#1: Cylinder dropping out tip
Author: stereoguy,  Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:40
am
Hi all, I'm new here, I have a 1986
700 virago I bought new in 1986, I'm by no means a bike tech, but I do
love to ride my Virago.
I learned something new last fall while
working on a problem with the rectifier on my Virago. Problem, rectifier
(it actually blew a hole out the side of it). I checked the stator and
found it to be good, checked the battery, other than needing a charge it
seemed fine, I later replaced it anyway for good measure. I added a second
earth ground from the stator, after all of this the rectifier would get
extremely hot in a short period of time. I was about to the point of
replacing the stator regardless that it checked out. But thought I would
check one more thing. I decided that maybe I had a bad connection in the
charging system. I started with the connections between the stator and the
rectifier, took them apart and used some Deoxit 5 on them to clean them,
plugged and unplugged the connection several times. I traced the charging
system back to the battery taking apart each connection along the way,
spraying it with Deoxit and plugging and uplugging them. After having
cleaned all of the connections I found that the rectifier ran warm, it
should, but no longer hot.
Now to the beginning, I have been
fighting a loosing battle of a dropping rear cylinder for years, numerous
carb rebuilds, changed fouled plugs, rebuilt TCI all to no availe. Since I
have cleaned these connections I have not dropped a cylinder since. I am
going to now make it a part of my routine to clean all of the electrical
connections at least once a year. I have gone all summer now without
having dropped the cylinder.
My theory on what is happening, all
electrical connections will corrode, the corrosion dosn't have to be
visible, it may just be a dirty look to the brass. If you get caught in
the rain the process can be sped up. Age will also cause these connections
to corroded, look dirty causing excessive resistance. With more resistance
I don't believe that enough current is always availible to properly fire
the cylinder. Also excessive resistance will greatly reduce the life of
your stator, battery and rectifier.
Try cleaning your connections
if you are having intermittent problems. I use Deoxit, we use it a lot for
cleaning potetiometers in stereo equipment. You can use other contact
cleaners, do not use WD 40 it is not meant to be a contact cleaner.
stereoguy |