stevebz Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 I purchased a 2000 VFR with 26,000 miles on it about a year ago. Had a complete check-over/tuning service done and it's been great! But recently I've attempted a couple longer rides and headed out on the interstate to cover some miles quickly. After about 75 minutes I noticed the speedometer needle would drop to 0 when I put my turn signal on. A few minutes later, the tach needle would do the same and the turn signal indicator light was very weak. As soon as I closed the throttle exiting off the interstate, the bike died and wouldn't crank over. Got it jump started and it ran fine until I stopped again, then wouldn't crank over to restart. I replaced the battery and had the alternator checked to be sure it was charging (it was). Tried another highway trip yesterday and the exact same thing happened at about 75-80 minutes in! Any ideas what's going on? Maybe something to do with extended operation at a continuous 70+ mph? I have done multiple 2-3+ hour rides on back roads and state highways with no problems. Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellindustries Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Check the Reg/Rec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted May 1, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 1, 2017 Look for something like this...I'm sure it's obvious what I'm referring to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Lorne Posted May 1, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 1, 2017 Another source of trouble might be the starter relay, adjacent to the battery. Output of the rectifier/regulator goes through it on the way to the battery. Here's a pic of the failed unit from my '92 VFR750: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellindustries Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 And that's why i got this replacement unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer MaxSwell Posted May 1, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 1, 2017 Those are the exact symptoms I experienced when my first fifth gen, with approx. 80,000 miles on it, died 170 miles from home in Duluth, MN. When I got it home my excellent Honda dealer diagnosed a fried stator ( 31120-MBG-D01 ) and R/R. Mechanic said it was the stator that ruined the R/R. They replaced both with OEM parts. Not long after I looked into and bought a VFRness and a Rick's R/R from fellow VFRD member (wiremybike.com) and installed both myself, with lots of help from Joshua it's creator. I keep the replacement oem R/R as a spare. My memory is shot but I believe Honda may have improved their R/R replacements but the electrical system on these VFRs are not very good from the getgo. Hence the VFRness, meant to deal with the inadequate charging system. Lots of us VFRDers have done this. You can check it all out in the electrical threads here. Good luck. I hope yours does not go out when you are far from home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebz Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 Thanks for all the info, guys! I will definitely check the stator and R/R, and will look into the VFRness, etc. I do remember reading this was a common issue with these machines when I was researching bikes. Then I promptly forgot about it in the excitement of owning and riding this awesome (for me) motorcycle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted May 1, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 1, 2017 22 minutes ago, stevebz said: Thanks for all the info, guys! I will definitely check the stator and R/R, and will look into the VFRness, etc. I do remember reading this was a common issue with these machines when I was researching bikes. Then I promptly forgot about it in the excitement of owning and riding this awesome (for me) motorcycle! Yep, mine fortunately didn't strand me anywhere but I was being diligent in trying to maintain those connectors by using "Oxguard" on them and inspecting them any time I serviced the bike. Somehow this slipped in between services but it wasn't until I was inspecting something else that I found this. Parts are on order and hopefully I won't have to worry about it anymore, well other than the Stator eventually cooking itself being only half bathed in oil. BTW, grabbing a Shindengen FH020AA RR (www.roadstercycle.com) and an OEM stator (www.partzilla.com). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RolandHTG Posted May 1, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 1, 2017 Every VFR should have an onboard voltmeter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellindustries Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 13 minutes ago, RolandHTG said: Every VFR should have an onboard voltmeter. True. I had one, but it crapped-out. Cheap ebay junk. I keep meaning to buy a better one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon28 Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 I purchased a VFRness and R/R from our fellow VFRd member 5 years ago. Zero issues since then. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! http://www.wiremybike.com/ http://www.wiremybike.com/vfr-specific-parts-1998-1999-vfr-parts-1998-1999-regulator-rectifier-p-329.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RolandHTG Posted May 2, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2017 I went through 2 Lascar EMV 1200's in 15 years. They are not waterproof but I solved that with celophane tape. I also recommend the VFRness. I used a Yamaha R1 R/R from Ebay which I believe is the Shinidig (sp?) but it had to be spliced in due to different connectors. It worked well and lasted until I sold the bike . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer TomP Posted May 4, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 4, 2017 Another satisfied VFRness owner here. That, along with an onboard voltmeter and due diligence with connectors, is cheap insurance. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmcd Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 On 5/1/2017 at 8:15 AM, stevebz said: I noticed the speedometer needle would drop to 0 when I put my turn signal on. A few minutes later, the tach needle would do the same and the turn signal indicator light was very weak. I seem to be a little confused...this all started when you put your turn signal on. The speedo fails and then the tach plus the signal indicator light was weak. Sounds kind of like a short. The turn signal is wired through the handle bars along with things like the kill switch and ignition switch. All of these things run in a wiring harness that is subjected to movement by turning the handle bars back and forth. This could create a short and thus stop your engine. It also sounds like an intermittent problem not a component failure...just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer maxredline Posted May 16, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 16, 2017 Once the Vif has reared the electrical gremlins you should do the typical mods to the system to make it the reliable Honda you know it should be. Stator inspection and replacement if needed upgrade rr to moffset Vfrness install Fuse the wiring harness ground block 2 grounds from EGU to frame Inspect electrical plug connections for corrosion and fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted May 16, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 16, 2017 For the record, here's what my connectors looked like... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted May 17, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 17, 2017 Be glad this isn't what it looks like: That's Larry L's friend's RC45, post electrical connector melt-down... Expensive. Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loftust Posted May 18, 2017 Share Posted May 18, 2017 Holy sh1tballs x2!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted May 18, 2017 Member Contributer Share Posted May 18, 2017 On 5/2/2017 at 0:04 AM, hellindustries said: True. I had one, but it crapped-out. Cheap ebay junk. I keep meaning to buy a better one. Signal Dynamics LED voltmeter.... had it on redsut for over a decade, is now doing its stuff on the RC... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.