Rectifier issue or something simpler?

mchech · Post by **mchech** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:29 pm

Hey, all. I've been reading a lot of posts quietly in the background. Really learning a lot. So, thank you. I've got a '66 Dream. Been riding hard for several weeks. About two weeks ago, I started up, turned the key to head/running lights position and blew a fuse. No worries (I think). This morning, after riding for about 10 minutes, I parked the bike. I decided to change parking spaces and as soon as I hit the electric IG, I blew another fuse. Got the battery on a trickle charger now. Acid levels seem good (maybe a little low). Just wondering where to start tracing this down. Rectifier? Loose wire somewhere?

Any help would be welcome. I kind of a noob when it comes to the tech side, so be gentle. Schematics are the equivalent of Latin to me. And I took Spanish. Really appreciate it. Thanks.

Also, if someone could tell me the type/year of my aftermarket mufflers, I'd be grateful. Thanks.

marc

joeweir1 · Post by **joeweir1** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:46 pm

Is the battery new?I would start by doing a complete visual check of your wiring for any rub points going thru the frame or in the HD light bucket or anywhere else you could think of.Check all of your connections as well.Kind of hard to find intermittent shorts like that.Also, I think your bike is a 64' and not a 66' looking at the right engine side cover where the clutch cable comes in unless someone changed it.That was changed to a shorter cable that came down strait into the cover instead of on an angle thru the side cover.VIN # would ID the year.

malecarbonunit · Post by **malecarbonunit** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:39 pm

The same thing was happening to me. Luckily I know a vintage Honda expert and he told me to check all my wiring. I did and there was a point in the wiring where the wire was exposed and touching the frame. So with that said check all your wires. Good luck!

mchech · Post by **mchech** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:34 am

Hey, Guys. Thanks for the suggestions. Very odd. I found a loose wire in the HD housing (just as you said, Joe) and sheathed it with electrical tape. Been running great for the last three weeks or so. Then, last night, ran it for about four hour. Pulled up to a stop and same thing happened. Luckily, I had two spare fuses. Replaced the first fuse. Hit the ignition - blew it. Put in the second fuse. Same thing.

It's stored securely, so I'm gonna get a handful more fuses, then head down with a flashlight, tool kit and electrical tape and see if I can chase this down. Man, it's frustrating.

Again, thanks so much for the help. I'm just hoping it's nothing more serious than an exposed wire grounding out.

mchech · Post by **mchech** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:11 pm

Think I found it. Exposed wire just below the petcock. Odd, but one inch of electrical tape later, seems it's good to go. Oh, by the way, if anybody needs a couple spare 15A fuses, lemme know. :)

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll double check the SN, too. You got me curious.