I need technical advice on my R65 please...

Hi, I have recently bought a nice R65. I need some advice regarding an electrical problem which is bugging me. I'm not very experienced with bikes so I will just give the simptoms I experienced. I replaced the battery and enjoyed trouble free riding for two weeks, but ocasionally noticed a spark from the distributor to the frame when the bike was idleing cold. However the new battery is discharging and is not able to start the bike the next morning. I have determined that the alternator is not faulty because I jump started the bike, let it idle for 10 minutes and drove 3 eventful kilometers after which it started again(but not the next mornig). But after I drove 1 of the 3 kilometers I lost revs despite twisting the throtle and the bike stolled. When I pressed the start button again the rev needle went up to the 1000 mark without the starter turning. I also noticed when I pulled the brake the park light came on instead of the brake light. I switched the ignition off and on again, the generator light stayed off! I pushed the bike and got it going again, drove 2 kilometers, turned it off and succesfully started it again? Ever since this happened the brake light is not working as well as the right indicators. I find myself in unfamilliar waters with this electrical problem and would apreciate any advice. Thanks alot. Hendri ( hen3vdwalt@gmail.com ).

Would suggest that you take up the matter with Lenny at Bavaria.

I would rather go to Simon Pilfold at Bavarian East. He is way more clued up on the older bikes, especially on the electrical department. Any auto electrician should be able to help.

This sounds like a short circuit of some kind and it seems that a few fuses blew.

(PS check for rats, the little critters can cause havoc with wiring)

hen3 wrote:I replaced the battery and enjoyed trouble free riding for two weeks, but ocasionally noticed a spark from the distributor to the frame when the bike was idleing cold.

Do you not mean the coil sparking to the frame?
Boxer twins do not have a distributor.
The points cause two coils in parallel to fire both cylinders at once - the so-called 'lost spark system'.
One cylinder is on the compression stroke, the other on the exhaust stroke.
When one cylinder isn't firing properly, one of the ways to problem solve is swap the coils.
If the other cylinder stops firing, then the coil is the problem.
If the same cylinder stops firing, then the plug or lead is the problem.



Reading through the rest of your post, I believe you may have a break in the wiring loom of your bike that is causing short circuits and draining the battery. Only an moto-electrician or electrically informed person could trace it by going through the wires in your headlight one at a time.

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your advice. I have sorted out the doggy indicators and I'm working on the other problems.
Thanks again!!!