If I was going to do it I'd wire it to a relay that 1) tapped into the license plate light so it's only on when the bike is on and 2) to the battery with a fuse for power and 3) a switch in-line in case you need the fan off for some reason, like when working on the bike.

 

Nice call DarkNinja. Solid engineering plan.

Ern

 

I've been having some issues with my 03 954 not starting. As a result I've been trying to read through posts talking about possible solutions. I've looked at few that talk about R/Rs and most of them have been on how to modify them to run cooler. From reading the posts I have gathered that these modifications allow for a cooler running R/R which allows it to perform better. But I don't know what exactly the R/R even does and what exactly happens for performance to the bike with the modifications? Are the modifications done for preventative maintenance? Are they even needed or is this just a mod that people do that are geeked out about their rides and like to tinker with them (that would be me-even though I am very much a noob)?

Just as a disclaimer...I know this is a thread for "how to do something" but I figured since I'm still talking about R/Rs that it would be OK. If a moderator feels the need to move this please do so (not that you need my permission).

 

R/R is a regulator/rectifier. It regulates the current going from the stator to the battery, ensuring that it's not too much or too little. The stator + R/R is the same thing as an alternator in a car. Too much current and things start to cook, too little and things die from lack of power.

Honda is known for having really terrible R/Rs because they oveheat. One good reason they overheat is because Honda places them in spots where they don't get any airflow.

Simple fix (after you've confirmed it is your R/R): replace it with an aftermarket one.

 

It also rectifies the current from AC to DC.