Forum

[Exile]

I'm looking for some advice here.. I converted Thumper (2003, Bullet 500) to electronic ignition. That works just fine, he runs like the wind. I've heard that the electronic system draws a lot of voltage.

When I run the bike as it is, the battery maintains it's charge but I get the feeling that the entire electricl system is running at it's maximum capacity. With the engine running and with the headlight on, which is compulsory over here in Denmark, I measure only 12.3 volts at the battery. When I switch my GPS on, which also needs some power, the battery drains to flat after about 25 miles.


Would fitting the 120 watt high output alternator (page 97, H's catalogue) solve my problems?

Or should I just dump the Tomtom..??

[Adrian]

I assume that, as a 2003 bike, your Bullet has the 4 wire alternator with the AC headlight and DC everything else. If so, whatever extra gubbins you have installed on the DC side shouldn't affect your headlamp at all, as it's completely separate from the battery and charging system on the DC side. The high output alternator from our hosts ought to chuck out enough juice, obviously one with a stator that's compatible with your existing system will save you a re-wiring job, so get the 4 wire version Pt. No. 92020 if yours is the AC/DC system




A.

[Scalyback]

Very complicated is various legislation.


France also have the same law for headlamps, but over the past year or so, it seems that the trusted safety aspect of a bike with headlamps (The light, which drivers notice) has not only lost it's effectiveness, but can; on balance; be more of a problem at the current time.



More and more 4 wheelers have those LED 'bling' lights installed, which means that the novelty effect has gone. A few (look them up) recent studies have concluded that any vehicle that is showing a single headlamp, may appear further away that it actually is. Unfortunately, this leads to other vehicle users mistaking the distance and turning in front a vehicle when it is too close and unsafe to do so.


By forcing you to use headlamps which could endanger you, the law would be jeopardizing your safety and thus eroding your human rights. The european parliament have a rule to ensure that all lights on a vehicle can be turned off.



By having a lights on rule, the countries concerned are in conflict with Euro guidelines stating that light must be able to be switched off.



It is always wise to do your research first and never believe the first thing you read. I have had a good look, and it now seems that the recommended way for any two wheeled vehicle to be as visible as possible, (without causing an error in distance judgement to other road users), is to ride with fluorescent clothing or jacket or jerkin, with reflective stripes.



No, they don't let you look cool on a classic Enfield, but have you noticed a marked increase in bikers and cyclists wearing these jackets in the last two years? Up to summer last year, I ALWAYS rode with my headlamp on, even when I got tornado, but not anymore, even in France. I want to be seen and safe, and if I get stopped, I explain about my safety and that has done it so far. Still I might get a jobsworth one day.

TFL did commisined a report on clothing and it seems that reflective yellow is not the best for every suituation, but overall, it is the best compromise. They said...



"One study, from 2011, appeared to show that drivers saw moving motorbikes more quickly if there was a greater colour contrast between the background and the rider's clothes. Another, from last year, concluded that depending on the road and traffic the most visible rider apparel could be a high-vis jacket, a white jacket or even a black jacket.



The TRL's report says:



The results are interesting in that they show the previously held assertion that a bright reflective jacket will improve rider conspicuity may not always be true ...



[T]he message seems to be that the most conspicuous outfit will be dictated by the lighting conditions and local environment at the time, which may be extremely variable within the confines of even a fairly short ride.



In the conclusion they add:



Given that environments may differ over even fairly small changes in time or location, there is not likely to be a one-size-fits-all solution, meaning that motorcyclists need to be aware of the limitations of whichever interventions they use."



SO my answer is, EXILE, get one of them old bicycle generators that rubbed on the rim of the wheel, and run the GPS of that. OR, if you only use Thumper during daylight, get an LED headlanp, if they work on ac.

[scotty]

Hi I have a 180 watt sparx unit on a 93 bullet easy to install dont know if they do a 4 wire one kit comes with rotor stator and reg rec unit works very well they are an english mob so should be easy to contact never thought much of lucas gear lucas prince of darkness.

[Adrian]

Scotty,



a Sparx alternator would be an excellent upgrade for a pre-1999 Bullet, especially if the wiring loom is still good, though rewiring any Bullet, pre or post 1999, isn't too daunting an operation. AKAIK The only complete upgrade for the 4 wire AC/DC system is our hosts' Lucas special, though I suspect it will be fine on Exile's bike. However, could a Sparx rotor be used to boost the output of the original 4 wire stator? Has anybody tried this? If the magnets in the original rotor are losing their pull it will definitely reduce alternator output.

If I hadn't been able to get a Sparx alternator for the new project I would have perfectly content with a genuine Lucas RM21, they are still available, though pattern copies are most common.



A.

[Exile]

@ Adrian. Yes, 4 wires. Thanks for answering. I think it's worth a shot..

Look out H's.. order coming.. Rotor and stator.

[mauri]

you can go for the 2 wire alternator, and ditch the headlight circuit complete.



you just have to make a smal modification to the wiring in the headlight(or near the headlight regulator).

which consist of replugging 1 wire.



in which case no more flikkering headlight, headlight switchable without engine running.



in case you would do this, the 3 bushings behind the alternator need to be change to.

as a 2(3) wire stator has 18 plates and the 4 wire has 25 plates if i remember correctly.

[Adrian]

Whichever alternator you settle for, it might be worth treating the bike to a new combined regulator/rectifier unit as the bike is 12 years old, though our hosts only list the PowerBox with the capacitor built in. Generic units work fine if the capacitor isn't a requirement for you. A.

[Exile]

Adrian, yes the bike is 12 years old but he stood still for 8 years in a nice warm garage where he simply gathered dust. First registered on the road in 2005. Covered a little over 3500 km. I reckon the reg and rec must still be good... ??

[Adrian]

There's one way to find out... A.