Stator Quality

[Anonymous]

I know from the stator papers and various discussions that the general charging system can be a (the) weak link in the GS line. I guess my question is as follows:

Are the stators themselves inherently weak (like the RRs)? OR, was it the "unique" wiring that dumped unregulated 3rd phase voltage that did the stators in?

The wiring on my 1980 GS850 DOES NOT have a wire going directly to any headlight, and instead all three phases proceed directly to my RR (which I recenly updated to a Honda CX500 model). Therefore, can I feel secure that my stator will be fine? OR, is it also a weak link that may fail me sometime many hundred miles from home and tools and garage?

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject.

Best.

[focus frenzy]

it is not the stator or regulator that are the weak spot, but the connectors used that cause the problems.

its not just GS's that have charging problems, plenty Hondas are known for toasting their stators/charge coils (gold wings, silver wings/ cm400's)

it even happens with new bikes, I know of a yamaha R-1 that nuked its regulator and followed that up a couple months later with its igniter going up in smoke.

[saaz]

VFR Hondas are also known for doing the RR

[Jethro]

It was always my impression that the problem mainly was that the stator was oversized and the R/R was undersized (for lack of a better word). Basically they spec'd a massive stator that created a whole bunch of excess power, and this overworked the R/R, causing excessive heat and corrosion (of the connectors primarily) and eventual failure of the R/R. The stator falls very shortly after the R/R blows.

This is what I've heard, but I don't know if it's right. You hear a lot of tall tales whenever you start talking cars or bikes with people.