I have an Accumate charger so that rules out incorrect battery charging technique. With the battery fully charged over night, the bike obviously starts fine in the morning. However, with lights on and about 30 minutes into my commute it started playing-up this morning. Throttle open fully and it felt like I needed to switch to the reserve tank, but the tank was virtually full. Switched lights off and it seemed to return full power, until I approached a roundabout, the revs dropped to idle speed and it died. Managed to bump start it (cheers Thunderace biker for the push) but had to keep the revs up at junctions to stop it dying again. Got to work switched off the engine, tried to restart and hardly any juice in the battery.

Now, this indicates to me that the alternator is dead and it doesnt seem to generate power to keep the battery in check. Anyone else got any ideas as to what might be wrong??? 400GreyBike.co.uk is not working at present hence the post here.

I have an Accumate charger so that rules out incorrect battery charging technique. With the battery fully charged over night, the bike obviously starts fine in the morning. However, with lights on and about 30 minutes into my commute it started playing-up this morning. Throttle open fully and it felt like I needed to switch to the reserve tank, but the tank was virtually full. Switched lights off and it seemed to return full power, until I approached a roundabout, the revs dropped to idle speed and it died. Managed to bump start it (cheers Thunderace biker for the push) but had to keep the revs up at junctions to stop it dying again. Got to work switched off the engine, tried to restart and hardly any juice in the battery.

Now, this indicates to me that the alternator is dead and it doesnt seem to generate power to keep the battery in check. Anyone else got any ideas as to what might be wrong??? 400GreyBike.co.uk is not working at present hence the post here.


Sounds like the usual regulator / rectifier problems, the only real weak spot of the Honda 400's! Not the cheapest part though so make sure you get it checked out before ordering a new one!!!

Matt.

Yep agree on above, only other two things that I had issues with on mine were the fuel pump, replaced with a 2nd hand cbr6 one and the cut off switch which I had disconnected as they rust to buggery during winter and then when its off and the contact points fail your electrics are knackered until the switch is bypassed/removed!

Cheers for comments guys. Bugger, looks like I'm going to have to get it serviced also so will get the above checked also.

Hello m8
Get a volt meter across the battery and check the output from the nator with the engine running,Not the correct way to do it but will give you and indication of output,
Battery could be at fault ?


Cheers for comments guys. Bugger, looks like I'm going to have to get it serviced also so will get the above checked also.

Battery could be at fault ?

Could be, but the reg / rec is such a common prob with the Honda 4's that it's got to be the first place to look!!

Matt

Sometimes were blind to see the obvious,Check the easiest first and always start at the beginning..........
Been in the trade as a auto electrician for 20yrs + you'd be supprissed how difficult people make the jobs,
good luck
Not familiar with this honda so couldnt pass a comment on the reg
Could be, but the reg / rec is such a common prob with the Honda 4's that it's got to be the first place to look!!

Matt