Just a thought

"Peer Lovell" <peer.lovell.RemoveThis@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com...
 > Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
 > However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could die
 > an untimely death before we see spring again.
 > Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?
 >
 >

Almost!
Where the fuck do you live?

Must be a Snow Bird in the sunny south.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

In article <_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com>,
peer.lovell.TakeThisOut@sympatico.ca says...
 > Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
 > However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could die
 > an untimely death before we see spring again.
 > Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?

Dunno about the rest of you, but I'm getting more riding
done in the last few months than all summer. I usually
wait for the frost to clear in the morning before heading
out, but some light frost hasn't been a problem. You just
need to be a little more gentle on the inputs, and dress
warmer.

--
Cam
'89 RZ 350<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

"Peer Lovell" <peer.lovell DeleteThis @sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com...
 > Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
 > However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could die
 > an untimely death before we see spring again.
 > Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?
 >
 >

I think the problem here is two fold.. just coming into winter and it is
very vague on the ng discription..
People want to hang out with others that they have the most in common
with.. dirt and street riders do not seem to feel any comeraudery in the
fact that they are both on two wheels and enjoying that fact.
Something like the "quad rider" bitching and moaning over at RMD.
People are sometimes to self absorbed to realize if one loses ground or
rights in enjoying our sports whether it is street, dirt, two wheel or four
, we all lose ground.
I wanted to get out for a ride in the afternoon today but was picking up
parts for the turbo car I am building for a friend [ Thunderbird with a
Grand National V6 motor ] and did not get back in time.. it was 7 degrees
here, warm enough for me .. crap.. I could have got some mud riding in ..
Dave.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

7?! It was -29 here this A.M. (Edmonton)

I might add, I have ridden in every month of the year here in Edmonton
at one time or another. Occassionally we do get a break in the
weather. However, I'm getting old (53) and not nearly as invulnerable
as I once was; I don't ride unless its at least 5 above, roads clear,
sand and gravel mostly cleaned up. That basically means I'm trucking
it till at least March...

On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 18:19:35 -0500, "flymx" <ya RemoveThis @right.ca> wrote:

 >
 >"Peer Lovell" <peer.lovell RemoveThis @sympatico.ca> wrote in message
 >news:_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com...
  >> Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
  >> However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could die
  >> an untimely death before we see spring again.
  >> Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?
  >>
  >>
 >
 >I think the problem here is two fold.. just coming into winter and it is
 >very vague on the ng discription..
 >People want to hang out with others that they have the most in common
 >with.. dirt and street riders do not seem to feel any comeraudery in the
 >fact that they are both on two wheels and enjoying that fact.
 >Something like the "quad rider" bitching and moaning over at RMD.
 >People are sometimes to self absorbed to realize if one loses ground or
 >rights in enjoying our sports whether it is street, dirt, two wheel or four
 >, we all lose ground.
 >I wanted to get out for a ride in the afternoon today but was picking up
 >parts for the turbo car I am building for a friend [ Thunderbird with a
 >Grand National V6 motor ] and did not get back in time.. it was 7 degrees
 >here, warm enough for me .. crap.. I could have got some mud riding in ..
 >Dave.
 >

Note - to reply by email, please reformat the addressee (should be pretty obvious)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

53, old, no way.

I'm 57 and even though I may have slowed down a bit (no two week 2,000
mile trips) I still do enjoy getting out for a ride. I do agree about
the temperture though, my limit is 7 celsius, lower than that and my
hands just can't take it. A good faring or windsheild would help, but
then that would take away from the enjoyment of the ride.

JGJ, 84 CX650E

trumpet.TakeThisOut@telus.net wrote:
 > 7?! It was -29 here this A.M. (Edmonton)
 >
 > I might add, I have ridden in every month of the year here in Edmonton
 > at one time or another. Occassionally we do get a break in the
 > weather. However, I'm getting old (53) and not nearly as invulnerable
 > as I once was; I don't ride unless its at least 5 above, roads clear,
 > sand and gravel mostly cleaned up. That basically means I'm trucking
 > it till at least March...
 >
 > On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 18:19:35 -0500, "flymx" <ya.TakeThisOut@right.ca> wrote:
 >
 >
  >>"Peer Lovell" <peer.lovell.TakeThisOut@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
  >>news:_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com...
  >>
   >>>Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
   >>>However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could die
   >>>an untimely death before we see spring again.
   >>>Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?
   >>>
   >>>
  >>
  >>I think the problem here is two fold.. just coming into winter and it is
  >>very vague on the ng discription..
  >>People want to hang out with others that they have the most in common
  >>with.. dirt and street riders do not seem to feel any comeraudery in the
  >>fact that they are both on two wheels and enjoying that fact.
  >>Something like the "quad rider" bitching and moaning over at RMD.
  >>People are sometimes to self absorbed to realize if one loses ground or
  >>rights in enjoying our sports whether it is street, dirt, two wheel or four
  >>, we all lose ground.
  >>I wanted to get out for a ride in the afternoon today but was picking up
  >>parts for the turbo car I am building for a friend [ Thunderbird with a
  >>Grand National V6 motor ] and did not get back in time.. it was 7 degrees
  >>here, warm enough for me .. crap.. I could have got some mud riding in ..
  >>Dave.
  >>
 >
 >
 > Note - to reply by email, please reformat the addressee (should be pretty obvious)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

JGJ <jgjacobs.RemoveThis@NOSPAMShotmail.com> wrote:
 > Hey Peter, I agree with you, so why doesn't someone explain to me how
 > the charging system on a motorcyle work. I have a problem with a
 > cx650e, it is not the battery.

  What the heck, I'm in a writing kind of mood, so I might as
well. However, I have no knowledge of the CX650E, but I can describe
how the charging system in a modern (i.e. alternator, not generator)
Harley-Davidson works. Yes, I realize "modern Harley-Davidson" is an
oxymoron, but humor me anyway! The charging system of most alternator
motorcycles should be somewhat similar to this.

  First, there is the alternator. This is constituted of both
the stator and rotor. The stator is basically a round core, which is
wrapped with many, many turns of coated copper wire. On a Harley,
this is located behind the compensator sprocket (basically, bolted to
the engine case, around the sprocket shaft). As the name implies, it
is "static". It does not turn. The two ends of the wire windings
exit the engine case, on the left side, all the way to the front.

  The rotor is basically a steel shell, with magnets glued to
its inner circumference. It does rotate (once again, the name is not
only clever marketing <g>). It goes over the stator. On an H-D, it
is splined to match the sprocket shaft, and, as such, turns with the
engine itself.

  The alternator, once again, as the name implies, produces AC
current. However, your battery, and pretty much every electrical
component of your motorcycle, require DC current. Therefore, a
rectifier is needed. What is called a "regulator" on most modern
motorcycles is actually a regulator-rectifier, and it has two jobs.

  The first one is to rectify the AC current to DC. This is
easily accomplished with a simple diode bridge, but explaining this
would be a little too detailed for this post (it's easy, trust me!).
Its second job is to rectify the voltage to something that won't boil
or fry your battery or other components. On a H-D, it accomplishes
this by actually sending all excess voltage right back to ground.
This is why a good ground on the regulator is so important.

  Therefore, the path of the current on your charging system is
as follows:

AC DC

Alternator --------> Regulator -------> Battery


  There are usually some easy tests to determine the culprit in
the charging system. Realistically, these can usually be done in just
a few minutes. Here's how.

  To test the alternator, unplug the regulator from the
alternator output. Make sure you're measuring AC voltage, and measure
the output at the plug, with the engine running. There should be a
spec in the service manual as to what output should be. For a modern
H-D, this is usually about 16-20 VAC per 1000RPM.

  Shut the bike back off. Measure resistance between the two
pins on the stator plug. There should be continuity. If there isn't,
the winding is open, and the stator is shot. Also, measure the
resistance between both pins and the bike's ground. If there is
continuity to ground (or anything besides an open), the stator is
shorted to ground, and needs to be replaced. This is an important
test that most people forget to do. The problem is that the stator
can be grounded and appear to be producing the correct output.
However, as soon as you put a load on it, it'll drop back to squat.
And you'll have changed a regulator for nothing...Ahem.

  If the stator windings test out OK, but the output is too low,
the rotor is probably to blame.

  If the alternator tests out all good, test for continuity
between the regulator body and ground. There *should* be continuity.
Then, make sure the regulator output is properly connected to the
circuit breaker/battery. If it's connected properly, make sure you're
measuring DC voltage, measure at the battery, and fire up the bike
again. The voltage should climb, up to a reasonable value (no more
than 14.5-15VDC, check your manual for actual specs).

  If the alternator output is good, the regulator is grounded
properly, and the connection back to the battery is good, but there is
no charging, the regulator is to blame.

  As mentionned, all the above is for a H-D, but most of it
should apply to other alternator systems. This also assumes a
two-phase alternator, the three-phase is almost identical, except with
an extra stator winding, and regulator that takes three inputs.

  As usual, use at your own risk, YMMV, IMHO, etc...


Phil
--
AH#61 Wolf#14 BS#89 bus#1 CCB#1 SENS philb.RemoveThis@total.net
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://ah61.com" target="_blank">http://ah61.com</a> EKIII rides with me. <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://eddiekieger.com" target="_blank">http://eddiekieger.com</a>
"And even though I've tried my best, I still can't find no happiness" - P. Tosh<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

Phil, thanks for taking the time to give such an easy to understand
explanation.


"Phil Boutros" <philb.TakeThisOut@total.net> wrote in message
news:slrnbtpgna.obd.philb@ah61.is-a-geek.com...
 > JGJ <jgjacobs.TakeThisOut@NOSPAMShotmail.com> wrote:
  > > Hey Peter, I agree with you, so why doesn't someone explain to me how
  > > the charging system on a motorcyle work. I have a problem with a
  > > cx650e, it is not the battery.
 >
 > What the heck, I'm in a writing kind of mood, so I might as
 > well. However, I have no knowledge of the CX650E, but I can describe
 >snip- P. Tosh<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought 

You might want to consider heated hand grips. They are inexpensive and easy
to install. Add a thin balaclava under the helmet, some thermal underwear
and I have no problem down to 0c (Even all day rides)

Dave

"JGJ" <jgjacobs.RemoveThis@NOSPAMShotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FDB2631.8030103@NOSPAMShotmail.com...
 > 53, old, no way.
 >
 > I'm 57 and even though I may have slowed down a bit (no two week 2,000
 > mile trips) I still do enjoy getting out for a ride. I do agree about
 > the temperture though, my limit is 7 celsius, lower than that and my
 > hands just can't take it. A good faring or windsheild would help, but
 > then that would take away from the enjoyment of the ride.
 >
 > JGJ, 84 CX650E
 >
 > trumpet.RemoveThis@telus.net wrote:
  > > 7?! It was -29 here this A.M. (Edmonton)
  > >
  > > I might add, I have ridden in every month of the year here in Edmonton
  > > at one time or another. Occassionally we do get a break in the
  > > weather. However, I'm getting old (53) and not nearly as invulnerable
  > > as I once was; I don't ride unless its at least 5 above, roads clear,
  > > sand and gravel mostly cleaned up. That basically means I'm trucking
  > > it till at least March...
  > >
  > > On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 18:19:35 -0500, "flymx" <ya.RemoveThis@right.ca> wrote:
  > >
  > >
   > >>"Peer Lovell" <peer.lovell.RemoveThis@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
   > >>news:_%sBb.2144$tk1.471588@news20.bellglobal.com...
   > >>
   > >>>Its great to see a Canadian newsgroup for a change.
   > >>>However, with winter almost upon us, I'm worried that this group could
die
   > >>>an untimely death before we see spring again.
   > >>>Why don't we start some sort of dialogue?
   > >>>
   > >>>
   > >>
   > >>I think the problem here is two fold.. just coming into winter and it is
   > >>very vague on the ng discription..
   > >>People want to hang out with others that they have the most in common
   > >>with.. dirt and street riders do not seem to feel any comeraudery in the
   > >>fact that they are both on two wheels and enjoying that fact.
   > >>Something like the "quad rider" bitching and moaning over at RMD.
   > >>People are sometimes to self absorbed to realize if one loses ground or
   > >>rights in enjoying our sports whether it is street, dirt, two wheel or
four
   > >>, we all lose ground.
   > >>I wanted to get out for a ride in the afternoon today but was picking up
   > >>parts for the turbo car I am building for a friend [ Thunderbird with a
   > >>Grand National V6 motor ] and did not get back in time.. it was 7
degrees
   > >>here, warm enough for me .. crap.. I could have got some mud riding in
...
   > >>Dave.
   > >>
  > >
  > >
  > > Note - to reply by email, please reformat the addressee (should be
pretty obvious)
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Just a thought