| Author |
Message |
    
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 06:18 pm: | 
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A bike stalling in traffic is no different than a car stalling in traffic. I had a Ford van blow an ignition fuse, coasted to the side of the road and got it towed. I ran out of gas once, coasted to the side of the road. I broke a belt once, I coasted to the side of the road. I had bearings fail, I coasted to the side of the road.
If your charging system fails, you get plenty of warning, I was able to ride about 50 miles with the battery light on with my CR and SYS VOLTAGE ERR on the display. I then stopped at a gas station and had it towed. This is not something that violently happens out of nowhere, like the transmission oil jet that was recalled to prevent a dangerous wheel lockup at high speed.
From the NHTSA website:
quote:NHTSA is authorized to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment when investigations indicate they contain serious safety defects in their design, construction, or performance.
Now, I don't see how a failing charging system would be a serious safety defect, but go ahead and file the complaint, they might look at it differently than me.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm |
Ratsmc
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 06:19 pm: |
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Okay, after a bunch of reading through stator topics I can't find what I am looking for. Can anyone tell me if an over-heating regulator can cause the voltage drop in the same manner as the stator?
Or is the hot regulator just going to cause higher voltage? |
Daniii
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - 10:46 pm: |
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Chamelion, when mine did that (high voltage)it took out two headlights before I got it replaced. Restarting fixes the problem, but when cold, you can't read the voltage.
I learned today that high beam is a pretty significant load, and at low rpm, my voltage drops to as low as 12.5V when the engine is hot. With it off,it stays above 13.8, no matter how hot.
The service writer at the local HD shop today said he read a service bulletin that said "you gotta keep the RPM above 3K with the high beam on". |
Chameleon
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 12:00 am: |
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Yeah, I don't doubt it.
I noticed the same about the voltage reading being unavailable when warming up.
I suspect that the ballasts from my 55W HID kit act as a sort of line-conditioner or surge protector, softening the voltage spikes on the bulbs when I've had the over-voltage situation. My lights went out, but didn't blow.
I don't ride with my high beams on for long distances. I live in Tacoma which is probably the 3rd largest city in Washington state. I work in Seattle which is the largest. There are lots of lights and other cars, so I don't usually need the high beams. I almost exclusively use them as a visibility device to alert other drivers to my presence by flashing them. Sometimes I alternate the left & right blinkers while flashing the high beams. I guess I almost look like an emergency vehicle because people usually get out of the way REALLY FAST when I do that. It's good fun. |
Milleniumx1
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 10:04 am: |
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It's not what I'd think of when I think of a safety issue, but there's no harm in trying. The worst they can say is 'no', right?!
I didn't get plenty of warning when mine gave up. I went from batt light, CEL, system voltage, to DEAD in about 5 miles.
Hopefully I'll get it back soon ... Itching to put a few more miles on the thing while the weather is still Fall nice.
Mike |
Dannybuell
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 11:05 am: |
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Chameleon - Flashing headlights AND turn signals! "It's good fun" LOL!
I had one of those rotating LED tail light bulbs when they first came out in my S1, I did notice less tail gating and occasionally someone would drop back after being passed. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 11:13 am: |
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quote:I didn't get plenty of warning when mine gave up. I went from batt light, CEL, system voltage, to DEAD in about 5 miles.
That was still 5 miles to safely pull off the road, vs something that happens instantly like a defective tire blowing. But I agree, the worst the NHTSA will do is say no, so it is worth a shot.  |
Chameleon
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 12:40 pm: |
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I think the worst the NHTSA will say is nothing. Then we won't know either way if they care or not.
Them saying no would be better than saying nothing. |
Milleniumx1
| | Posted on Thursday, September 30, 2010 - 03:59 pm: |
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Froggy, true - Hell, I made it all the way home since my office is 4 miles away! The bike sat in my garage until the dealer came to pick it up the following week.
Chameleon and I must be cut from the same cloth. Silence (aka, indifference) annoys me. Yes or no ... You can even tell me to go F' myself. My wife oftentimes does 
Mike |
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