Dead Battery

[fairweatherrider]

Went for a ride yesterday, about 30 miles, then as I headed home about a block away from home, my bike just cut out, stalled, and I had a dead battery. Pushed it home, oh boy. Had the battery checked after charging it and it was okay. I reinstalled it, and started it, but as I gave it some throttle shouldn't the needle on my gauge go up? It didn't. Could I have a bad generator. How can I check it and how difficult is it to change if it is bad? What else could it be? I appreciate any help.

[spldart]

Charge system simple.
Magnets spin around stator to make 3 phase ac.
ac rectified by 6 diodes in r&r unit
the scr's in r&r unit regulate charge by dumping excess current.
Rest gets sent to battery to maintain 13.someodd volts while bike runs. 13.8 ish
What is volts at fully charged battery fresh after start?

At this point stator, wiring, r&r, and more wiring are suspect.

[fairweatherrider]

After a full charge it's about 13.5-13.8. As soon as I turn the key on it drops to about 12.5. After I start it the voltage never goes up when I give it some throttle.

[steelerdude99]

There is a slightly older thread on the forum that may help:http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7499

see post number 9 which refers to:http://www.thegsresources.com/statorpapers.php

In the stator papers, they cover testing and if you are up to it and need a new stator, a stator rewind.

chuck

[spldart]

good call pointing out the old thread steelerdude99
fairweatherrider.... If you rev it and it's just sitting at 12.5 then you definitely have charge
issues.

[fairweatherrider]

I thank you both for the help. I don't have all the necessary equipment to check for problems. After seeing your advice, and the way it was not charging correctly, I brought the bike to a dealer. He checked out the charging system and found a ground short from the stator so I ok'd him to replace it and the regulator. I don't have enough experience to do it. If it was a little simpler I would attempt it. I'll let you know how it works out after the repair which is set for next Thursday.

[steelerdude99]

I thank you both for the help. I don't have all the necessary equipment to check for problems. ....

The "stator papers" are not for everyone. I just keep this in mind, dealers have better tools and information resources, but they cost big bucks. As the bike gets older, you may run into a repair that costs more than the worth of the bike. And with shop prices are what they are, that can happen quickly. Selling early (i.e. before 5 or so years) and buying a newer one may be the best bet when the dealer is your mechanic. That can be true for cars and bikes.

chuck

[alantf]

Guess I'm lucky. Over here the labour rate is €25 (around $27.50) an hour.

[steelerdude99]

Guess I'm lucky. Over here the labour rate is €25 (around $27.50) an hour.

A few months ago, when I got my bike its state inspection done at a dealer, the dealer had a sign said that said the shop "labor rate" is $100.00/hour. It was a non-Suzuki dealer, but close to my home.

chuck

[fairweatherrider]

You're probably right but $450 is better than $4500 right now. Hope I don't need more repairs and maybe I'll get a new one in a few years.

[spldart]

Guess I'm lucky. Over here the labour rate is €25 (around $27.50) an hour.

Your pound seems a bit heavy according to exchange rates ;)

[Water Warrior 2]

Just be thankful you aren't paying H-D or BMW shop rates. I can't believe what some of my coffee buds are shelling out for regular servicing.

[alantf]

Not pounds.....We use Euros. (€ not £) Checked exchange rate on Google. :hi:

[spldart]

Would you look at that... On a smart phone screen using my old eyes those two monetary symbols look the same..:shrug::hehe:
my bad 8)

[fairweatherrider]

I thank you both for the help. I don't have all the necessary equipment to check for problems. After seeing your advice, and the way it was not charging correctly, I brought the bike to a dealer. He checked out the charging system and found a ground short from the stator so I ok'd him to replace it and the regulator. I don't have enough experience to do it. If it was a little simpler I would attempt it. I'll let you know how it works out after the repair which is set for next Thursday.
Well, I had the stator and regulator changed, (wasn't cheap) but well worth it. I also had a new carburetor installed (wasn't cheap but what is on a bike). Runs real good now. The power is back. In the Spring I'm going to install a new chain and rear brakes.