Regulator / Rectifier....... HELP ME ...... PLEASE !

I own a 1999 vfr800, love the bike, everything about it, but I have literally had to replace my regulator/rectifier everyother year. To date I've put (4) f'n rectifiers on this bike. It's really pissing me off, but I love riding this bike and right now I refuse to replace the inoperable one with the very same one I've been replacing it with a 5th time. The last time the bike died on me was at a gas station. I went to fill up, and the bike refused to start...and of course it immediately STARTED TO RAIN !!!! I read somewhere that as perfect as this bike is the one manufacturers defect on this bike was its original regulator/rectifier. I've inquired at my local Honda bike dealer (in South Florida) regarding the upgraded replacement unit, but they seem to not know what I'm talking about, and are more than willing to sell me the very same unit I purchased from them just 2 years prior. If anyone out there knows the model # of this upgraded unit or have any suggestions I would GREATLY appreciate it. I really miss riding my bike......Thanks!

 

As the #1 most frequent complaint about VFRs, there is no lack of information about fixing it here. No honest dealer could claim he didn't know about the r/r failures or how to fix it, so those guys BS'ed you.

Seems that fewer VF series have r/r failures (or maybe they don't get ridden as much?), and Honda used smaller wire diameters after gens 1&2 (too save money or to save weight?) and smaller plug contacts, so that could have caused problems on later models since smaller wires=more resistance, less current carrying capacity. In fact, i believe it did, imo.

Also, the early 1&2 wiring was best quality multi-strand, copper wire while compromises were made on later models, and the quality wasn't the same, imo.

Additionaly, imo, the Honda wiring harnesses seem to route too many separate components to ground through too few wires. I have no EE degree (cuz i couldn't hack the math), only opinions, so all this could be dumb crap, but unemployed guys in winter need somethin to do.........eh ?

 

According to the website info Wire My Bike offers an upgraded R/R for your '99. Couldn't hurt to shoot them an Email.

Click me.>>>>>Wire My Bike

 

I am pretty sure the 06 and up gen 6 stator,rotor and R/R will fit with no wiring mods and they appear to be pretty bullet proof.

 

Whoever you talked to at "your dealer" is either brain dead or a pathological liar or you are walking in with one of those "I am a mullet" Tshirts on. ...and no, Honda is never ever going to own up to this parts failure.

 

Some are now going with a Compufire R/R rather than the OEM shunt type - said to stress the stator less by shutting it down as needed rather than running it all out continuously and shunting the excess current to ground. Don't have one myself but they do seem to get good reviews by users.

Link >->-> Compufire R/R install wrap - up on a 5th gen (finally) - VFR Discussion

Get yourself a VFRNess from wiremybike as mentioned above which will provide and additional path to ground, and when you order, get a tube ($3) of Oxgard. Separate *all* the connectors in the charging system (pay particular attention to the 3 yellow wire connector from the stator to the R/R) , be sure all contacts are clean and apply a film of Oxgard to promote conductivity and prevent any corrosion. Also, follow the battery negative cable from the battery to the chassis, remove it, clean if necessary and apply Oxgard. I found it easier to access it by reaching through the subframe from the left side but maybe that was just me. While you're at it, do the stator checks shown in the service manual to see if there are any issues with that. The stator on my '99 started showing signs of fatigue at under 10,000 miles.

 

Thanks guy...I'm gonna try contacting Ricks Motorsport Electrics and order the one they have.....hopefullly this will get me back on my bike. Not really handy with my hands when it comes to bike repair....but replace and plug I can do.... Thanks again.