started on fire

[johnnygonny]

I started my bike (05 Ridgeback 10,000 mile) to show my friend how it sounded with the new pipes ran it for only about 3 min shut it off and the thing in front of the engine mounted on the frame right at the bottom of the down tube with fins on it has some wires going to it started smoking and a little spot in it was glowing red like the friging bike was going up in flames a lot of smoke. I hosed it off quick!! what is that thing the bike started up after that so i put it away for the night. got up this morning it started I went to the gas station shut it of and now it just clicking at the starter... PLease help guys..

 

[Chris04Masitff]

sounds like the voltage regulator fried..

 

[IrishGuy]

i have an 05 ridgeback too.

i think the area you describe would be your voltage regulator. have you had any recall work done on your bike? One of the recalls is installing a fuse to the voltage regulator (i had this done on my bike last year, BDM covered it all)

 

[Raywood]

Thats your VR, check with your dealer. They were recalled and replaced if they had a certain serial number on them. The was also a requirement on the 05s to put a "resistor" in the switch behind the coil cover. See if your bike had that done. This was removed when a new EHC came out.

Anyway, if you don't want to deal with the dealer then you can simply replace your stock VR with a Compu Fire VR available at most custion shops.

 

[Mongo]

Does it look like this. Can be black also.

If so the it was your voltage regulator. That regulate the amount of juice to your battery and when you replace that it is a good idea to check your stator. Sometimes bad stators can kill voltage regulators. It is all a part of the charging system that is why your starter wouldn't start the bike no juice in the battery.

 

[johnnygonny]

will that cause the bike to not start or click like it is. And compu fire vr is there a size or just one size fits all custom shop???????

 

[johnnygonny]

yep thats it bro thanks can i jump start the bike to get it home cause it's still at the gas station????

 

[MARV]

its a recall.

have you bike towed to nearest BD shop on BD's dime.

 

[Mongo]

Yea you can jump it! I did when it happened to me.

 

[johnnygonny]

Thanks Mondo there's no way in hell im getting my baby towed f-that....

 

[MARV]

if your VR spiked it probably tripped the 40 amp breaker under the seat. that means the battery isnt getting any charge. and if the VR is spiking you dont want it to get to the battery cause you'll probably blow the ehc.

tow or trailer IMO

 

[johnnygonny]

ehc????? And thanks for the info bro

 

[Raywood]

if your VR spiked it probably tripped the 40 amp breaker under the seat. that means the battery isnt getting any charge. and if the VR is spiking you dont want it to get to the battery cause you'll probably blow the ehc.

tow or trailer IMO

Thanks Mondo there's no way in hell im getting my baby towed f-that....

What MARV said. Your VR is shot, any attempt to jump start it could fry the rest of your system costing you a new EHC. Replace it yourself or call your dealer and see if BD will fix it under the recall.

Don't jump it!!!

 

[johnnygonny]

I ment pop starting it will that also fry ehc.. Guessing yes just thought i would ask..

 

[twowheel99]

I don't have a VR but I do have a extra kit to protect your bike in case the VR takes a dump and tries to fry your wiring harness and your bike. If they won't take care of your problem under the recall, just let me know and I can hook you up.......
2

 

[Raywood]

I ment pop starting it will that also fry ehc.. Guessing yes just thought i would ask..

To add to the above. Another part of the recall was to replace the CB with a "Fuseable Link". The CB took too long to blow resulting in fried EHC's so they are replaced with the fuse that blows instantly. Have your dealer do it for free!

 

[johnnygonny]

thanks bro ill let u know

 

[lee]

as the boys said I wouldn't start your bike until you replace the VR. It regulates the amount of charge getting to the battery and converts AC into DC for your bikes electrical systems to use. Get the compufire as Ray said - thats what I'm running on my 05.

 

[pig pen]

Its a piece of cake to change. If you don't have access to a trailer I would make the repair in the parking lot.

 

[LDO]

Voltage Regulator swap? Easy, hell, I've even seen guys do it at the camp ground at a rally while drunk chicks in bikinis walked by!