So at about 20,000 miles, my bike popped the main fuse, then popped it again a couple miles down the road. Replaced the voltage regulator, problem went away.

This morning, 26,500 miles, the entire electrical system went dead. I'm gonna suspect the main fuse again, 'cause NOTHING on this bike worked.

Any thoughts? I love my GS, but this is twice that it's left me stranded - and this morning, I missed an assignment that my boss is PISSED OFF about.

I would remove the covers on the left side(shifter side) and check the stator and rotor.Make sure the magnets aren't loose,cracked or the epoxy isn't cracking.Also check the starter and make sure it isn't locked up.Check the starter relay also.If the starter clutch hangs it may cause electrical problems.Always check for the obvious 1st.Bare wires,broken wires,bad connections,corroded grounds and battery.These are the things that cause electrical problems the most.

Signs of a faulty reg/rect are....battery charge/discharge issues and dim/bright/flickering lights, if you have not got any of these symptoms its unlikely to be faulty. What is more likely is that somewhere in the wiring you have an intermitant short to ground. I would be carefully examing the harness and cabling for signs of damage, particularly around the headstock where it flexes and can become trapped.

"Intermittent short" is exactly the phrase I was hoping not to hear. I'll look, but at this point, I'm looking hard at a new SV ...

Quote from: morbidelli17 on March 28, 2008, 03:09:22 PM
"Intermittent short" is exactly the phrase I was hoping not to hear. I'll look, but at this point, I'm looking hard at a new SV ...

Are you planning to sell/trade the GS?If so,price and locale may be good to put it in the for sale/wanted section.People have be inquiring about buying a GS.I have been looking for another one but the price has to be LOW.I already have to but would like to have another.1 of mine is project bike and my daily rider is down for upgrades and serious maitainence.The bike in my avatar is my daily.Looks a little different now.

I'm in Southern California, actually. I haven't decided yet. If my shop guys can find a definite short, I'll probably hang onto it a bit longer. I mean, I know I ride a lot, but these things shouldn't be burning through voltage regulators in 6,000 miles.

Would a short to ground actually burn out the regulator? Or did my shop just guess that the regulator had gone bad and replace it, instead of looking for the real problem?

Your thoughts appreciated.

A surge caused by a short to earth anywhere in the system could in theory damage the sensitive electronics in the reg/rect, equally a faulty reg/rect could in itself cause a direct short to earth or across the battery which would also blow the fuse but to have two generally reliable components fail in the same way is more than coincidental. Its impossible to say what your shop have or have not done but I suspect there is an underlying problem that is being overlooked. I would take the issue up with them and ask them why they think two should fail like this in a relatively short period of time.

Thanks. I think you're right. And it may well be my doing; I may have pinched a wire when I put the Hurricane clip-ons on the bike. Who knows? But knowing what to look for, I have every confidence the shop will sort it out.

Of course, I'll still probably buy a new SV tomorrow. $5899 out the door, zero percent financing.

I believe you could always check the continuity of the wires from the pin sets to see if you have a wire break. -- JIM

Heard back from the shop. All the electrican components are fine. They replaced the fuse and they've ridden it around with no problems. I think I'll retire this bike to city duty until I can check every wire and connector myself, or maybe replace the wiring harness. Man, I hate electrical repairs.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and if any other thoughts come to mind, lemme know. I love my GS and I want to keep him running right.

Just got the bike back from the shop. Noticed that the battery was dry - I mean like no fluid. Refilled it. What makes a battery go dry?

Quote from: morbidelli17 on April 09, 2008, 02:37:50 PM
Just got the bike back from the shop. Noticed that the battery was dry - I mean like no fluid. Refilled it. What makes a battery go dry?

Over charging causes the water to boil off.This could be from the bike or a battery charger.Heat can cause evaporation also.

I really wonder how much current the alternator is kicking out ... I mean, I've blown every light bulb on the dashboard except neutral ...

Quote from: morbidelli17 on April 09, 2008, 03:56:05 PM
I really wonder how much current the alternator is kicking out ... I mean, I've blown every light bulb on the dashboard except neutral ...

You can pick up cheap volt meters for $10 to $15.

Question is, where do I measure that? Across the battery while it's running?

I'd do it inline with the engine at 5000rpm.I believe that is how the dealerships do it.Not 100%.Try this.It's a .pdf so it may load slow,but it's the factory service procedure. http://www.bbburma.net/Documents/JohnBates_ChargingCircuitTests3.pdf

Dude, that is exactly the document I've been looking for. Thank you - M

Quote from: sledge on March 28, 2008, 02:18:37 PM
Signs of a faulty reg/rect are....battery charge/discharge issues and dim/bright/flickering lights

....now the full story reveals itself.

Tested it across the battery terminals, like it said, at 5000 rpm. 14.2 volts. So that's good. Will look for other problems next ...

Quote from: morbidelli17 on April 09, 2008, 11:15:13 PM
Dude, that is exactly the document I've been looking for. Thank you - M

You're welcome.happy I could help.Have you pulled the head light and looked for bare wires and shorts?I have to admit that I am more familiar with auto electrics,but I'm learning quickly about MCs.