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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 22 Jul 2016
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Check the earth. -ve battery post to frame, swingarm, forks etc. No resistance.

Andy
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  #2  
Old 22 Jul 2016
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Also check the condition of the alternator brushes and the condition of the slip rings on the rotor. If the brushes are about 60-70% worn which means they are disappearing inside the plastic casing they need replacing, if the slip rings are dirty they can be cleaned with scotchbrite.
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  #3  
Old 22 Jul 2016
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Suspects so far;

The alternator - as the light is working correctly I'd think that is ok.

The kill switch will make itself evident by the instrument warning lights not working.

Possible loose wire from battery to starter motor (and return to the battery negative terminal).

All possibilities, needing carefull thought by the op to think about the symptoms and getting them to match the results of the above problems. More testing and information may aid analysis.
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  #4  
Old 22 Jul 2016
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Electrics

Guy, Andy, Warin - thank you!

I'll take a closer look today. 1st coffee.

The year of the R80 g/s is 1981.

Anon,

Bob
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  #5  
Old 23 Jul 2016
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Update

Gents,

An update. The charging system seems fine - battery reading 12.55 and 13.8 with revs.

Connection to and from starter motor also seems fine. Same goes for HT leads to coil.

Took off mudguard to inspect the crush of wires leading into headlamp unit. Found one earth wire with exposed wiring. Not sure if that's the culprit but taped it up.

Inspected other wires for wear and tear but found none, nor corrosion.

Tomorrow I head off in the direction of Chachapoyas, the ride between Celendin (my current location) and Leymebamba said to be heaven on Earth. Insh'allah I'll make it - Chachpoyas, not heaven.

To be continued . . .

Bob
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  #6  
Old 23 Jul 2016
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While the fault is not evident it will be very hard to find

When it does occur you need to be very observant as to what happens.

If the engine dies do the instrument warning lights come on?
If not then possibly the kill switch, fuse holder, ignition key switch..
If it does than possibly the hall effect switch, coil, ICU ...

As for the starter?
You say it 'thinks twice before starting" ... you mean
you press the button and nothing happens .. then eventually the starter motor turns on? That just sounds like a dirty starter button.. or a relay contact.
OR
the starter motor turns and turns .. and eventually the engine fires up?
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  #7  
Old 23 Jul 2016
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Hi Warin,

Thanks for the reminder to pay attention to the warning lights if the engine cuts out again.

As for the starter, the symptoms are like a dirty starter button which I've now cleaned (the starter motor fires up well on second push). I've been assuming the engine cut out is related but perhaps it's a separate issue.

Thanks again. More anon.

Bob
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