Safety Relays - Safe to Remove ?

[suntosh]

My mechanic is recommending that I remove the safety relays says they hinder more than provide safety. Thoughts ?

 

[jpdevol]

I forget what yr. model you have. The only "safety" switches/relays that have proven unreliable are the side stand and clutch. The starter safety relay rarely fails. The reserve light unit doesn't usually fail.

If you're leaving the bike style as original, there isn't much to be gained by removing more than the first 2 above.

 

[suntosh]

Its the XS650H special II. My mechanic who looked at the electrical failure said that the lockout relay has failed. He also thinks the battery regulator/rectifier is not working as desired.

He says currently the lockout relay is not allowing the bike to start.

 

[jpdevol]

The rec/reg is pretty easily checked, the starter safety relay easily bypassed to verify (assuming that's what lockout means). Have you had problem with battery not charging?

 

[suntosh]

The battery was found to be leaking. Thats what he is suggesting - safety starter be bypassed( even removed) and rec/reg be replaced. Valid ?

 

[jpdevol]

It could be. The battery physically leaking isn't electrical, but a bad regulator could have caused it to lose fluid via overcharging.

 

[suntosh]

Can the starter safety be permanently removed/bypassed ?

Also when I look at the prices the rec/reg is available for 20 -30$ and 100$ from Mikesxs. would the ebay 20 -30 $ be good enuf ?

 

[jpdevol]

It can. It's function is only to prevent starter engagement on a running motor - I run 2 bikes that way with no issues. On your bike though, the headlight relay is also in that circuit and might be part of the problem. Do have him get rid of side stand sw. & relay

 

[Jim]

He says currently the lockout relay is not allowing the bike to start.

The starter cutout relay is normally closed (NC) and energized open by the alternator. Can't recall the last time I saw one fail open. 99.9% of the time when they fail, they won't energize. That would not stop the starter from operating. And that has nothing to do with the kick starter... which would start the bike just fine.

How trustworthy is your mechanic?

EDIT: just reread that it's a H model. Yes, the sidestand lockout will kill the ignition if it fails.
EDIT AGAIN: the H doesn't have the sidestand relay. I believe that was added a year later... '82 J model.

 

[jpdevol]

Also when I look at the prices the rec/reg is available for 20 -30$ and 100$ from Mikesxs. would the ebay 20 -30 $ be good enuf ?

Opinions vary, I use these: https://ricksmotorsportelectrics.com

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[suntosh]

Not very trustworthy and that's why I love this forum so that I can crosscheck and let him know the suggestion straight from the gurus. The voltage leak caused the battery to go low and that's how even the kick started wont start the bike.

 

[jpdevol]

Some of the story doesn't completely add-up, but if the regulator failed in such a manner to not power the rotor, it would cause the starter relay to not open. Relay may be ok

 

[suntosh]

Some of the story doesn't completely add-up, but if the regulator failed in such a manner to not power the rotor, it would cause the starter relay not to not open. Relay may be ok

He says the Relay is okay and its the starter relay that is conked but is suggestive of removing both after replacing the rec/reg. Nothing like pics..

 

[suntosh]

It can. It's function is only to prevent starter engagement on a running motor - I run 2 bikes that way with no issues. On your bike though, the headlight relay is also in that circuit and might be part of the problem. Do have him get rid of side stand sw. & relay

What is the side "side stand sw" ?

 

[jpdevol]

The side stand switch and its associated relay

 

[jetmechmarty]

I believe that was added a year later... '82 J model.

'82 is correct. '81 got the clutch switch. I don't see that as a problem either. The sidestand switch was a POS.

 

[gggGary]

Cheap regulators will quickly have you pushing again. The stories of failed chinese REG/recs are legion, the standard failure mode for them is going full charge full time. The battery quickly bleeds out and dies.
You need an electrical technician that can trouble shoot, not a scattergun parts replacer, or worse a nippers and wirenut wonder.