1200 Charging Issuses

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:44 am[/url]":15h1i5fd]
Quick way to verify the mileage.....if in fact it is the original 7K miles, the tires may be original or at best changed once. If they do not look brand new or recently changed, check the tire code and find out when they were made. Also, find out if both front and back are the same make. If 7K original miles, the back tire will have more wear than the front and the front should be less than half worn. Just my 2 cents.

If the bike looks as good as it sounds (other than a potential stator) I would be surprised that he would want to part it out with that low of mileage.

Brian, don't forget in PA, all mileage must be reported on the Title. Compare the Title stated mileage at the time of registration to the PO compared to the bike today.

Well Gerry, I am beginning to believe the mileage might be correct.

As far as why he was getting rid of it... I guess the 2010 1800 that just arrived and the HD sitting in the garage was enough for him to say that the THREE 1200 Standards had to go.

I just brought it home an after taking a quick look at the tires (both matching Conti's) and the codes, front = 48th week of either 86 or 96 and the rear = 49th week of 87 or 97. I am thinking the tires were changed in 97ish and then the bike went into a barn where it sat until July 2009 when it was sold to the guy I bought it from. When he bought it, it had 7100 and today it has 7145 miles. The brake rotors are showing no wear or very little wear at all, and the same with the Honda original keys. Usually keys that are used a lot will start to show signs of wear, these look like they are almost new.

Now the fun begins - figuring out what the charging system is and isn't doing... I already know:

1. At 3000 rpm's the voltage at the battery is reading 11.98 which is the same voltage that the battery has when the bike is not running.

2. The yellow wires have been soldered together, so the connector is not an issue, but I am not sure if the wires were soldered correctly so that is going to be where I check next.

But after driving 800 miles in 30 hours, I am exhausted!

What else should I be thinking about and looking for?

 

[joedrum]

well this is a great bike ....it sounds toast on stator ....I do know that 1100 stator fits in 1200 bike ,, I assume 1000 will to ....it very well could be the connection on stator wires no good enough a huge problem .....I find it strange that a standand would have power problems from over lighting ....I also know if you want to really figure it out voltage meter is in the game and have to get one ,,,sheesh a pain in the butt to get use to ......im assuming the 45 miles on it means it running right now ? ,,,,if so id still take timing belt cover off ...ck the timimg of belts and tension ....and with plugs out and valve covers off id turn the motor with crank bolt and watch each valve for operated and feel for excess drag looking for corroded valve cause drag ....1200 are kinda hard to deal with the hydraulic heads ...seems I cant use my rubber hammer like id on earlier oldwings with strait rockers .....sprayer inside cylinders too and do the best clean up by crank bolt you can ....and if it needs new belts id do so ...if it says Honda they are probably original ...sheesh go slow with this so your not gambling much while the stator is getting figured out ... :mrgreen:

 

[brianinpa]

Joe, it is running and riding fine. Shifts smooth, idles nice, and no growl from the rear diff. The timing belts were just changed, carbs just overhauled, fork seals replaced, and new fluids all around. The only things wrong that I can find is the stator issue and some rust on the exhaust pipes aft of the can. Other than that, the only other let down is that there are a few extra holes drilled by the original owner in the rear fender and the grab bar: for what I can only assume some leather saddlebags.

 

[joedrum]

hard to beat that ... the stator will get fixed and is the biggest reason this bike is so well preserved ...

 

[brianinpa]

Is there any way to read exactly what the stator is putting out? I'm sure there is, but not sure where to look other than the battery. I guess I want to make sure before I pull the motor.

 

[joedrum]

yes ..read my thread on putting a charge in hooch ...and read all about things not to do ... :smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: :mrgreen:

 

[Ansimp]

But in the end you got it all sorted and Hooch is now fully charged :good:

 

[backyardtrouble]

I would look at the yellow plug wires too, as dan mentioned, make sure there not burnt and making good connection, also check them with a meter, just to make sure it is bad yourself. Also check the wires from the yellow plug up to the rectifer and make sure there pluged in good, sometimes they do not get connected back together very good, if someone else has been there. It's a nice looking bike, wish i could find one like it close to home... :beg: ..i've been wanting one too.

 

[dan filipi]

Stator Testing- 1984 Models (According to Honda)

(Click to Gallery)
View media item 14325

 

[brianinpa]

What should I be reading on one yellow wire?

 

[brianinpa]

Oops. Thanks Dan!

 

[backyardtrouble]

what are you reading....

 

[brianinpa]

Nothing yet. I'm stuck at work today...

 

[brianinpa]

In the steps Dan posted, it calls for an external tach... why?

 

[dan filipi]

brianinpa » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:08 am[/url]":2n2uj967]
What should I be reading on one yellow wire?

According to number 6 I believe that means test with meter on yellow and yellow.

 

[backyardtrouble]

the external tach is usally for a better reference. the tach's on these bike could be off 200 to 500 rpm's or more...or it could be correct..but not usually.

 

[brianinpa]

I see, so if an external arch is not available, then the factory tach will have to do.

 

[brianinpa]

dan filipi » Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:55 am[/url]":1r73t42m]

brianinpa » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:08 am[/url]":1r73t42m]
What should I be reading on one yellow wire?

According to number 6 I believe that means test with meter on yellow and yellow.

Not what I meant. I posted that before reading your post and wasn't sure what reading I should see on my meter on one yellow lead. Your link answers my questions, which is nothing new...

 

[backyardtrouble]

yes, you can use your tach on the bike. Now, about the yellow plug wires, there are three, check the continuity between each one, number them 1,2,3. i usually get a reading of 1.5 to 1.9 between the wires, 1 & 2, 2 & 3, and 1 & 3, but if you do not get any reading between any two..then you have an open leg and it's bad, then check each one to ground to your motor, if not reading anything from all 3 then it's ok, as long as no open leg. IF it checks out ok, then go ahead and start it and check the voltage from each leg as posted in the letter by dan.

 

[brianinpa]

Well I wanted to get out of work on time tonight and wouldn't you know it, someone walked in at 4:56 to rent a moving truck :rant:

So I got home late but I was not to be deterred. I needed to warm it up, but there wasn't any gas in the tank and all my gas tanks are empty. So, how does one get gas in a bike that isn't legally titled/registered in PA yet (it is insured though) when there is a legally registered bike sitting right next to it... :read: Yep, swap the plates and go for a short joy ride. Oh I am going to like this bike!!!

Anyway, back to the saga.

If my meter reading skills are any good, I am getting zero readings when reading for continuity between all wires, so that tells me there is an open, or a bunch of them. When I fired it up just to check what the stator is putting out, I am only reading between 32 and 35 volts AC, so it looks like I have a stator swap in my future.

During my short 10 mile joy ride, I did notice I have a front caliper not bleeding fluid back to the front master cylinder, so I got some work to do there also. I also know what Gerry has been saying about taking his back to naked: I need a wind screen. I got a little one with the bike, but I am not sure it will be big enough. Time will tell.

These old girls are REALLY quick when they have been put on a diet!