Store a spare regulator/rectifier under the 1980G seat

[3Phase]

There is a fairly large space underneath the seat pan just above the rear fender on a 1980 XS1100G. I used the space to store a spare regulator/rectifier.


Drill and tap two holes in the underside of the seat pan to hold the spare regulator/rectifier.




The two Allen bolts are long enough to go all the way through the aluminum heatsink into the threaded holes in seat pan without creating a spike in the pillion seat foam.




The spare regulator/rectifier is bolted to the seat pan and the bolts secured with blue Loctite threadlocker.




Looking up from the left-hand saddlebag at the spare regulator/rectifier with the seat installed. The wire connectors are covered with duct tape to keep out oil, dust and water.




The spare regulator/rectifier is not visible at or above seat-level except for a reflection on the rear fender.



Now it's time to load up and head out for a ride!

[GARTHXS]

Where does the spare tire go? Seriously Scott you have waaaayyy to much time on your hands, you need a job! Just giving you a hard time, I am jealous

[jimbyjimb]

Genius! I love it!

[mstic2000]

Let us know if you find a place for a spare engine on there someplace.

[BIG MIC]

Love this anytime u can carry spare parts it is awesome after all
we are on a bike ride heaven for bid we walk some where lol

[3Phase]

Garth: Thptptptpbbptptp!

Mic, it's not the walking, trust me. I also have a spare TCI and a few other parts stashed in various and sundry locations about the bike, leaving my luggage space free to carry, well, erm, luggage!

If the R/R goes bad on a long trip you can build your own from Radio Shack parts. If you don't feel like rolling your own R/R on the road there would be a substantial cost for a motel room while awaiting delivery of another R/R (if you can find anyone that will ship parts to a motel!) or the even more substantial cost of renting a U-Haul one-way to bring back a broken bike.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Ya know, Scott... that's a great idea!
I've been thinking about picking up one of the Geezer Reg/recs & making the switch pretty soon on the XJ. I'd like to carry the old stocker as a backup, but was concerned about it bouncing around in a saddlebag...

I'll have to look closer at the seatpan of the XJ to see if there's similar clearance.
Thanks for the idea! I'll check it out.

[motoman]

Hey all........Scott is showing us his ingenuity as a diversion........actually has a spare blow-up XS11 stashed in the fairing......

[bikerphil]

Had my reg. go out away from home before. Grounded out the green field coil wire and just filled the battery up more often. No damage. YMMV. Good idea for carrying a spare though.

[BigRed]

Just get the biggest car battery you can find, and strap it to your luggage rack, then you've got a spare rotor, stator, and reg/rec

When I was in University, I had an old Porsche 944 (it was pretty beat). When the alternator went, and until I could save for a replacement, I had a spare battery on the floor of the passener seal, and booster cables running out the door and under the hood. I'd charge them up when I got home. Girls in the passenger seat got to ride with their feet on the dash. Loved that car

[XJOK2PLAY]

Just get the biggest car battery you can find, and strap it to your luggage rack, then you've got a spare rotor, stator, and reg/rec

When I was in University, I had an old Porsche 944 (it was pretty beat). When the alternator went, and until I could save for a replacement, I had a spare battery on the floor of the passener seal, and booster cables running out the door and under the hood. I'd charge them up when I got home. Girls in the passenger seat got to ride with their feet on the dash. Loved that car

You may or may not be joking...
But had a friend who was out in the middle of nowhere on his 11 a few years back when this happened... and that's EXACTLY how he kept going!

[Ivan]

Garth: Thptptptpbbptptp!

Mic, it's not the walking, trust me. I also have a spare TCI and a few other parts stashed in various and sundry locations about the bike, leaving my luggage space free to carry, well, erm, luggage!

If the R/R goes bad on a long trip you can build your own from Radio Shack parts. If you don't feel like rolling your own R/R on the road there would be a substantial cost for a motel room while awaiting delivery of another R/R (if you can find anyone that will ship parts to a motel!) or the even more substantial cost of renting a U-Haul one-way to bring back a broken bike.

Where is the write up on the roll your own reg?

[randy]

you can build your own from Radio Shack parts

Yeah, Ivan, i got the idea that was a lot of hot air..

[thewiz]

Scott ... is the rectifier really necessary?

[Ivan]

Yeah, Ivan, i got the idea that was a lot of hot air..

No, it should be fairly easy to make one. Just need to know the part numbers. I am fairly sure one could be fabricated from alternator parts sourced from a parts store if you knew what to look for.

When my reg fails, I'll figure it out.

And..

Yes the rectifier bridge is necessary. That part converts the AC output to DC which the bike uses. If there were no rectifier, then it would be like trying to wire a lamp cord to your television remote and plugging it into the wall so you don't have to buy batteries.