not enough power indicators on Z900A4

[gaz]

Got a problem with my Z9. Starts up fine, runs ok, but when you put your lights on low beam the indicators left and right stay on but don't flash. Turns the lights off and the indicators flash. Have been told that the regulator rectifier is not putting out enough power to cope with the modern indicators and lights. Have checked all connections earth and live. Tried every bloody combination possible, still no joy. Does anybody know of a more up-to-date regulator rectifier that might solve the problem?

[steve f]

if its a yank bike they are cruise lights the front indicators always come on with the headlight

[gaz]

Thanks for your reply, but its not a Yank spec bike. The indicators will flash on and off with only the side lights. If you put main beam on, the indicators stay on and don't flash. Have changed the flasher unit, checked all the connectors there seems to be a lack of voltage

[Steve S]

Hows your battery? and what voltage is the regulator putting out when running?

[Pigford]

Take the winkers off, they ruin the lines of any bike

[gaz]

Thanks for both replying. The battery is brand new. Measured the voltage at the battery, its 13 - 13.5. Same problem still occurs. I think the voltage should be more, that's why I suspect the regulator rectifier. I've had a look at Classic Motorcycle Mechanics and they replaced the rectifier, which help the charging system.

[Pigford]

Gaz, you say "modern indicators & lights"
Are they LED by any chance
Have you checked all winker bulb wattage/voltages

[knut]

nice try pigford,but he says they work with the main lights off so that means the bulbs are ok,presume there are bulbs and not leds, sounds like a bad earth connection to me

[gaz]

Thanks for the replies. They're not LED indicators, but not standard either. Have checked all earth and live wires twice, seem ok. As far as the voltage goes at the indicators all ok. The only other thing that's bugging me is that the main head light and bulb are not standard. It was replaced with a cibie. The origianl headlight bulb was a 50/35 watt, the one I have in it now 65/55. I think the higher wattage bulb is draining power from everywhere else. That's why I thought a more modern regulator rectifier would solve the problem. Let us know what you think.

[Rich]

If you have the original type flasher unit this is a bimetalic strip that when it heats makes and breaks the connection. test voltage to indicators, earths etc Replace the flasher unit with one which works on a timer chip and is not voltage or wattage dependant (one for led indicators will probably do, you will have to put an extra earth to it)

[chrisNI]

Try calling Electrexworld 01491 682369 in Oxn (RG9 5QW) and ask them. They do reg/recs, but they also make some replacement generators. They do one for a Z9 - I don't know if it would fit the earlier bikes or not but you said yours is a Z9. The problem with the old electrics is they don't generate a lot of juice, so that's why the lights are crap and as you say a brighter one can make the whole lot struggle. The Electrexworld ones produce more power. The guy I spoke to is Peter Houghton, I've been trying to get him to do an article on the replacement electricals available for the Zed series for the club magazine - he's promised to do it but he's a bit busy. He'd be able to advise you though. I've never had any Zed stuff off them but got a replacement stator for the TDR off them.

http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/

[Pigford]

Chris, my neighbour got replacement lighting & ignition coils for his DT175MX, and they were very helpful.
He was trouble shooting & they even sent him a bit to try & return if it was not the culprit

[gaz]

Thanks for the advise. I will ring Electrexworld tomorrow and try and speak to Peter Houghton. Will let you all know the outcome. Thanks!!

[Fred]

Had a similar problem with a Z1B,i replaced the original flasher unit with a modern car unit.The Z1 has two pins and the car one three and its just a case of running an earth to the new unit and fit the original wires to the unit.No problem with flash rate what evers on or revs

[Gary]

I had a similar problem with my Z900 when i finished rebuilding it, it turned out to be one of the earth wires inside the white connector blocks which is located in the headlamp.

Gary