Are stator & R/R replacement considered a necessity or an upgrade?

[Guest]

Really intrigued by the electrical topics. Been running my GS850 for a couple or few months and have nearly nearly 5,000 on it so far. It's in good tune and it is cared for correctly by myself. Checked the charging system when I was getting it road worthy and checked it again today and everything is functioning as it should be. The R/R age is unknown, maybe original, maybe replaced 6 times I can't tell, but it is functioning correctly. Stator obviously working correctly as well and I added additional ground wires on the bike. Should the SH-775 series type R/R & a Steve's rewound stator be considered a necessary upgrade or would you say wait until it's a needed upgrade? Are people just making the switch to avoide future trouble or make it after they discover trouble with their charging system? I am somewhat new to Japanese bikes but do realize many of the Japanese charging systems are inferior across the big 4 manufacturers. Are all of the OEM systems doomed to eventual failure?

[Grimly]

Let's put it this way; I fitted an SH775 after I lost yet another stator when I got lax about making sure there was a headlight load on all the time. I'll be fitting one to the other bike asap when it gets back on the road, and if another GS comes my way it will be getting one, too.
Imo, they are a stone-cold necessary upgrade and putting it off will cost you a stator.

[Nessism]

I'd make sure the stator is wired directly into the R/R. If it's wired into the main harness and you suffer a grounding issue, the harness may melt down. Beyond that, it's a matter of how much risk you feel willing to accept. Personally, I'd run what you got but monitor voltage with an onboard voltmeter. At the first sign of trouble, ditch the R/R and get a SH-775.

[mrbill5491]

Really intrigued by the electrical topics. Been running my GS850 for a couple or few months and have nearly nearly 5,000 on it so far. It's in good tune and it is cared for correctly by myself. Checked the charging system when I was getting it road worthy and checked it again today and everything is functioning as it should be. The R/R age is unknown, maybe original, maybe replaced 6 times I can't tell, but it is functioning correctly. Stator obviously working correctly as well and I added additional ground wires on the bike. Should the SH-775 series type R/R & a Steve's rewound stator be considered a necessary upgrade or would you say wait until it's a needed upgrade? Are people just making the switch to avoide future trouble or make it after they discover trouble with their charging system? I am somewhat new to Japanese bikes but do realize many of the Japanese charging systems are inferior across the big 4 manufacturers. Are all of the OEM systems doomed to eventual failure?

Well, if you think yours' is good, leave it alone or if money isn't a problem upgrade now and avoid a possible problem down the road. I've redone my system 5-6 times and since the last time I went with the Compufire (we didn't know about the SH775 until recently) and new RR and that has been 5 years and not a hiccup. Though when the bug decides to bite, you'll know it pretty quick, doesn't take long for the charging system to crap out. There are a few here that have had no problems with their OEM systems and there are ones like me. It's up to you what you want.

[posplayr]

Part of the problem is that it is dependent on the engine size and how you ride four bike. Bigger harder riden bikes burn up stators faster. Small engines less so. The two down sides of rolling the dice is.a) when the charging system might fail and b) if the stator goes you are looking at a small pita to pull the cover.

[eil]

Are all of the OEM systems doomed to eventual failure?

Yes.

Yours may work fine for now, but eventually it will not. If you don't want to bother with replacing the R/R now, at least buy a SH-775 now so that you already have one on hand for when (not if) yours does let go. I have a feeling these are not going to be cheap and widely available forever. Both of my bikes have them and I even have a spare on the shelf.

[dorkburger]

I agree with Nessim, especially on tthe risk part....Mine burned up 200 miles from home and on a major highway- Rt 95 outside of Washington DC...Ive read in other posts from you that you're using the bike on work related trips occasionally. Stranded on a pleasure ride is one thing, stranded on a work related trip is entirely another.......

[Joe Guilbeau]

These links should get you where you need to be....

Exploded diagram for Mikuni BS34 Carbs for a Kawasaki 750 circa 1980

http://www.motor-talk.de/bilder/kawasaki-kz750e-vergaser-mikuni-bs34-g55275314/matz-mikuni-bs34-forum-i205898131.html

Video of disassembly and cleaning of Mikuni 34 constant velocity carbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95nlrP-yn2I

From the GS Garage Section

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/docs/GS%20Carb%20Cleaning%20Series.pdf

Mikuni BS32SS Constant Velocity Carbs

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/BS32SS_Carbs.pdf

[tom203]

Let's put it this way; I fitted an SH775 after I lost yet another stator when I got lax about making sure there was a headlight load on all the time. I'll be fitting one to the other bike asap when it gets back on the road, and if another GS comes my way it will be getting one, too.
Imo, they are a stone-cold necessary upgrade and putting it off will cost you a stator.

I agree 100%- why court trouble when you can avoid it simply.

[Scout]

Well I went ahead and ordered the Polaris r/r and the Triumph wire harness. All told under $100 bucks, well worth the piece of mind. I will stay with my stator unless it shows difficulty, I think a lot of these old bikes are run low on oil and that probably adversely affects the stator's life as much as anything.

Off the immediate topic but who came up with the names "Parts Outlaw" and 'Bike Bandit" for their names, just silly

[OldVet66]

Off the immediate topic but who came up with the names "Parts Outlaw" and 'Bike Bandit" for their names, just silly

I don't know about Parts Outlaw, but I believe Bandit is a Black Lab.