Batteryless Honda

[Dennis]

I have recently wired my Honda 350 (temporarily, ignition and charging only).  I am using an aftermarket, solid state regulator/rectifier unit which I purchased more than an year ago from Oregon Motorcycle Parts.  The proprietor, Tony, is awesome. He builds these himself or sells a few selected universal ones that he trusts.  He answers all your email questions.

Because my cb350 uses a fixed magnet alternator, I should in theory be able to run without a battery.  I tried this yesterday and it works like a charm.  Instead of the battery, I installed a large 4700uF capacitor.  Starts right up and runs great.  I ran it first with a battery and then swapped out the battery for the capacitor.  The engine was warm, so that may account for the easy starting.  I have yet to try it cold.

Tony at Oregon Motorcycle Parts says he is working on a prototype of a battery eliminator (capacitor) which will be rated at 15,000 uF which is supposedly much better.  I have told him I am happy to try one on my bike if he needs a guinea pig.

There are also some other battery eliminators on ebay.  Most are like mine; small cylinder shape about the size of a D cell battery.  I have emailed the vendor of the rectangular one for the uF rating, but he never got back to me.  I guess I won't be buying from that guy.

[itencarre]

That's great I love the bare bones, stripped down look with no side covers, airbox, or battery.

[Dennis]

I ran the Ebay Bobber this weekend.  I actually took it for a spin with the external fuel tank tied to the handle bars.  Runs great. 

I had a huge issue / learning experience on Sunday trying to get it going.  After only a few kicks (remember, no battery for the sparks ...  gotta build up some charge in the capacitor before it will even spark) I thought I'd pull a lazy and hook up a battery, just to make sure I had sparks.  Fired right up, but as soon as I disconnected the battery it died.  WTF 

After much screwing around including checking the fuse, I decided to check the continuity of the fuse.  Dead.  No obvious sign that it was blown at all.  After blowing a few more I realized that as soon as I wired in the battery, its full amperage was going through the fuse and blowing it/them.  Because I was hooking up the battery right to the ignition switch, and grounding it to the frame, the juice was getting to the ignition with the battery without having to go through the fuse. 

By the late afternoon, all was well and the little bobber purred (well more like snorted and growled).

[madmac74]

  so , Is insurance in the future???  Well done Dennis!!

MAC

[Dennis]

I thought I had all the paperwork for an easy transfer.  Even Cora Lee was impressed.  However, the computer records did not have anything on the registered owner ...  even though I had the licence plate.  I did the letter to ICBC route and got back the last registered owner (in their records).  1978  (even though I had a licence plate from 1988).  I was set to do the registered letter thing when I thought I'd check on line.  Turns out the fellow is still living at the same address where he lived in 1978.

It turns out he sold the bike to the fellow I bought it from.  He is more than willing to help me get the title. He work just a few blocks from Barton's so we are going to meet there this week and hopefully get a new owner's certificate issued to him and then transfered to me.