Help! Broken down at the Nugget

RichVee4 · October 01, 2015, 07:23:40 PM

Forgot to ask if you figured out your electrical issues yet? Since you hear the starter clicking when this happens it could be a battery issue. Battery issues tend to show up when the temps begin to drop. Easy enough to test, the charger turning green is not a valid test you need to apply a load to the battery and measure the voltage. With the bike off, turn the headlights on, the voltage should stay around 11- 12v for some time. If the voltage drops off quickly battery is suspect. Also, start the bike and while its running measure the voltage you should have >13.5V, if less RR is suspect and not charging the battery properly.

Vegasrider · October 01, 2015, 07:34:36 PM

Wasn't the battery as I had suspected, it tested well. Motosource called me this morning and they said it was the starter, due to worn out brushes. They said they should have replacement brushes in tomorrow afternoon and the bike ready by the time I get off work. which is about a mile from where I work. I hope it's just the brushes. With 104k miles worth of starts, II can understand the starter going bad.

GreenMachine · October 01, 2015, 07:54:20 PM

Never heard of the ability to replace bushings. That's amazing!

dub · October 01, 2015, 08:05:44 PM

Not bushings, brushes.

GreenMachine · October 01, 2015, 09:20:23 PM

What's that? Never heard of a starter motor brush.

dub · October 02, 2015, 09:15:31 AM

Quote from: GreenMachine on October 01, 2015, 09:20:23 PM
What's that? Never heard of a starter motor brush.

All DC motors have brushes. (well, there are brush-less motors, too, but it's a different design). They are necessary to complete the circuit. Since the commutator ring rotates inside the brushes, eventually they wear out. This video explains it very well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAtPHANEfQo

A DRAGON · October 04, 2015, 10:10:28 AM

You guys are nuts. Man I get THE E B GEE BEES. Just looking at snow through a face shield. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Vegasrider · October 04, 2015, 02:31:18 PM

Riding year round regardless of conditions has its consequences, all three times I have been down were because of poor surface conditions. 2x in the rain, once due to fog freezing up on the roadway. 100% preventable but it's the risk I decide to take.