Need help diagnosing/troubleshooting! 1992 VFR750F

Hey fellow kiwibikers!
Well yesterday I was super stoked to head an hour out of Auckland to pick up a mint condition 1992 Honda VFR750F with 40,000 miles on the odometer. It was in very good condition and you could tell the previous owner had taken good care of it. (no nicks in the fairing, braided brake lines, etc.)

Apparently it hadn't been ridden much over the last couple of years- he said he'd start it up and take it around the block once in a while to keep it fresh.

So just north of Wellsford on our way back to auckland, when giving it throttle it just lost power and quit! After a good 40km of flawless riding.
Our first thought was perhaps the regulator/rectifier had gone, (when turning key on, the instrument dash lights up, but the starter just "clicks", doesn't turn over the engine).
Looking in the fusebox we could see that the FAN fuse had blown (and the frame was hot) so we're afraid maybe it over-heated. After replacing the fuse though, it still wouldn't start, and even giving it a rolling start- would turn over the engine, but no fire.

So I've got it towed and in storage now, have you guys got any idea what the issue could be? I really hope it's only electrical, but it concerns me that we couldn't roll-start it!

Really appreciate any insight!
Cheers,
Jordan

 

Welcome !!!!!!!!

Charge or replace the battery, first thing. Try again. If no start, check for spark. "Click" but no power usually is a weak, discharged battery. Inspect the wires on top of the starter relay for burning.

Two tests always need to be made before your FIRST ride (and after you've set the tyre pressures), no matter how good the bike looks: Does it charge the battery ?? Does the fan come on when temp goes over half way up (so that it won't overheat).


Enjoy the new bike !!!

 

Hi
+1 on what Mr Squirrelman said ,charge ,test or replace the battery then see if it charges once running. I had a 1990 model and got through 3 regulators in 150,000 miles.
Hope you get it sorted .

 

Unfortunately, you have found out the hard way, the same as many VFR owners before you have. The charging system, on these bikes, is designed to maintain a serviceable, well charged battery. If the battery is defective, or just low, from sitting for long periods of time, the system will overheat and fail at which ever happens to be the weakest link on that particular bike. It is often the R/R, but can also be a melted wire or connector. There are many posts here that cover the testing methods for troubleshooting this dilemma. Most of them will advise you to get and use a battery tender, to prevent this from happening again.

You need electricity to create spark. If the battery is dead and the charging system is down, there can be no spark.

Make sure to check the fan problem once you get it going. It may be fine, but if the fan motor or wiring/connectors are bad, the fuse will blow again and you don't want that to happen.

Good luck,

:crazy:

 

Sounds similar to an issue I had recently that ended up being electrical. Charge or replace battery first and see if it makes a difference. If you get the bike running check the voltage at battery for signs or under/over charging. Obviously you should also inspect the R/R plug wire behind the right rear fairing for signs of melting or burning. Another area that is prone to failure is the plastic connector where the stator wires plug into the main harness behind the right mid fairing. I've owned two 3rd gens and both had charging issues due to this component being melted. Even if the harness looks OK I would be inclined to beef up the wiring. Both my 3rd gens also ran extremely hot especially on the right side. After speaking to many other 3rd Gen owners we have come to the conclusion that the high heat output is normal for this machine.

Rollin