Charging Issue?

My 1986 VFR700 has about 26,000 miles on it and when the battery is good and charged the bike runs good, but it seems as if the battery drains down and it starts running like crap (only on two cylinders) If I shut the bike off, after riding for awhile or if it stalls and I try to restart it, the starter just clicks (dead battery). As soon as I jump start the bike (with a jumper pack) it runs fine. How do I go about checking the charging system?

Thanks

 

Sounds like you have the dreaded burnt rectifiyer!
My bike had the same issue... but the R/R fixed it.

 

There is a lot of info herein about the dreaded r/r issue. There is even a how-to on changing the r/r.

Here is a link to a recent thread: http://vfrworld.com/forums/third-fourth-generation-1990-1997/9843-91-electrical-problems.html It's for a newer model than yours, but the basics are the same. In that thread is a description of how to test for r/r failure. Keep in mind, the r/r can be hit and miss, meaning it might work one moment and not work the next.

I will say that you might just have a bad battery as well. I would have it checked before buying an r/r. If the battery checks out good, the r/r is the next step.

 

Sounds like your battery won't hold a charge. Try this layman's test.

1. Start the bike. Shut it off
2. Repeat #1 - should be able to start the bike about 10-15 times before the battery starts dying.
3. If the battery starts dying after about 5 times, replace the battery.

Note: Check the 3 yellow wires from the Regulator. The solderless connector does not have a large enough surface area to handle the voltage/amps. Usually you will see burnt insulation/melted connector and while running, the wires will be very hot. Some have experienced the side cover melting from the heat.

Solution is to cut the wires back to good copper and solder in a length of wire to replace what you cut out (same size guage is OK). Remove the connector and solder the wires directly together. Some put in an extra length for ease when working around the RR. It's what I did on my 'Ceptor and my ole' Magna.

 

I was reading the voltage off the battery and it is below 13ish volts, but at 5,000 rpm I only get 13.45-13.50 volts. I think I remember reading that it is supposed to be around 14.9?

So do my findings mean a bad rectifier?

 

So I just got back from about an 8 miles ride, the battery was fully charged before leaveing, not I come back shut the bike off and try to restart it and it tries to turn over but there isn't enough juice in the battery left to start the bike.

 

From what other bikes can I get an R/R from? v45? v65? vfr750?

Thanks

 

FANTASTIC ARTICLE here:

http://www.cycleconnections.com/articledetail.asp?TypeID=23&ID=284

Maybe put in the Wiki ??

 

http://www.electrosport.com/electrosport_fault_finding.html

Great place to start.

To give you that warm fuzzy feeling when you ride once you get it fixed look for this link:
http://vfrworld.com/forums/gear-accessories/9884-kuryakyn-led-volt-meter.html