Regulator rectifier swap to auto parts?

joebgd

joebgd

XS650 Junkie
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I'm surprised we don't have this in the tech section. I believe some guys are using a vr..something regulator and making rectifiers. Can some one point me to a link that might have the parts list and how to on that?
I did a quick search but no luck. I'll search again w different buzz words.
Oh, also while I'm at it. Where is the reg rec unit located on a 1980 tci? I don't see it right off. An to move air box on left and see if I can locate it.
 
Yes , that's just what I was looking for Jim. Thanks
I really need to re test everything. Honestly, I think I just have a sub par lead acid battery, I haven't been able to use the electric start all summer.
oh now idk, if the one Jim did a write up on doesn't need re wiring of brushes I'd do that one.
 
I don't see anything written about re.working brushes on the Fiat reg swap. Just want to be sure on this.
 
joebgd said:
I don't see anything written about re.working brushes on the Fiat reg swap. Just want to be sure on this.
Click to expand...
Your bike (80) uses the 'A' type regulator. It does not need any changes to the brushes... it's plug and play. You only need to rework the brushes if you're putting the A type reg/rec on a 79 or earlier bike.
 
Okay, I was thinking that. I did remember the later bikes and earlier had different grounding on the brushes. Okay awesome I'm good to go. I'm going to do this swap as one of my next projects.
 
joebgd said:
Okay, I was thinking that. I did remember the later bikes and earlier had different grounding on the brushes. Okay awesome I'm good to go. I'm going to do this swap as one of my next projects.
Click to expand...
Cool. Put a comment in that thread when you do.
 
I might be doing this sooner than later. It's the first time I checked the charging and didn't get satisfactory voltage.
My brushes are, one just b4 the wear limit and one just after. There to short. Would that cause me not to charge?
I have to really rev it to get over 13v. How much does brush length influence that. I am definitely going to change my brushes but I don't see how theoretically short brushes reduce output.
Edit= The brushes are the same for all year, correct?
Edit=Now it's right above 14v testing all good. Idk if it's cause I charged the suspect battery or brushes were dirty. I'll check it again after a ride when it's good and warm. My guess is there was oil on brushes and area cause I had a nasty tappet cover oil leak 2 actually, which has now been remedied.
 
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No. Not all the years had the same brushes. 80- did have matching pairs. Earlier ones had non matching sets. I would order 2 sets. One to install now and keep the second for spare. Every once in a while reverse positions of the brushes to even the wear. The outer one wears a bit faster because it covers more distance than the inner one.
 
As the brushes wear shorter, their springs don't push them into contact with the rotor as well as before and eventually you start losing the contact or connection. I prefer original brushes, I think they're made better than the knock-offs. If you watch eBay, you can usually find them for about the same cost as the knock-offs, so there's no reason not to use them. You'll want two of these, 256-81611-11 .....

9AnTrTU.jpg
 
+1 with 5twins comment. I had new XS650direct (Canadian Mikes) and was seeing voltage fluctuations up and down. Changed to OEM and very little to no fluctuation.
 
Ordered two nos brushes from two separate vendors on eBay.
I found the problem to be the battery. When I check output with the battery disconnected it's fine, 14.5v. I'm in the market for a battery now. Either a good lead acid like yusa which it had and seemed to last. Or a lithium ion, I'm gonna do a search and see if I can run a lithium as a direct swap. I see on a search it's good to keep lion s charged which I don't see as a problem. The lion technology changed the landscape of battery tools, what a huge improvement over nicad. The tool batteries are used to low power regularly. I see some mc lithium batteries for just over 100$ on amazon. I'm leaning toward a yusa right now tho. I have had good experience with one.
The battery in there now is a generic lead acid I got from pep boys a few years ago. I hadn't been able to use the electric start since I put that battery in.
And if I let it idle pretty much at all it dies.
I'm looking forward to get her back it tip top order between the battery and the carbs.
 
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One of the brushes I ordered came. It was labeled nos and described as new. It is smaller than the one on my bike which is right at the limit. Ugh frustrating. I wrote the seller who had good reviews.
Can the early brushes be modified to work on a later alternator? It looks like they are similar just the earlier ones have extra bracket. Can the two extra bends be cut off and use the brush? They are more available it seems nos.
 
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Yes, I suppose you could just cut the early inner brush bracket down and turn it into a late style. By the way, the early outer brush is the same as both later brushes.

9nokSV2.jpg
 
Okay ordered two nos from different sellers. One seemed fine the other is ab as long as what I want to change. I changed the outer to the nos. Can one brush being that much longer be a problem? I have 3 now that are almost at the change line. I'll just keep an eye on them and change as needed until I can get another nos.
The seller who sold a used brush as nos did give me a full refund.
 
I had the same thing happen, and like you, I got a refund. I'm not sure what effect running one really short brush might have. Guess you'll just have to try it and see, lol. Eventually it will stop working.
 

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