New boy from Swindon

[Scott22]

Hey there

My name is Scott. I passed my test back in October and my first bike is a ZXR400 L5. Was looking foward to riding it but i still havent had the pleasure yet due to silly problems that keep arising and the fact i have the worst luck with garages and mechanics in world history lol.

The garage have said my alternator is burnt out? there was damage to the casing and it wasnt getting a charge. Ive bought a replacement coil and springs as i was told by someone who works on Kawasakis alot that would probably be the problem, but could it be anything else? I do not fancy spending the 330 something quid for a new complete alternator from George Whites.

I know absolutely nothing about bike mechanics and what to change this. Does anyone have any tips on learning bike mechanics? I was thinking bout getting the Haynes basic bike maintenance would this help?

Cheers

[jackdim]

I guess you mean generator? It's a bit difficult to diagnose as your description of the bike's problem is a bit vague.

Want to P/X your non running bike for my running zxr400? It could save you a lot of £££ in the long run, I'm in Bristol so not far from you. Here's the advert:

buysell/single_ad.php?ad_id=12

[masterofinsanity]

hi, welcome to zxrworld.... you could download the manuals off the main site www.zxrworld.co.uk and make yourself familiar with YOUR bike and not just any bike plenty of helpful peoples on here to give you guidance too.

[Scott22]

Cheers for the replies. Im happy to keep my bike for the time, the main problem is the garage messing me about, im not giving up on my first big bike just yet, but thanks for the PX offer.

I will look into the manuals on the ZXR world site. I just dont want to try something and balls up my bike. Been in the garage already long enough lol. But i will try some stuff other wise i wont ever learn.

[RedexRobB]

welcome to the forum matey, hope you get it sorted soon.

You can check the charging circuit with a multimeter, if you get the bike running and stick the meter across the battery terminals to measure the voltage, it should read about 14.5 volts iirc, with the engine revving at 4K rpm. If its lower than that its more likely your rectifier unit, as they are more likely to go than the alternator. There are tests for the rectifier in the manual im sure, as well as for the generator.

[Scott22]

Hi there

Thanks for the replies and advice. I took it to yet another garage and turns out all it was, was a couple of burnt wires that set me back £20. So i may have a spare rectifier and coils going soon. Annoying that i got messed about for so long over something that simple but hey ho these things happen i guess. Just gutted cos now i finally have my bike back ready to ride and the snow has come Oh well roll on sunny weather.

[Vard66]

Ayoop.

Bit of an infrequent and irregular browser here.

Whereabouts in Swindon are you, Scott?

There's one or two of us out this way - I'm out towards Calne, along the A4.