A big thank you (Bigbird)

 Just to thank you, Bigbird for you diagnosis, regarding my charging problems. I received the stator for the USA last week and got the day off to fit it today. Got the stator in OK, just had a hold up with the exhaust, it kept blowing. At first I couldn't separate the two parts, so I was difficult getting it lined up. On the second go I managed to split it and all is now well.
The battery is now being charged at 14.17 volts. I have added a photo of the old stator.
Thanks once again for yours and everyone else's help.

You're most welcome. I'm glad I could be of help.
The picture of your stator is typical, with the burned insulation on the windings.
Enjoy many more miles of trouble free riding now that your major aggravation has been dealt with. And congrats on doing it yourself. The feeling of self-accomplishment might just outweigh the joy of having your money still in your pocket, rather than in the pocket of a shop or dealership owner.

Yes if I can finished anything by the end without having to resort to the internet, then it's been a good day and as you said, saved money in the meantime, also the trouble of dropping it of and collecting.
Thanks again

Yes, that's toasted...

Well done on replacing it  

Thank you also for your help RArch. I am glad it's sorted.

I've got loads of questions but these will do for now

How did you get on with removing the exhaust, were the header bolts as stuck as expected?

What was the most difficult part of the replacement?

Did work with the bike on its side stand?

Hi RArch,
The actual part of changing the stator wasn't too bad, the worst bit was the exhaust pipe. The header bolts weren't a problem although I did spray them a couple of times with WD40 in the weeks before. The trouble was getting the pipe to separate from the silencer, so to start with I took the whole exhaust off in one go. I also put it back on like that, only when I started the bike the manifold was blowing badly. After lunch went back to it and took the exhaust off again, but this time managed to split the two pipes.
As the down pipe was a lot lighter it went on with no problems. I had already bought the new clamp and gasket so was then able to fit them.
After that she was back to her normal running self.
I did the whole job with the bike on it's centre stand.
Had I split the two pipes to begin with it would have taken about three hours ended up at about five.
I did take my time though with the exhaust and gave it a quick paint.
Just a bit worried Yesterday and this evening, Yesterday went for about a three mile trip when I came to a junction I could smell burning, I looked down and could see where the new paint was smoking a bit, OK fine I thought. This evening I took it for another three mile run and when I got home I could smell a burning smell again but no smoke. I was worried that it was the same smell I had when the stator failed.
I left the bike running for a bit and couldn't smell it any more, I took out the oil dipstick and tried to smell in that hole as that is where the stator is but no burning smell. Checked the charging voltage again and it was 14.27V.
I am hoping that the smell is just spilt oil burning off or the heat resistant paint drying.
I hope this is of some help to you please ask, if you have anymore questions. I am sorry to have waffled on too much.
Regards, Jeff

I think between the paint you applied, the muffler packing material, the RTV gasket material, and any spilled oil on the exhaust, that would account for the burning smell. I can't imagine a brand new stator shorting unless it was dropped and varnish scraped off the copper wires.

Thank you Bigbird, That what I was hoping. I have to take it for a longer ride tomorrow, I will see how we get on then.

Thanks for the info Jeff. Hopefully, I wont need to use it In all fairness 3-5 hours was good going IMO.

I've had the Silencer off a couple of times now to replace the tyre, it is a wiggle and pull as straight as possible type of job.

havelet2013 wrote:

Thank you Bigbird, That what I was hoping. I have to take it for a longer ride tomorrow, I will see how we get on then.

 

Jeff,

Terry (bigbird) is probably my best "padawan" (think Star Wars) when it comes to explaining all things Silverwing.  He often refers to me as "Yoda".   

Yoda=You Old Dumb A**

Just out of interest RArch, when you remove the silencer, do you always have to replace that soft gasket thing between the pipe and silencer?

Hi there boys and girls

When I changed my rear tyre (tire) the silencer was a b**ch to remove from the down pipe as the sintered round gasket had decided to weld itself to both parts. Got one off flea bay (about six pounds). BTW the two bolts that secure the clamp were completely corroded and needed replacing; I took the opportunity to replace them with stainless items. IMO the gasket must be considered a consumable item and as it is cheap I would order one to have in 'stock' for my next tyre change or other reason.

Happy Days

Mark

That's exactly, what I will do in the future, always keep one in stock. As I mentioned the silencer separation was a pig like yours so thought I could get away with removing the whole lot in one go. The clamp was also very corroded. Lucky I did buy the clamp and gasket thing a few weeks ago.

To those out there that like to mcguyver things.For the last 40 years of M cycling I have been making my own gasket ,using a 2" roll of fibre glass tape and rape the pipe to a snug fit hold it in place with a piece of aluminum tape,slid the muffler in place .I go for a 1/2 hour ride to burn off the glue on the tape and I get a perfect seal.A small roll of tap is good for a life time of use.My honda dealer never has them in stock and take a week to order anything.

havelet2013 wrote:

Just out of interest RArch, when you remove the silencer, do you always have to replace that soft gasket thing between the pipe and silencer?

Nope, I never have. I was wondering if I should keep a spare gasket/material but I've never needed to so far.

tinman wrote:

rape the pipe to a snug fit

Sounds pretty lonely out there in N. Ontario.

I have over 50k kl on my swing 95% HW riding My front wheel bearings are like new my disc brakes have no sigh's of wear. To spend $40.in fuel and wast a day to get a $ 15. gasket  that needs replacing 2 to 3 times a year . the math is to high.