I have just had a problem with my wifes Virago smelling of eggs after a rideout. It turned out that it was the rectifier regulator overcharging the battery. It boiled the battery dry before we found the problem. The rectifier was giving 16.9 volts. Changed it and all ok now.

 

Just an update. We went out with it today and found that the fault had also blown the headlight, side light, both tail light and one indicator bulb. All changed and back on track now.

 

Further update, After changing the regulator/rectifier and checking that it was charging at 14.2v I refilled the battery with distilled water and was quite suprised that it held a charge. However, after about 300km of riding it has boiled the battery dry again. Again I refilled it with distilled water and it holds a charge, although only at 12.5v. I have rechecked the charging system and I am still getting 14.2v at about 5,000 revs.
The only thing I can think of is that as the boiling point of water is lower than the boiling point of electrolyte the battery is boiling due to lack of acid.
I have now ordered a new battery and hopefully this will cure the problem.

 

Trying to figure out what this thread has to do with Honda CBR600F4s.

 

From your reply I can assume that you are not aware that Honda CBR600 F4's also have a battery and rectifier/regulator in their charging system.
I posted this as a warning to other riders (whatever they ride) that a smell of rotten eggs is an indication that the rectifier/regulator is overcharging the battery. If it is detected quickly then you can limit the damage to just replacing the rectifier/regulator before damaging other components. Over voltage on components WILL cause early failure and on bike like the CBR that have ECU's this could prove very expensive.
I thought that the reason for these forums was to help other owners avoid problems and to offer assistance. That is what I have tried to do. Sorry if it offends you.

 

From your reply I can assume that you are ignorant of the fact that there is a "General Tech" section to this forum. This section deals specifically with F4s, All motorcycles have batteries and reg/rect in their charging system. Also, take into account that your opening post in this thread mentioned nothing about said F4s, only your wife's Virago, which isn't even a Honda, let alone a CBR. You also did not actually post this as a "warning" as that word never entered your post either.

Also, since you mentioned "whatever they ride", having a "rotten egg" smell can also indicate a malfunctioning catalytic converter on those newer motorcycles equipped with said items.

 

Ok, point taken. I did not realise that there was a General Tech section as I am new to this forum. I should have entered it there.