[ProTeal55]

Hey,

As the topic states the first real ride I took the newely completed CB/CL450 on was a intresting one. Long story short about 20 min into the ride the bike cut off and didnt want to start back up. Seems as if the battery isnt charging, and while i was riding, I was doing it on battery power. Eventually the juice ran out and i was dead in the water..We tried to bump start the bike with no results. The headlite was barely own, so it is def. a battery/electrical issue.. After the bike sat for a hour or so their was enough juice to get it started (kickstart), but died again less than a block away (had to push it again)..

So - Where should I start to try and find/fix this issue ?
I heard that these CB450's have a goofy charging system, having something to do with the headlite switch or something ??? The bike only has 6000 miles on it, and is overall in good shape. We did move allot of the wiring to get rid of the sidecovers, so it is fully possibile we missed something..I hate electrical problems, but it needs to be fixed..

As usual, all help is appreciated...

Edited by - PROTEAL55 on May 01 2007 3:24:16 PM

 

[kenessex]

My guess is the rectifier is bad. That is the usual suspect. However, get out your volt meter and see what you have. With a fully charged battery(don't cheat on this part), start up the bike and check the voltage at the battery. As the rpms rise, the voltage should also rise to about 13.5 volts. If it doesn't then I would check for loose connections/broken wire connectors. Then I would test the rectifier. There is a simple reistance test for it but you will need the manual for it cause I don't remember the wire pairs that need to be tested. The bottom line is that there should be current flow in one direction and not in the other direction for any given wire pair.
If possible I would just test it by replacing it with another known good rectifier. If that isn't it then check the stator. Again a manual will give resistance values for the coils.

Good luck, a little diagnosis and testing goes a long way in electrical problems.

Ken

AHRMA 412
Vintage racing - old guys on old bikes

 

[ROSKO]

Do yourself a favor and get one of these units. Made a HUGE difference on my bike. http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/rectifiers.html

BORN TO LURK, FORCED TO WORK.
www.NYCvinMoto.com
www.VinMoto.org

 

[ProTeal55]

Thanks for the link Rosko, ordered one up tonight...

I did alittle clean-up work on the bike tonight, moved some grounds that were kinda "iffy", re-soldered some cables and what not, etc. I didnt have a multimeter with me so I was limited to what I could do. This Thursday I am getting some wiring guys together so see what we come up with..

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer
1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Hardtop

 

[xander450]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. You can make a rectifier for this thing with about $5 in parts from your local radio shack and ten minutes of soldering... don't know how to post pics but email me and I'll send along a schematic. Not much to it. I put one together for my K0 and it made all the difference.

A

 

[xander450]

Oh, one other thought. The way the 450 is wired you've got three hot wires coming from your alternator. Two are in the circuit at all times; the third comes on when you flip on your high beams. If your magnets have gone weak, you could make up the difference by wiring the high beam alternator wire into the system to get the extra juice.

A

 

[ProTeal55]

XANDER--->
This was exactly the issue I had. I had one wire that was nt hooked up int he headlite bucket, so while I was riding with the headlite on the bike wasnt charging enough to keep up. According to the multimeter after the wire was attached everything looks good. I am gonna take it out tomorrow for a ride around the city and see if it does on me again..

ProTeal55
Member: Ton-Up Club Chicago
1972 CB750 Hooligan/Street Fighter
1974 CB/CL450 Cafe/Bar/Stripclub Racer
1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Hardtop