Electrical experts - Odd total loss of electrical power...

[Brendan W]

Would there be an ABS pump lurking in the background there...?

[Guest]

Yeah, good ole Kawasaki engineering. They certainly have some odd designs. Yes, the '89 Ninja and others used a generator/alternator just like a car really but smaller and it is driven off the engine. Once I get the belt replaced, I can check the health of the electrical system in full.

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[rphillips]

Why not simpler & less parts as opposed to more complicated & more parts. My old GS's never needed belts, radiators, fans, thermostats, fan relays, fuel pumps. Shoot, I still like plain & simple.

[Steve]

Yeah, but that alternator will produce just about full charge at or just above idle. If its regulator is working well (and most do), it will hold that voltage at any engine RPM and just about any load.

Try THAT with your simple GS.

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[rphillips]

My needs are simple also. I guess I never needed full charge at just above idle, nor to hold that charge at any rpm. All I've need was to keep my battery charged during normal operation. I've been really lucky, I've read all the charging system problems for the GS's, but out of 10+ GS's, over the years, the only problem I had was a loose rotor on my first GS1100E, easy fix. Maybe my GS's did need that newer, more modern stuff, & just never realized it.

[GregT]

Yeah, good ole Kawasaki engineering. They certainly have some odd designs. Yes, the '89 Ninja and others used a generator/alternator just like a car really but smaller and it is driven off the engine. Once I get the belt replaced, I can check the health of the electrical system in full.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]58617[/ATTACH]

That came in with the family of watercooled 16V fours starting with the GPZ900. Made taking the alternator off for racing much easier, LOL.