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i caught on fire

  • Thread starter Thread starter hmeric7
  • Start date Start date
H

hmeric7

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ok guys i just bought a 82 suzuki gs1100gk form a guy for 900 bucks. its in relativily good condition. i had yet to ride the bike but i decided to take it out today just to see how it would go. i got about 4 miles our of town and smelt soemthing meltling. i hurried up and turned around and went home got off bike and there was a fire under the battery. i tore the bike aprt and i belive i found that the voltage regulater had melted and burnt. there are soem bare wires around it and it looks like it may have been the wrong one becuase it didnt line up with the orignal holes and the plugged end was held together with a zip tie so i assuming they used one off another bike. my main ? is could this have cause the recitifier to melt or burn up by being the worng one for bike or the bare wires could have touched. my next ? is where can i get a new one that will fit my bike. there is alot on ebay not sure which one would work .
 
Most bikes have very similar charging systems. There is a strong following of honda R/R's here and I'm sure someone will be along shortly to sound off on that upgrade.

Here's one of my favorite charging system references from another site:
http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-tri...-diagnostics-rectifier-regulator-upgrade.html

Before any of that though you'll want to make sure the other wiring is OK. Then check the stator both with the bike off and with it running on bat power. Some reading:
http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_statorfacts.htm
 
no the bike is in good overall shap. no hacked up wires or antyhing. i do have mechanical knowledge but just thought id get some in put. anyways thanks for ure insight?
 
hmeric7 said:
no the bike is in good overall shap. no hacked up wires or antyhing. i do have mechanical knowledge but just thought id get some in put. anyways thanks for ure insight?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have thought catching fire on the first ride to be a sign of good overall shape.
Do the maintenance.
 
tkent02 said:
I wouldn't have thought catching fire on the first ride to be a sign of good overall shape.
Do the maintenance.
Click to expand...
Yes, or maybe this bike is just begging for attention.
Mr. hmeric7;..... find stator wires, find R/R and disconnect both. Charge battery, go for short ride and make sure you have decent transmission - best to find out BEFORE you get to those newbie mistakes. Lights off, you got at least half hour- don't go far!
 
Was the seller a Chevy Volt mechanic?

For some reason the Japanese bike manufacturers made charging systems with flimsy connectors between the alternator and the R/R. These connectors have been notorious problems on Suzukis and Hondas especially for decades. Yet they never improved the design of the system.

The connector in your system became corroded and built up enough resistance to overheat and cause a fire. In most bikes, they just cause the charging system to fail completely and the battery dies (while riding in a remote location) before anything ignites.

You need to fully test your charging system and will probably end up replacing the stator and R/R. Search the forum (especially BikeCliff's welcome page) and you'll find the right answers.
 
FiremanBob said:
Was the seller a Chevy Volt mechanic?

For some reason the Japanese bike manufacturers made charging systems with flimsy connectors between the alternator and the R/R. These connectors have been notorious problems on Suzukis and Hondas especially for decades. Yet they never improved the design of the system.

The connector in your system became corroded and built up enough resistance to overheat and cause a fire. In most bikes, they just cause the charging system to fail completely and the battery dies (while riding in a remote location) before anything ignites.

You need to fully test your charging system and will probably end up replacing the stator and R/R. Search the forum (especially BikeCliff's welcome page) and you'll find the right answers.
Click to expand...

In this case I think a fireman's input is invaluable.
 
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