Hi. First post after lurking for a while - and it has to be about a problem! Doh!

OK... Firstly, any help will be greatly appreciated.

I got my CBR a little over a week ago, a 91 fm, with 24k (and 10 years of old MOT's/service bills to back the mileage up). When I got it it had a problem starting, but it seemed just like the battery was flat, so I replaced it with a new one. After this the bike fired up and ran beautifully. And thus was the case until this morning/last night.

When starting it last night, I thought the engine seemed a little slow to turn over on the start button, kind of like the battery was low on charge. It started though and ran absolutely fine, no issues. This morning, I went out to start the bike and the battery got two or three turns before it was dead and the starter was only clicking (the tell tale sign the battery is flat as hell). Yesterday I also noticed that the headlight would get brighter under higher revs whilst on choke heating up (if I blipped the throttle the light would get a bit brighter, and would stay brighter while the revs were higher, dying down again when the revs dropped)

I've done maybe 200/250 miles on the bike since I changed the battery. My ride is commuting 40 miles a day pretty much all in the dark, lights on low beam and heated grips on full. (Just giving this info in case it has a bearing on stuff... :-)

Soooooooo....Does this sound like a typical regulator/rectifyer issue? Can I relatively safely buy one knowing this is gonna be the issue? And until I get it, is it safe to charge the battery and continue commuting on the bike? It's my sole mode of transport. And I love it dearly too.

I don't have a multimeter, and frankly, cash is tighter than a very tight thing...so I'm trying to make as sure as possible that this is the likely scenario when the regulator dies. I'm used to spannering bikes, but up till now it's always been thumpers (my last was a DRZ 400, which I stripped to nuts and bolts rebuilt), so whilst I'm capable I'm green as hell when it comes to the wonderful world or multi cylinder road bikes! :-)

I should also add that with the original battery, when the bike was bump started it ran fine, and started the next morning (although after sitting a few days it was flat as a pancake again)

Like I say, any help will be gratefully received. Sorry if the above is info overkill, but I know from my time helping out on a DRZ forum, the more info the better, even if it isn't strictly relevant.

cheers
Pat

 

Firstly, let me welcome you to CBRF Patrick!! You should go on over to the New Member area and introduce yourself to the whole forum and post up some pics of your ride.

I'm not saying for sure that your problem is the R/R, but it sure sounds like it could be the culprit, esp. the bit about your headlight surging. Mine was doing very similar things at around the same milageand a new R/R fixed her right up. It's a good place to start troubleshooting anyway. The R/R is a weak link in the F2s and unless you have a deal with the devil, it will go out on you at some point.You can finda ton of them on ebay. Good luck!

 

yeap thats sounds like theR/R, sounds like the problem i had this summer. yeah pretty cheap on ebay.

 

I found this on Ebay for ya. This is the cheapest you'll find for a NEW rectifier with the fins/heatsink. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-H...1%7C240%3A1318

 

Before buying anything make sure to visually check the R/R connector to see if there's any burn marks or if it's melted. Even though you're on a budget I suggest getting a cheap Harbor Freight(or at least borrow one from a friend) Multimeter to try and diagnose the problem or you'll end up with another fried rectifier. Make sure there's no rust or anything on the connectors..That causes a condition where there's too much resistance and it causes the R/R to overheat.

 

Thank you for all the feedback and the ebay link!

I've jumped in at the deep end and bought a new R/R. I'm figuring that even if it's not that, then mine is on a timeline to failure anyway. I got a new one for £20uk pounds. It's an aftermarket one with fins (see I do listen! :-P)

I'll check the terminals for rust, but when I changed the battery it all looked fine on a cursory glance. I'll try also and get a multimeter. I might be able to borrow one from my work.

The good news is that I put the original battery on my oxord charger/conditioner and it's saying that apart from being flat it's not dead. Result. A spare battery! hurrah! :-)

OK....I should get the R/R on saturday latest, I'll keep the you guys informed as to progress. And then get pics of the bike sorted and introduce myself properly. The bike is as sweet as molasees. Although I'm now starting to get upgrade fever - damn you all! I'll be poor for ever! :-D

Another couple of questions I have - probably more relevant for the UK forummers - what oil do you use for CBR? I've searched threads and found the recommended oil, but it's a brand I've never seen in the UK. I'm keen to keep the bike in tip top condtion and take care of her. Also, for the DRZ I know there were uprated oil filters with a reusable wire element. Are there similar for the CBR? And are they better? I don't mind spending extra if it's helping the bike out.

Apologies for the milions of questions, but I'm getting bitten by the CBR bug and want to do things right. :-)

Thanks again,
p

 

On oil and filters, a stock oil filter is best, you dont want an oil filter that you can reuse as those are just inviting problems in my book. oil, use any proper weight oil that is safe for use with a wet clutch. regular or synthetic is your choice. I personally like synthetic oil in all my motors, but I'm just like that as a mechanic.

 

DO NOT buy a replacement HONDA R/R. Get the 5 wire one for the GSXR and hard wire it in....WIll save you more headaches down the road....dont ask why just do it...

You have been warned..

 

I bought an aftermarket R/R with cooling fins. Got it for an excellent price too! :-)

If that doesn't last then I'll be looking out for a gixxer one on ebay. I saw the discussions about this before, but to be honest, I backed out of buying one purely out of cowardice - I wanted something that I knew would fit and would be the right thing (and I wanted it asap). I wasn't sure what years of gsxr R/R would work and the ebay ads don't show the amount of wires on the ones for sale.

Battery is charging and I'm hoping the R/R will be delivered tomorrow. And then for pictures!

p

 

They do work but you have to get one with 5 wires and not 7..