Battery not charging

[Marcusoptimus]

Hi all,
My first post on my first forum. I have a 1983 BMW R80 RT which has had quite a lot done to it over the years. The previous owner had put on a new speedo and tacho to replace the original clocks. The battery wasn’t charging and it took me a while to realise that I needed to fit a resistor into the system as the new charging led light doesn’t provide enough charge for the alternator to work. In a rush a month ago I mixed up the terminals on the battery and since then the battery won’t charge again, I have replaced most things in the charging system and the resistor but still no joy. Any advice or help would be much appreciated, I have little electrical skills and I have been quoted over £1k to get someone to fit a new wiring loom etc.

 

[Steptoe]

Put the original clocks back on .,
Who needs a digital speedo/rev counter on an old airhead, more trouble than it’s worth, as you’re now finding out .

 

[Marcusoptimus]

I had the same thought though I’m not sure how to wire and fit it.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Dear Optimist Marcus; advice asked for. Firstly welcome to the forum!

I think a visit to an Airhead electrical 'enthusiast' would be the best route - someone who can offer some time to help you diagnose what the issue is and help you fix it. Depends where you are in UK but I am happy to help. I'm quite familiar with your model and year. Another route is to buy 'Classic Boxer Charging' book by Rick Jones - Motorworks sell them https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35277032...Yq3eK2jf0fPG0Hzuw0L1vUxd8=|tkp:Bk9SR_qurIK9Zg

This is a self-help book and relies on you having a functioning generator lamp in your instruments. That you have not one may complicate things.

< Space for a few more suggestions >

Last suggestion is hand it to someone who will charge you £1000 to fit a new loom when likely it is your diode board/voltage regulator/rotor/stator at fault (not the loom).

Hope this helps

 

[Marcusoptimus]

Dear Optimist Marcus; advice asked for. Firstly welcome to the forum!

I think a visit to an Airhead electrical 'enthusiast' would be the best route - someone who can offer some time to help you diagnose what the issue is and help you fix it. Depends where you are in UK but I am happy to help. I'm quite familiar with your model and year. Another route is to buy 'Classic Boxer Charging' book by Rick Jones - Motorworks sell them https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352770320859?_skw=boxer+charging+systems&itmmeta=01K7M2B2XHK6NWR9AJX98DNQ87&hash=item5222bfe9db:g:Yz4AAOSwZP9dY8Su&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eOoN6axLct2iYxcdVkb4zAgFtQJ3O3W3N9MCbALUlTH1zmxkzo0PNixYdn2z+aGxjaDLZ4e9NchZRRA/OK1elCUJeFNJ0A3AjNRXJ5Hi1OIOW6w2s7P86dL6f8bAY03rQbz6ANDp+ixoplM6NTPDyvObokuQOF4frFKwU15SuYL15n84k4yQJzMd/6dl8CrdWJhVXu8XbWe2XimI71Ca0+981gBB9HD9Iw19T38yYq3eK2jf0fPG0Hzuw0L1vUxd8=|tkp:Bk9SR_qurIK9Zg

This is a self-help book and relies on you having a functioning generator lamp in your instruments. That you have not one may complicate things.

< Space for a few more suggestions >

Last suggestion is hand it to someone who will charge you £1000 to fit a new loom when likely it is your diode board/voltage regulator/rotor/stator at fault (not the loom).

Hope this helps

Thank you for getting back to me, any help much appreciated I am based in Brighton if that might work for you. I will get the book anyway as it might be of some help and sounds good to have. I know that the charging system all works as it should, I installed a new Enduralast kit which replaced all the parts and seems to be functioning. I think it’s either a wiring issue or the speedometer but have reached the limits of my ability to fix.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Brighton to Salisbury is a bit of a hack but if you're up to it, fine.

APB Airhead enthusiasts near Brighton......

Also, is it a standard loom or a custom one? Everyone likes a picture ....

 

[Gelandestrasse]

How's it going?