Understanding And Diagnosing Classic BMW Motorcycle Charging Systems

[@paullanham1014]

One thing you were totally wrong about, I haven’t got one of these and I still watched the whole video and found it interesting!

[@iantomlinson2422]

me too, things are explained so way

[@andymawby52]

"I wont waffle to much..." I spat out my drink and laughed so hard. We love your waffle.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

😂 You know me too well! I can't f...ing help myself 😁

[@nigelsride]

😂😂😂 its brilliant. A proper trooper with all the issues you had , brilliant 😂 hope you feel better soon 😊

[@ianthepelican2709]

Does his best waffling when he tells himself not to waffle. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV Just let it flow. Very interesting, most of it.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

​@nigelsride thanks mate 👍 This is my 4th time having Covid. This one is completely different and not a lot of fun. I'm propper broken 😂

[@Andrew-z6i]

I think the reason why you had the low ohms reading at first was because you had no gloves on and your fingers were all over the slip rings and probe tips. The reading was taking the path of least resistance, which was your skin. Something that i learnt many years ago when i was in electrical and electronic work. Great video.

[@MikeHarveyPhoto]

Correct about the false readings

[@darylnicklen3685]

I saw that as well as a alternator rebuilder in days gone by, its an easy mistake to make if you don't do these type readings regularly.

[@Andrew-z6i]

@@darylnicklen3685 Yes, a very easy mistake. 👍

[@glenben92]

"you don't wanna let the magic smoke out of the rectifier" had me absolutely floored mate hahaha I love that

[@waynep4256]

You, Sir, must be the best bike diagnostic person I have ever come across. Love all your videos so far. (Lots more for me to catch up on) Don't stop your waffles. You make me smile and it's apart of your character. And thanks for taking the time to post videos like this one. 👍😊

[@TuberiderFPV]

This was handy as i'm just rebuilding one of these passed on to me by my dad. Keep up the good vids they are great to watch.

[@peterwilson8797]

@@TuberiderFPV Are Moto Bins still about. They were brilliant when I had mine.

[@dbx3197]

I bet this level of diagnosis doesn’t take place in many main dealers. Really interesting video. Thanks.

[@volvogt21]

The videos would be half the length if the reminders not to waffle weren't included. It's a sneaky strategy to baffle and confuse the monetisation algorithm into paying more. Super clever that. Another great video mate

[@markjones1672]

Another blit of learning tucked away - thx as always. Never a beemer fan, but appreciate the nuts & bolts build approach of the old stuff - designed to be fixed! Simple is good if it's done right - oh for a reed valve 500 2stroke single....😊

[@blademansw]

A most excellent waffleage good sir, I enjoyed every minute of it!

[@mattstil1362]

My trusted mechanic does contractor work along with is own work as he his another person who actually knows what he is doing, which he shares his some of other work with…you have my sympathy and respect!

[@1crazypj]

I worked at BMW motorcycle dealers in the 80's although we sold about 15~20 Suzuki's for every one BMW. I liked the air heads, very nice bikes if your doing high mileage daily, 500~600 was fine (We had a K100 come in with almost 260,000 miles, it was VERY tired) Anyway, that type of alternator was very very common on Honda's and Yamaha's and was used by Suzuki from 1984 until (I think?) 2008 or 2009 on all SACS engined bikes (GSX-R, GSX-F 600~1200) Except for external regulator and regulator, (good idea as they run a lot cooler) all car alternators are same type. Alternators come in two types, PMS and EMS, permanent magnet or electromagnet. If you were doing a dynamo bike it would be far more interesting as all the cable tags would be missing and with every wire a black wire, much more 'fun' to work on (FAED much?). I couldn't cope with the waffling, took just over 8 minutes to think about and type this, tha's as much as I could manage.

[@markbryan7625]

I was wondering if it was a dynamo system. You have answered my brain waffleage! Thank you.

[@jps342]

When you tested the first rotor, the "new" one you had your bare fingers on the test probes that's why the readings were not correct, your body/skin conducts electricity Time served 50 year retired auto electrician here, BMW motorcycles use Bosch charging, starting and even injection systems which are pretty generic and also used in 1000's of cars usually new replacement parts are 10 times and more cheaper from car part suppliers than Motorad BMW

[@ramsayward]

I enjoyed that. I've got a 1977 R75/7 airhead BMW. Great bike to work on once you get your head around some of the systems.

[@MrVinnyh]

I found this vlog interesting Jim, went on flee/bay after watching the vlog for Classic Boxer Charging, 3 books upteam boxer shorts & a charge cable for a phone was the result 😵‍💫🤣

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

😂

[@johnmetcalfe5631]

Well explained Jim. BMW certainly make their bikes different to the japanese manufacturers. I've got a 1994 K1100LT and upgraded the alternator to the police spec version 50amp from the standard 32amp and have had no charging issues ever since and the bike has nearly 90000 miles on the clock.

[@mickibbett2120]

Thank you. Very nice bike. I was an AA mechanic and worked on lot of these. Great video.

[@henryhyam5148]

Thanks. Very clear and useful revision session for me. I always have a spare charging light bulb and good used diode board under the seat.

[@MikePascoe-s3o]

Most grateful for this video. Live in remote North of Australia so battle to trouble shoot and maintain my R65. Cheers

[@bradleygane1927]

Thank you for explaining this. Electrics is a dark art to me and I find it hard to understand to be honest. Your explanations helped me to understand more. Thanks for taking the time to make videos like this. I'm off to watch your anatomy of the charging system now. Thanks!

[@darcylandry4669]

Excellent video! When I was training and now as an instructor we call the stator common connector the wye or Y connector as opposed to star. Six of one and half a dozen of another though! Keep up the awesome work Jim.

[@keithf8890]

As said already,found this interesting.I don’t think I’ve come across any of your vids that weren’t.All the best

[@GeekyRuss]

Many thanks for this video and most timely, my R80 is only charging from about 4000rpm onwards and to be honest I was struggling to comprehend how to go about testing the thing so this is brilliant. I've also taken note not to let the smoke out of the rectifier, ha ha!

[@stevebloke5455]

Geez you must have been a good boy, Subway delivered. Great video as usual hope you ditch the virus asap noooo fun at all.

[@ridervfr2798]

the seating position on this bike is "wonky" hands very close together, one of the best looking functioning fairings ever made. Zener diodes were on old "Guzzi's" too. Good wrenching.

[@colfergusson4242]

Brilliant video content again mate, 👍 did chuckle at the well trained wife comment, then you get a subway to, perfect

[@jamesrichardson1901]

I have three airheads. "Slightly odd" is a classic British understatement.

[@madheadmadDAZ]

That was a great video. More detailed videos like this please if you can.

[@bikerstuff2]

Great and interesting video, as always. Thanks Jim and get well soon

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@GerryPowell-r6s]

Very precise and informative,thanks😍

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Wooohooo what a treat. Jim on friday night.

[@hlpang1075]

Thanks for the education. Its awesome. Interesting that the Germans had a different way of controlling voltage!

[@Shifty-t5w]

I think i had the same system on my Yamaha XS 650

[@dhc8guru]

About five minutes into the video, I said to myself “Jim’s got Covid “. I start rambling easily because my mind is all hazy. I sound just like you. I say this as, I’ve been down with COVID also.

[@01thomasss]

Moto Guzzis of the same era had an almost identical charging system, also using the same Bosch components. What is really important is that the charge light bulb must be in good order for the system to charge.

[@firestorm755]

Good vid. I hope you feel better soon

[@squire5298]

ha i'll be honest, maybe its because i work in service as well and fix things for a living too...... but even though you say we probably dont want to see it working..... i definitely did want to see it working as it should at the end of the video! i just wanted to see that little light flashing as it should haha :( Its always good to see the end result IMO.

[@chrisclague5578]

Thanks for your reply, your video's are brilliant .

[@MrBeboopman]

Brilliant vid ... beautiful bike 😊

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Always enjoy your videos Jim 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@benjaminrich9396]

Beautiful bike

[@bluehazeboy]

Looks very similar to a Suzuki gt750,I had a problem with the rotor (which looks very similar to it),the same problem was that it would totally discharge a fully charged battery in a week,but the problem wasn’t as straight forward as it should,it showed while standing still 4.2ohms & the problem started when the bike was running where it wouldn’t charge,new rotors fitted & it’s job done

[@AnonAmouse-em4mf]

thanks for the share mate. interesting! :)

[@markaddy53]

great job as always lad keep up the great work next video please

[@DavidStevenson-gw2eo]

Thanks Jim, the boxer book is still available on ebay, just bought one.

[@FoundingStockNZ]

Waffling=Content 👌🏍️🙋

[@peterwilson8797]

I had the R100RT. Big Pos cable that runs inside the fairing cut through on the fairing mount. Common problem. I was lucky it drained the battery. They can catch fire. Bosch alternator the same as a car really but all spread out.

[@TheBlibo]

Great vid very teachy

[@timlangley8926]

nicely explained

[@TheBlibo]

It has a propper alternator that has propper control unlike the majority of permanent magnet devices whos output is a function of engine speed and effectively anything more than is required is shorted to ground via a zena diode so the alternator is running flat out all the time

[@witofthestaircase1]

Helpfully, on a low power BMW airhead, the variable magnetism eliminates unnecessary alternator drag instead of, as on a permanent magnet system, having to dump surplus current as heat.

[@nf4505]

Ohms difference is gloves and no gloves, I'll stop waffling Jim.🤣

[@ianmurray3820]

Quirky..!!! It’d be simpler to put a srurmey archer dynamo on the front tyre.!! Or better still on the rear for a neater wire install..👍

[@ronnyspanneveld8110]

Looks brand new, mine is from 1978 :P

[@barneyhughes]

Jim, would the diff in resistance be down to wearing the gloves the 2nd time?

[@sharvey6146]

bit of a yarn but I did watch it all

[@yveslegh]

Perfect information! And keep waffling please !😅

[@rlw85]

Last week I was talking to a 90 year old chap who has one of these and he’s done 150 thousand miles on it. He was moaning he hadn’t done his usual 10-15 miles a year.

[@weekendmodeller2740]

I had the same problem with my four cylinder 125, a bit of a bugger.

[@eddiestevenson-kaatsch6306]

Low resistance on new rotor: Bare fingers on both rings Mr Superbike Doctor? Second comparison test, rubber gloves on.

[@pauls4708]

perfect i have exactly this problem on a 1989 r100gs i just bought. I was 100k from home and it wouldnt start.If you remove the charge light bulb because it annoys you have made the problem much worse!

[@paulwatts905]

👍👍

[@ShootingAir]

My R100GS made me bald trying to learn the charging system coming from only knowledge of Japanese bikes. Then it made me swear off BMW's forever when the transmission chewed a bearing and left me stranded 50 miles down a 4x4-only track, which was 400 miles from home and out of cell service. That was one expensive motorcycle ownership experience.

[@mickleblade]

Ooof! How did that all pan out?

[@danielrogers7138]

My R1150R charge light comes on upon starting and it has from new. I am the original owner of this bike from 2004. The light goes out upon a slight revving or just driving away. Some kind of voltage regulator behavior I suspect.

[@1000sguzzi]

Moto Guzzi use the same Bosch set up..

[@Malc2169]

@10:45 No. The current that flows is entirely dependant on the load required. The voltage is regulated. Fuckin hell Jim, get it right…

[@Blade-1501]

Really missed the ending to see the fault fixed and the road test 😮

[@nikkihayes5411]

I watch your vids for the techno waffle...... Ive no clue what youre talking about as,sadly, my mechanical understanding ends at "fuel in there....ride bike....have bacon and mugotea...ride home"....just nice to know some people (mechanics) can keep bikes working. 🏍️💨💨💨💨☕🥓🏍️💨💨👍

[@jimh1021]

Feel better Covid is annoying

[@steveclark..]

I call it CONvid because the whole thing was a scam, fake tests, fraudulent death figures etc etc. Once I researched Klaus Schwab, the WEF and their plan, all the restrictions etc made sense.

[@bernardboshoff154]

LUCAS, Prince of darkness. BOSCH, King of darkness.

[@Enriquepad]

FUCK ME mate you're just like my brother LOL! He can talk all day and say absolutely fuck all, Other than that I like the vids, you know your onions I'll give you that.

[@MarkPearce-u7m]

Love the wafflage, expletives, and mech/tech knowhow, but please 🙏, as your name is Jim, stop saying NOW THEN! Or change your title to Jim'll fix it! 😮😂😂😂

[@godislove8740]

so .....electrons flux and they don't flow, Merlin Blencowe and Dr Emmett Brown were right.... I only just got here for 'The Waffle' which aint awful at all but It's a bit earlyy to be waffling back so early on physics. I\ve actually forgotten at least as much as you seem to drone on about so thanks for the timely reminder. : )

[@tonygriffiths2485]

I gave up at min21. Doing my fucking head in !!!

[@pjjms]

you had gloves on the second time you measured the new rotor. Salty sponges us humans

[@laughingdog1125]

was the bad reading the first time due to you using your bare hands second time you used gloves

[@louisvanrijn3964]

It is well known the Wehrle voltage regulators are unreliable. The higher voltage, low-rev-incoming one for police etc is still more unreliable. Maximum 40.000 kms Another cullpritt is the resistance of the rotor when it is hot. 3.8 Ohms at room temperature means 7 Ohms when it is hot. Regulator cannot regulate that any more. An hot it becomes, because it is firmly bolted to the crankshaft, and that crankshaft is oil temperature (90 C). A faulty design from origin. Electronics must stay cool and constant in temperature. Another cullpritt: The soldering of the rotor wires to the sliprings was an on-off contact so we had to heat it locally to solder it again. Holding fine sanding paper on the sliprings now and then increases the early charging, but wears the rings. The springs of the brushes must be strong enough... you hear it,... I drove 286.000 kms with my R100Rs 1978 model.

[@chrisclague5578]

The rotor isn’t three phase it must be a single phase. The stator is three phase.

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

I completely agree. Did I miss speak at some point 🤔

[@mattyb7736]

It's not a generator, it's an alternator, it makes AC ,generators make DC

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

I agree, but the naming convention for motorcycles is a bit wonky! Technically dynamos make DC. Basically a mechanically driven DC motor. The rectification is done by the commutator and they output DC directly. Alternators make AC, but just for added confusion alternators generally output DC as the rectification is done internally. Generator is a "catch all" term we use in this industry.

[@ianbonnick7640]

Those rubber mounts were crap and they still haven’t improved them

[@74Nikk]

Back when bmw bikes were ugly bastards 😅.

[@tonyw4863]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I lusted after one of these when they were new but never had the money to buy one.

[@wotnoturbo]

Do you write Kamala Harris's speeches as a side gig ?

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Fucking hell, I hope not 😂

[@wotnoturbo]

@@SuperbikeSurgeryTV 🤣🤣

[@basilwatson1]

Doing alright until the word "intermittent" was uttered and like the "Scottish play" those that know are reaching for the talisman to ward off those evil spirits

[@peekpt]

What is that? Weird looking bike😮

[@paulawright6868]

As a club handed buffoon, I appreciate your waffle 🩺🔧

[@rogerthedodger5788]

26:55 - neither a lender nor a borrower be - ive lost count of the items I've lent and never got back.

[@Gassit]

Same here and also the number of things I have got back that where broken when I got them back.