I'm a 44 year veteran of MC riding; have owned about 20 different bikes, mainly standards and ST bikes. I live in northern Kentucky--great place to ride with loads of twisty roads. I've been a VFR owner since last October, when I bought a salvaged '98, which I got back on the road and running & looking OK. I purchased the bike in part because I have always been intrigued with VFR's, in part because I wanted to learn more about working on bikes--I thought a salvage job would be a cheap way to start learning. I loved the bike so much, in March I bought another one just like it, but this one was in near perfect shape. I read all about the problems this model has had with the charging system, so for both bikes I installed upgraded R/R's. Both bikes ran OK for 1K or more miles, but in both of them the connector between the stator and the R/R melted to a crisp. In one bike this happened a few months ago, in the other it just happened this week. In the first case, I reinstalled the upgraded R/R after it was checked and the connector replaced. I also replaced the stator with an upgraded unit. The bike runs fine and all charging voltages check out OK. However, the wires from the stator, the connector, and the wires to the R/R get very hot. I assume there is a problem elsewhere and that the connector will just melt again. I am not riding this bike. As for the other bike---I haven't started working on it yet. So...I now have two VFR's sitting in the garage. I know, this is not a typical introduction; my first post is an appeal for advice. Is it just a coincidence that I had the same problem develop in the two bikes following the installation of the upgraded R/R? What would cause the staor wires and the wires leading into the R/R to get so hot? I have posted on VFRD about this issue, and some members of the board suggest that there is a problem with a ground. Any suggestions? I really like these bikes, and I do hope to get them working properly, Thanks, Jon
Welcome aboard. Part of the R/R upgrade has been replacing the wires as well. Many folks have installed larger gauge wires in the areas you mentioned. This allows better electricity flow and reduces resistance, which in turn reduces heat. A search of R/R mods here should net you some specifics in this area. Good luck.
