VFR electrical troubles...

[Kevintrepid]

I had been hoping to run a '98 VFR as a commuter and trackday bike, but after a month of riding it on the road, the first time I tried taking it to the track, I blew out the battery the first day, and then the second day, with a new battery, blew it out while riding and lost all electrics, fuel injection, everything. Pretty sure I over-revved it.

I was on vacation in Wisconsin en route to duty here in Washington, and my bike has sat at my Uncle's house all summer. Eventually a local mechanic replaced the CDI and the bike started running again, just like that, but it's running hot, and the cooling fan is not coming on at the right time. So it's still being inspected for electrical gremlins, and maybe it will get out here in time for the rainy season... :mad: there's always next year.

My question is about the VFR... does anyone else use this bike for a track bike and/or commuter? Any experience you can share about the electrical system and riding/revving these V4 engines is much appreciated. I'm starting to think I was wrong to even attempt such a set up... I could use some words of good faith.

[Speeddealer]

The cooling fan system is very simple and not related to anything else. Look at your fan switch (usually on the radiator) and jump the two leads - it should come on. If your cooling fan is acting stange- than it is usually: No water in your radiator,switch,fan blade/motor problems or a wiring issue.

Sounds like you may have a charging problem - probably a rectifire gone bad (common) low/high voltage will cause all sorts of problems. Call George Dean Cycles 425 778 4333 and have them check it out.

Hope this helps,
Dave

[Kevintrepid]

Yup, that sounds good. That local guy back home has a new switch on order, and the bike is finally scheduled for shipment out here on the 19th, I will go pick it up at the airport probably the 24th. I had sold my previous bike, a VFR400, just about a year ago, and I've only ridden a few times since then, schools, other guy's bikes, and this one last May, before it gave out on me. Wish I could have it here in time for this weekend, but oh well...

I'll be looking to ride on the good (and not-so-good) weather days, as long as I can keep the bike running! I'm in Kitsap County, looking for rides. Post up when you got some, guys.

Thanks again for the good word. I'll keep that number on file.

[blacktieracing]

VFR's are notorious for having electrical problems. Mostly water getting into the wiring harness through the plugins.

Buy some dilectric grease and smear it on EVERY (and I mean EVERY) electrical connection on the bike. I realise that this will be tediuous and time consuming, but necessary. Keeping the water out of the wires will stop pretty much all your issues.


Diane

[Kevintrepid]

That's a good idea... I have some time now to try that.

It's finally running again, though... I took it to Brother's Powersports in Bremerton and they ran the complete diagnostic. Turns out that my fan switch had been on fritz, which had been replaced, the hot engine had melted the wires running from alternator to stator and to R/R. Ugh.

The battery was bad, too... running on the highway with the lights on with a bad charging system ran it down beyond recharge.

Wierd thing now, I had flicked on the high beams and those cut out, but my low beams work. Both low beam bulbs are lit where previously only one was. I suspect it's the relay, tomorrow I plan to swap out the hi/lo relays and check.

And, pisser, the temp ran up to 220 F where the fan should come on at about 205-215. There is a new switch in there, but maybe it shorted somehow when I blew the hi beam relay. Or maybe the thermostat is faulty.

At least it's rainy and cold outside.

Enjoy the evening at the dinner tonight, everyone. See you next year.

[dragon511]

Keep an eye on the voltage regulator/rectifier, too. The older VFR's had a lot of failures of that component, mostly heat related. Don't know about the newer ones.

JC

[Kevintrepid]

For the record, the VFR's stator wiring loom was pinched up against the engine casing and caused about 30% of AC to be grounded before even reaching the rectifier. Brother's Powersports was good to their guarantee and re-fixed it at no charge, but they missed the cooling system again, the hoses were mis-routed! Easy fix though. I've put about 400 miles on it now since Christmas, seems to be okay. With any luck, I will be able to ride it to some race weekends and maybe even a Sullivan School Day this summer!

I still have to go through it with the dielectric grease... gotta replace a couple running lights already.

But she does feel good, planted and stable out here at regular speeds... building more confidence every day, little by little. It's going to be a nice summer, relaxing and smooth. See you all soon.