Dead Short blowing 30 amp fuse off battery

[zippyskippyCBX]

Nils,

Thanks so much for the offer, that is just awesome. See me previous post, I have decided to just bite the bullet and ordered the conversion kit.

Scott

[NobleHops]

All right Guys,

Message received !!! I called around: Tim's had the missing washers (used), the rectifier (new), the missing o-ring (new); Louis had couplers A and B (new) $250 for those gems NLA from Honda (ouch), brushes from Honda (new), etc. EMS, you are a man after my own heart. When you add it all up with freight, I would be in $450 for parts and end up with a funtioning original equipment charging system, along with all of it's faults. For a couple more C-notes, I will have the Kawasaki conversion unit (it will be here Wednesday) and the end of these and potential future issues. As this bike is far from stock and I am not a purist, it was a no-brainer really. Don't you just love fixed PO's mistakes ???? I am getting a little worn out from them actually, and my checkbook has now gone from smoking to a full blaze !!!

Therefore, I do have a functioning alternator with brushe
s at 50% or more, a good rotor and stator, and a beautiful chrome cover available if anyone is in need. I really hate having any parts laying around that know I will not use. It's that clutter thing, lol.

Thanks again for all of your insight and suggestions. I really appreciate it. By the way, I did join the ICOA yesterday. Any ideas on how long it takes to start getting the magazine ???

Scott

Scott, thanks for supporting the club, very glad to have you. Diane McMunn is membership director and it normally takes a couple of weeks for her to get your stuff out to you. I have just added you to the ICOA Members group here on the site and you now have instant online access to the current (and 24 past) issues. Go to this page in the now-visible-to-you members area to access it:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6536

Sincerely, welcome to the club.

N.

[EMS]

Sincerely, welcome to the club.

N.

I would like to second that And as we are currently all expecting the next issue to come out soon, you will be on the list of getting this one fresh off the press through the regular mailing process. If not, I will make sure you will receive your copy!

[daves79x]

Scott:
Sounds like you made the correct decision. It should eliminate your problems. I'll PM you on the membership stuff.

Nils: I guess I was assuming since the alternator was missing the shim washers, the plates would be junk, but that may indee not be the case if there was enough material to lap out the grooves. If they were badly blued from heat and much metal had pulled from the plates, they should be replaced. I have successfully used some pretty badly grooved plates that had a lot of metal left.

Dave

[zippyskippyCBX]

Thanks guys for all of your input. New alternator conversion kit is on and Lola lives. Very easy install, although I did wire it in using the original Red connector at the battery rack. Discovered a loose crimp at the 2/5 coil wire connector, causing those cylinders to not fire. I replaced all the connectors, again, at all the coils, just to make sure and shrink wrapped each one. She is running great, no more noise from the old alternator clutch either. Now I think my final project for when winter snows blow will be adjusting all the valves. God only knows what I will find there. I think I will order Mike Nixon's book on that procedure before I get started, anyone have one and do you recommend it ? I just have a suspicion, there are some that are out of adjustment by the sounds I can now hear with the alternator replaced. Hmmmmm. When does it end ???

Scott

[daves79x]

Scott:
Sounds like you are getting close. You'll really like the alternator set-up. If you hear noise in the valve train, it's likely not loose valves. I've seen them set at .006-.007 inch (over max recommended) and there was no noise reduction after they were set to .003-.005. You really want to make sure none are too tight (under .003). The other big thing you want to set correctly are the camchains. That makes a big difference relating to noise. The Oldham couplers wear as well and cause a bit of 'rocking' of the cam halves, causing something of a sewing machine-type valve train noise. Oversize couplers are available and they do quiet the engine down a lot, but they wear as well and after a while the noise returns. Keep us posted.

Dave

[EMS]

Usually valves are getting tighter with time, not loose. The valve head sets into the seat and the stem "moves" upward against the camshaft. The service manual is pretty good as far as the procedure is concerned. I wouldn't thinkt hat any additional instruction pamphlet is necessary. Just make sure you get the right tools and a few shims. You will most likely need thinner ones, closer to the .250 mark. You can cover most of the needs by swapping shims around, but eventually you need to install 3-4 new ones.

[Don]

She is running great, no more noise from the old alternator clutch either. Now I think my final project for when winter snows blow will be adjusting all the valves. I just have a suspicion, there are some that are out of adjustment by the sounds I can now hear with the alternator replaced. Hmmmmm. When does it end ???

The valvetrain is probably the quietest part of the engine . . . . you can't tell much about the valvelash from listening to it running because as Mike said, the valvelash usually tightens up when it needs readjusting

On an early model (especially a '79) the loudest 'culprit' on the whole engine is usually the clutch basket - With just 8 or 10 thousand miles on the engine, my clutch made more noise than the reat of the engine combined, especially idleing at a stoplight or sitting in neutral. The solution is a ProLink clutch basket from an '81 or '82 and it you're on a noise abatement program, THAT is where it will end ;)

Don

[EMS]

...or I can get you a T-shirt that says: Loud Clutches Save Lifes

[zxbob]

...or I can get you a T-shirt that says: Loud Clutches Save Lifes

You should be able to pick up one of those at your local Ducati dealer !

Bob

[zippyskippyCBX]

LMAO, Thanks Mike and Bob for giving me some comfort