Wiring on 1980 gs550 et (uk)

[ukjules]

Ok - Ill inform how my test ride goes with the correct fuses in.
I so so hope this has fixed this issue. Logic would suggest it should.

 

[roeme]

Would a normal stock regulator not have this issue of needing a sense wire
attached to a switched wire ? (I understand that is the case)

does the regulator itself then sort out not overcharging causing the issues i have had ?

Yes, a stock regulator doesn't have a sense wire. And yes, in colloquial terms, the Regulator would sort it out by itself.

However, some clarification is required here:

a) The unit you put on is a combined rectifier and regulator. That's why most people refer to it as a "R/R", or "reg rect", or similar.
b) What has happened to you isn't really overcharging, but overvoltage.

In colloquial terms, overcharging means that one has tried to put too much energy into a battery. To put energy into the battery, you need to have a certain voltage (depends on the battery, within a specified range)
for a certain time connected to it.

Automotive batteries can take some abuse, so there's a chance your battery hasn't taken major damage from the voltage being too high, since apparently you directly rode home.

Still, as with the bulbs, it's life expectancy will be reduced, do don't be surprised if at some point you won't be able to crank anymore. When that happens, if you're in a pinch, you can kick- or bump start her for a ride, but you really ought to replace the battery at that point.

 

[ukjules]

All points noted.

Look out for normal fuse test results soon......


--------------
Notice you like these gs550's too - They are simply the coolest , best bikes one can own !! are they not.
I think it due to the size and proportion of the bikes - better than the larger ones ?

All these issues happened when i took my old bike on a tour of the south west of the uk, camping.
a truly magnificent trip and the bike made it and did over 500 miles in a week.
This bike is now being readied for another adventure.

The only issue then was that i had to bump it and the indicator stopped at high revs / speed but all else was just fine.
This (bumping) is unrelated and was starter motor related - now fixed with another from the usa of all places.
(I hardly dare say but the above happened simultaneously when i fitted a usb phone charger . .. .... but that is not on now )

When i returned i decided to look at the electrics (as i had ordered a fuse box off ebay) , something i had not done as fearful of it.
(I am not fearful of doing it on my gpz750r1 as that has been nut and bolt mechanically restored)
Rememebr the fuse box had been bodged to work by a roadside mechanic to get me going.
(i simply did not see what was done and when i took it to bits it fell apart !)

Anyway the wiring was awful and i lost my way as tried to put it back together not knowing i had a different reg/rect.
I had never heard of a sense wire.

 

[ukjules]

Bike now set with stock fuses and just finished a 6 mile test and all ok !

Also sorted the bad connection on the indicators. It was near the plastic connector box and had to redo
the connectors.

One question though as experts seem to be circling about ...
As you will see from the picture below one of the two wires going into the indicator relay seem
to be three wires connected together? (Not me)
Whoever did it soldered the connection and it is good but why ? It all works !!!!! but what is this all about do you think ?
I am leaving it and is now again wrapped in elec tape.

 

[roeme]

(...)
Notice you like these gs550's too - They are simply the coolest , best bikes one can own !! are they not.
I think it due to the size and proportion of the bikes - better than the larger ones ?

I totally agree I'm not yet a seasoned driver, having bought my very first bike, a 550, just last year - but it fits me really really well. Weight, power, size and handling feel just spot on. Some riders with many, many miles more under their belt agree, from what I read around here.

(...)When i returned i decided to look at the electrics (as i had ordered a fuse box off ebay) , something i had not done as fearful of it.
(I am not fearful of doing it on my gpz750r1 as that has been nut and bolt mechanically restored)
Rememebr the fuse box had been bodged to work by a roadside mechanic to get me going.
(i simply did not see what was done and when i took it to bits it fell apart !)

Anyway the wiring was awful and i lost my way as tried to put it back together not knowing i had a different reg/rect.
I had never heard of a sense wire.

Quite the story No need to fear the 550's electrics though, they're dead simple. It's just that sometimes one has to take a step back and think before digging in:
I had a similar experience to yours when I got rid of the "handlebar loop". I had to get out pen, paper, and a multimeter so as to not loose my way (Yeah, for such a simple mod...).
With some spare time, a cold one, and some searches around here, you'll learn about the shortcomings, and improvements on the GS's electricals in no time.

Bike now set with stock fuses and just finished a 6 mile test and all ok !

Also sorted the bad connection on the indicators. It was near the plastic connector box and had to redo
the connectors.

:encouragement:

One question though as experts seem to be circling about ...
As you will see from the picture below one of the two wires going into the indicator relay seem
to be three wires connected together? (Not me)
Whoever did it soldered the connection and it is good but why ? It all works !!!!! but what is this all about do you think ?
I am leaving it and is now again wrapped in elec tape.

View attachment 46252

I'd say thats one wire to the rear indicator, one to the front, and one to your dash.

 

[ukjules]

Thanks for info.
're 3 wires , are we saying that it is possibly correct all
bar the butchered method that it ended up ?
I'll leave it for now but put a better connector in
if I can find one.