Need bike mechanic either near Cahors or near Versailles
 

For the second time in a week I woke up to a completely dead battery on my TA, both times it's been taken to a honda dealer by the breakdown people, but give that the first one sold me a hugely expensive new battery that is now dead, and the second one says he can't even start diagnosing it until my battery has been recharged (even though logically that isn't likely to be the problem), I'm not feeling hugely confident that it won't die again and would like to get it checked over by someone recommended!

I'm in the Lot area round Cahors for the next 2 weeks or so, then at my parents' near Versailles for a week, then I leave the place where I can speak the language, and woule really like to feek confident when I do that!!

Thanks

Laura

Hi Laura

I'm certainly no electrical expert but one possibility is that the Regulator/rectifier is going/gone. That's the finned thing behind a side panel (at least on the AT) It happens on ATs and the TA may be the same. How old /how many miles is your bike? This would help anyone who can offer advice. Apart from the component cost, attachment od a reg/rect should be a few minutes, as regards labour time. IF it's that. It happened on my AT in Czech Rep and Poland, tho' I got lucky with a brilliant repair shop. I am hopeless re.electrics, to my shame. Odd that someone said the batt needed to be recharged before working on it. And THIS was a Honda dealer? Any battery, a car battery, could be attached for test purposes. With a multimeter (only 5-10 ish euros at the cheapest in a big supermarket like Carrefour or Super-U?) you could check the alternator output which should be around 13 volts (corrected to 14.5, ta Dave) . Less is not good. (Correct me, experts)

I dont know of moto garagistes near Cahors, but you could try for technical advice on http://Honda trail bike forums. Here you will find out electrical knowhow and advice. Or Google Honda Concessionaires, Cahors or Versailles for a local dealer. Mind you, your Honda dealer experiences make me hesitate. Just go to any moto dealer. And ask any passing French motard for help in an emergency- they are good people and will help you. May I suggest you don't take the bike from Cahors to Versailles as it is a long way; at least till you get it fixed.

I hope someone posts to you with more - it sucks when the bike plays up away from home. You WILL find a solution, don't be down hearted.



When you've time, let me know what happened in the end?

Hi Laura
Like Caminando I am also not an electrics expert, although I should be after years of various ‘gremlins’ in the electrical systems of various vehicles!
Firstly I would get the battery charged, then with an AVO(multimeter) check to see if the bike will show a charge increase when ‘revved’, you can get a reading of up to 14.5v, if there is no increase in volts when ‘revved’ I would suspect the alternator giving a problem, I have never figured out how to test reg/rectifiers, my R80gs run its battery flat and that was due to non charging, at present my robin Diesel is boiling the battery water/acid and the Enfield Indian replacement rectifier costs £51,:nono: Hubb member in the states ‘Old gray wolf’ as just sent me a couple of ‘radio shack’ replacements incl postage for $15.:thumbup1:
Good luck and keep us all informed as to your progress, perhaps Chris (we love bikes) on the Hubb may be of assistance.

Hi Laura
With out doing a Meter test I can't be 100% sure.
But Being that your on a TA I would say it's poss that the Regulator/rectifier as gone.
I have just had the same fault on my Africa Twin and a new Regulator/rectifier which I fitted last week as sorted out my problem
If you find this is the fault then you should be able to fit your own.
It's only mounted with 2 10mm bolt's and just unplug's .
You can buy a meter to check your system for about £10

If you go on the XRV web site there is a break down on how to test your Regulator/rectifier .
have a look here...Hope this helps Laura...stay Safe...Dazzer

http://www.electrosport.com/technica...ng-diagram.pdf

Good advice there Laura.

Using this info, you could crack this yourself, you know. Just find out where to get a meter, then possibly a reg/rectifier*. I think it's common to several Hondas. If it were not for different connectors, a reg/rect from other makes would do it. Spend the dosh saved on labour if you do it youself on an excellent bottle of fine Cahors wine. Toast these guys above.There is a great market in Cahors to get it in. :scooter:

PS I think in French it's a *rectificateur - but check this. Not sure. Oh, yes, you will find on Honda Trails forums a parts list and exploded view of your bike - you can print off the relevant page to show the dealer. I think it's under Technical Data.

Hi Laura

There is one on Ebay for your bike ,it's £39.99 buy it now.
I'm sure they will post it to France for you. Hope this help's

here is the Number on Ebay 290287342945

Dazzer

Laura, I've posted on British Bikers France and Bike Club France for you, hopefully that should pull someone out of the woodwork. As soon as I hear anything I'll pass it on, either here on on Facebook, unless you want to PM me with a telephone no. in which case I always give you a ring.

I concur with all the above. V v likely that the reg/rec is the problem. Common TA problem. The battery is also likely to be toast (boiled dry).

Good luck,
Chris

Where's Laura?
Seen that she has not been online,or at least 'logged in' for 6 days now, anyone any idea if she is now 'back on the road'?

I'm alive!!
 

Thanks for all the advice people, I have been without internet for a while now (rural France doesn't have much wifi kicking about, and when staying with friends theirs got taken out by a storm!!). So, to let you know...

The bike is now running and has been for 10 days now - the 2nd Honda dealer found some corrosion on the alternator which he reckons was stopping it from charging. He also reckons that the heated grips were killing it because they could stay on when he turned off the ignition, but given they're wired straight to the battery that's something of a feature... The controller for them was quite knackered though so it's possible it was causing issues, I never had hot hands when I didn't expect them but who knows, they're disconnected now cos it's SUNNY!!!! (this is a novelty, I've had far more rain than shine over the last few days).

I now have a multimeter, check the battery periodically to make sure it hasn't been running down it shows around 13v with the ignition off - is this normal on a 12v battery? Been going on the it's running and no issues so no tampering principle!

My mother has also been asking anyone she can think of near them who has anything to do with bikes, and we've found a guy who comes recommended, so I'm going to get him to check it over before I head off round eastern Europe (parents are in Paris and I'm with them for a week, so will also do some checking of my own).

And the amusing bit: the 2nd Honda guy also cleaned the bike cos he thought it was in desperate need, I didn't have the heart to tell him that by the time I'd got to that night's campsite in the rain it would be back to square one!!

Oh and Carole Nash provided me with a hire car while it was being fixed so I could carry on with the guidebook stuff, first time I have ever got my money's worth out of insurance!!!

Thanks again to all!

Laura

Glad to hear that you are up and running again, with ignition off, the battery should read above 12v but below 13v.
Enjoy the ride :scooter: