regulator rectifier issue

[wiebetim]

After blowing all the lights on my '81 GS400L last summer I finally took the time today to look into what happened. A Suzuki mechanic directed me to check the regulator rectifier, so I used my service manual and ohm-meter to check it and the voltage on it spiked up to 35 volts at 5000 RPM.
What do you folks recommend I replace it with, because a new one for just under $300 is not an option.

[BriTXbike]

bwringer posted this a while back. It's comprehensive and simple

I was just browsing fleaBay for any cheap goodies that might turn up for my wife's Honda CM400T.

I searched for the words "honda cm400".

Right now, there are at least five regulator/rectifiers up for auction, none over $10.

This is the excellent quality Shindengen unit successfully used by me and many others to replace the pathetic Suzuki part.

STF for more complete instructions, but here's how the wiring goes:

Three yellow => stator wires in any order

Green => ground

Black => SWITCHED (live only when the key is on) positive +12V. Splice in to a tail light wire or somesuch.

Red => Battery positive +12V (behind a fuse, please). You can use the existing wire for this.

My bike was sorta OK with the stock part (13.5V max, visible flickering), but the new R/R rocks - a solid, steady 14.7V anywhere above idle. It also runs much cooler.

[wiebetim]

BriTXbike, thanks for the super quick reply. I'm off to Ebay.

[wiebetim]

regulator rectifier

Does the regulator rectifier that I replace mine with have to be from a similar displacement bike or is the final voltage the real issue? Ebay has dozens of them and that makes the question necessary.

[BriTXbike]

I'll need a confirmation from a Sr in here but to my understand they are like the coils on the bikes, all the same voltage

[randyshipp]

I was just browsing fleaBay for any cheap goodies that might turn up for my wife's Honda CM400T.

I searched for the words "honda cm400".

Right now, there are at least five regulator/rectifiers up for auction, none over $10.

This is the excellent quality Shindengen unit successfully used by me and many others to replace the pathetic Suzuki part.

Are there any restrictions one should pay attention to if buying one of these Honda R/Rs for a GS? For my 1980 GS850GL, should I stick to R/Rs off of bigger bikes? Later model bikes? Avoid either of these?

I see there are lots of parts out there, but I'm not sure which to look at.

Randy...

[wiebetim]

Sheningen R/R's

When I was on the Sheningen website I saw there were different regulator rectifiers and different voltages associated with them. From reading my manual I got the sense that my bike could fit any voltage between 14 and 15.5 volts. I just ended up talking with a Suzuki/ Kawasaki mechanic and he recommends only that I stay with a R/R from a bike with similar displacement because bigger batteries are needed for bigger displacements and that affects what the R/R is having to do for work.
I hope this is helping others because it is a lot of fun learning about this stuff. Randy, good luck finding your part. I believe you'll have an easier time than I am because ebay has tons of R/R's from bigger bikes. I got 15 new listings sent to my inbox just today. Just make sure you're satisfied with the research so far.

[randyshipp]

Re: Sheningen R/R's

Randy, good luck finding your part. I believe you'll have an easier time than I am because ebay has tons of R/R's from bigger bikes. I got 15 new listings sent to my inbox just today. Just make sure you're satisfied with the research so far.

Well, whether it's the smartest move or not I'm not sure, but I'm going to go ahead and order the Rick's R/R. I've found someone selling it for $70, so I'll take a chance on that. In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes open for a cheap Shindengen to pick up...there's always the '82 GS850GL out behind the shed that will be needing one someday.

Randy...