Service life of RR & Battery?

My 99 anniversary model is still running its original regulator and battery. The bike is plated as 02/99 so that means the battery is over 8 years old. The bike has done 50,000km. Recently I took a trip down to the Australian MotoGP in Victoria, and was worried that one of these items would leave me stranded. My fears were unfounded though, but something has to give sometime. Anybody else out there with long lived electrical components??

 

The RR seems to be an issue with the 750's, not the bike you have, i went through 5 of them on my '97 750. My last VTEC was an '02 and five years old before i traded it in for my new steed, never had an issue with the RR, prob due to it's placement near the headstock, much more air getting to it to cool it down. A problem Honda always denied so why did they move it? :wink:

Your battery however, must be setting a new record, that is impressive. I normally get 2 to 3 years out of mine before it gives up the ghost. Trick to long battery life is to take it off in the winter and keep it at room temperature i've found, batteries HATE the cold.

 

I would test the battery and charging system. As for the r/r I just recently replaced mine at 6500 miles. All Hondas seem to have issues with the r/r at some point in time or another. Maybe not the more late model ones, but up until at least 2002 I would say they do. I have heard of a lot of people replacing their r/r on their 800.

 

I'd go ahead and replace the battery with a Yuasa anyway just as preventative maintenance. Hard to say on the r/r, just test the voltage on a weekly basis. Should be over 13.5. As a matter of fact, why not just hardwire a voltmeter to the dash? That's one thing I wish bikes came with.

It might also be a good idea to splice extra wires from the r/r harness directly to the positive battery terminal, and a couple to the stock ground point. Probably extend the life of the r/r you have.

 

I've just experienced what happens when an aged battery decides it ain't going to accept any more charge. The RR pumps harder till the main fuse pops. This is a showstopper; one minute you're cruising along nicely (had been for an hour), then the motor is dead ... as instant as hitting the kill-switch ! Roadside rescue territory; the replacement fuse blows instantly. Took some time for the guys in the garage to ID and confirm that the battery was the culprit ... cause it still had juice; could turn over the engine, all lights ablaze etc. Battery was original - four years old, over 43,000km on the odo. Seems acceptable life ... but the consequence of it dying like this, without warning (well, I didn't notice any signs), disturbed me.
The garage also checked the RR & pronounced it's working to spec. But, I experienced an RR failure, and a similar stranding, on my '97 VRF 750. Now I'm wondering if I should carry a 'spare' RR on tour with my 2003 model. (maybe even install an aftermarket RR, & keep the original as my 'spare' ?)Thoughts ? Or, am I just getting a wee bit paranoid from this wee bit of bad luck ?

 

It is now quite some years since your post, and thank you for sharing that.
My 2000 VFR 800 F1 died on me with the same issue a few days ago
I knew the battery was on its way out as it has gone flat on me after a few days standing a few times, likewise the this time. I put it on charge over night, but it did not take the charge, so I jumpstarted my bike and headed off, I only got about 500m before there was an electrical surge, the FI light came on and the engine instantly died, had to push it back home....
I bought a new battery, charged it over night and installed it the next day.
When turning the ignition on, I immediately noticed that the usual whining sound of the fuel pump was missing, and although the motor cranked over, no signs of starting...
Upon further inspection, as you also found, the 20A fuse for FI & fuel pump had blown, I replaced it this morning but it instantly blows again when I put the ignition on.
I then unplugged the fuel pump and tried again, it blew again, so it ain't the pump causing it to blow.
I am guessing the power surge has popped something else, but what?
It is difficult to see what exactly that fuse feeds to isolate the issue & I will need a huge supply of fuses before I do find the cause.
So if there are any out there who ever had this issue, or know what has more then likely popped / shorted out, I will be very pleased to receive your input!

Cheers
J

 

Welcome to VFRW kinseyj2000.

What indicated that your bike had an "electrical surge"?
Have you removed the rear cowl and looked over the wiring harness on the left side of the sub-frame?
You may have some wires and or connections that have gotten hot enough to melt the insulation coatings.