternator  made for a Gold-wing and just clocked it to fit the Valk.Some day I'll have my 40 amp alternator rewired for 90 amp.(the 40 amp.alt.was still good  my volt meter was bad)

[Chattanooga Mark]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERNATOR-HONDA-GL-1500-GOLDWING-HIGH-OUTPUT-GL1500-/250687901812?hash=item3a5e29d074&vxp=mtr#ht_1314wt_689

That's a link to an eBay auction (no affiliation) with an 85 amp Giold Wing 1500 alternator. If it's as easy as 'clocking' the GW higher output alternator that may be the best course of action for you. It would be nice to have double the alternator output if it's an easy plug and play Honda part.

All the best,

Mark

[Canuck]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERNATOR-HONDA-GL-1500-GOLDWING-HIGH-OUTPUT-GL1500-/250687901812?hash=item3a5e29d074&vxp=mtr#ht_1314wt_689

That's a link to an eBay auction (no affiliation) with an 85 amp Giold Wing 1500 alternator. If it's as easy as 'clocking' the GW higher output alternator that may be the best course of action for you. It would be nice to have double the alternator output if it's an easy plug and play Honda part.

All the best,

Mark

That may be the ticket!  I'm sure it's made in China.  They list a 40amp for the Valk.  One Valk owner in Mexico bought one and gave possitive feedback - I wonder if he's a member here.  They also have an 85amp on sale for $180 w/ free shipping.  Hmmmm!  They have good feedback.
Thanks for the heads-up Mark.  I may be the guinea pig here.  Afterall, it's just a tow away from home if it fails 

[Canuck]

I took my alternator out and did not remove the center cover.I also went with a 85 amp. alternator  made for a Gold-wing and just clocked it to fit the Valk.Some day I'll have my 40 amp alternator rewired for 90 amp.(the 40 amp.alt.was still good  my volt meter was bad)

That sucks!  Like I said above, I was just following the manual.  I wanted to get in there a poke about and clean.  The PO broke the tab off the center panel for the right panel and had it wired on.  I want to see if I can JB rig it so I can remove the right side easier when needed.
Did you buy from the guy that Mark posted?

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Had a rebuilt go out on me 300 miles from home. Not good truck and fuel cost me about the same. Got home ordered a goldwing alt from HDL overnighted to house it was 249 dollars.  have about 50 thousand on this one.

[JimL]

Here is a link I saved quite a while ago for a retired electrician/mechanic that used to rebuild Valkyrie alternators, I have no idea if he still provides this service.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resp3jbj/

[Rocketman]

I've removed/reinstalled more alternators than I'd like to count.  I've found that pulling the center cover is not REQUIRED, but certainly makes life easier.  It's worth pulling the cover, to me.  Have a long screwdriver handy for the tip-over switch, but all that is easier than getting the alt. out without pulling the center cover.

As for the prime question:  Is it true MARS is out of business?  He did good work, and I'll be disappointed if I can't send my next one over to him.

Mark

[larswlvs]

Yes i did and I also left the condenser on it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERNATOR-HONDA-GL-1500-GOLDWING-HIGH-OUTPUT-GL1500-/250687901812?hash=item3a5e29d074&vxp=mtr#ht_1314wt_689

[Canuck]

As for the prime question:  Is it true MARS is out of business?  He did good work, and I'll be disappointed if I can't send my next one over to him.

Mark

I had Ken's old email address.  I just got off the phone with him and he is still in business.  I'll be getting my replacement from him.
Ken's new email addy is:  hemi-roid@frontier.com

[Rocketman]

I had Ken's old email address.  I just got off the phone with him and he is still in business.  I'll be getting my replacement from him.
Ken's new email addy is:  hemi-roid@frontier.com

Thanks for the follow-up.