Pushin' ma' Bandit

**iscariot** · 16th January 2006, 18:23

Hi all...first time caller...

Of late, I'm finding that my GSF600 Bandit increasing needs to be crash started insofar as the damn thing doesn't appear to have enough juice to turn over or something...

This is the second or third time this happened, last time being about 6 months ago when I had the battery replaced (cos it was deader than a non-breathing thing)...so I'm thinking that it can't be the battery. (At this stage, I'd like to admit, that even after 14 years riding I still have no mechanical ability whatsoever).

I was talking to a Kawaski guy this morning and he tells me that Suzuki has a reputation for having their alternators keel over on a fairly regular basis - if this is so, then great, problem solved, and I can even source a replacement used alternator...

Thing is, is there anyway to be com,pletely sure the Alternator is the problem before outlaying cash etc...

suggestions/ commetns etc all welcomed...cheers.

**merv** · 16th January 2006, 18:30

On bikes of any brand a weakness usually is the regulator/rectifier more so than the alternator. Look up (on the net) what readings you should get on the various circuits and you can test the thing with a multi-meter.

**skelstar** · 16th January 2006, 19:44

Welcome dude. Get your bike sorted (cant help sorry) and come out some rides with the welly crew.

**babyB** · 17th January 2006, 10:55

Originally Posted by iscariot

Hi all...first time caller...

Of late, I'm finding that my GSF600 Bandit increasing needs to be crash started insofar as the damn thing doesn't appear to have enough juice to turn over or something...
I was talking to a Kawaski guy this morning and he tells me that Suzuki has a reputation for having their alternators keel over on a fairly regular basis - if this is so, then great, problem solved, and I can even source a replacement used alternator...
Thing is, is there anyway to be com,pletely sure the Alternator is the problem before outlaying cash etc...
suggestions/ commetns etc all welcomed...cheers.

im no machanic but i havent found my bandit to have alternator probs.
...im taking a stab that the startmotor turns but engin is not. id be looking at the starter cluch & reduction gear assembaly

(the bandit is know for a fulty steering head berring wear, sonething to do with the greese they used, if you dont know if its been done be be very awear).

**F5 Dave** · 17th January 2006, 15:06

Older suzuki’s used to do this all the time but were worse when;
You ran the oil low (windings got hot)
Used bigger bulb
Battery toasted
Didn’t run light all the time (1 winding was to light)

I thought the later suzis pretty much cleared this all up, but:

Charge the battery (borrow charger or go to supercheap).

Buy a multimeter (Almost free at Dick smith).

Set to volts & hold over battery. Should have held charge at say 13.7V even after several hours. Start bike. Lights on & rev. Voltage should not go beyond 15 or below 13. If over regulator is stuffed, if under alternator is poked and or regulator + battery. Cheap batteries can be suspect & this may be your only problem, but a duff regulator can kill the battery, alternator & the ignition (+ bulbs) if it is over volting.

If alternator is stuffed then they can be rewound. There are a few guys around but I use J Halsey 09-534 4161 as he is consistantly good vaue with nil stuffups I've heard of, just a courier away.

**iscariot** · 17th January 2006, 18:34

thanks for the ideas/ advice folks...

As much as I love my bike the extent of my knowledge about the mechanical stuff extends to "it's got two wheels and a motor"...although I am handy with a set of allen keys...

As i have to take the poor wee beastie in for a new set of feet I'll get the mechanic creatures to wave their wands at it...

**Jackrat** · 17th January 2006, 20:09

Probably is the alternator.
Take it to a shop,they'll tell you in about 2 minites.
I had a Suzuki one rewound,cost $380.

**Bonez** · 17th January 2006, 20:28

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Didn’t run light all the time

Nah, thats a myth - http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_statorfacts.htm
Another issue is dirty contacts/connections.

**terbang** · 18th January 2006, 09:29

Dunno about the 600 but the 1200 has an alternator similar to a car which is regulated by taking control of the field wheras the old girls (the troublesome ones) used fixed magnets and a stator that was controlled by essentially shorting excess off to earth (in a round about way) which generated heat hence the probs. A voltmeter will really tell you whats happening there and also a simple way to check it is start the engine, turn on the light, face it to a wall and rev the engine and you should see the light brighteneing as RPM rises. Doesn't tell the whole story but it will show up a completely dead alternator.

**notme** · 19th January 2006, 20:13

Hope these 2 links help you mate:

1. MOTORCYCLE CHARGING SYSTEMS FAULT FINDING CHART:
http://www.offwidth.co.uk/bike/gener...lt_finding.pdf

2. DICK SMITH DIGITAL MULTIMETER UT20B - $11.94 inc GST
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...uct/View/Q1469