Motorcycle Repair: rectifier regulator, regulator rectifier, fuse blows

Question
I have a 1998 VT750 shadow ace.  I was riding the other day when all of a sudden my bike went dead, no power, no sound when the starter button is pushed.  Tried to push start, but to no avail.  Main fuse was blown.  I replaced the main fuse with the spare, turned the engine to see if it would crank and it did (feel good moment.) I shut it off to put the seat, covers, and helmet on.  When I went to start it, no fire (feel bad moment.)  Tried to jump it, but when I took the cables off, after it started, it died.  I got a new battery since then and I have blown 5 main fuses.  I crank it up and in 5 to 10 sec the main fuse blows.  Battery is still good.  I used a voltage meter to test the battery and it looked low. I unplugged the connector from the rectifier/regulator and the voltage was normal.  I tested the voltage between the red/white and the green on the connector when it was unplugged from the rec/reg and the voltage is good. Is my rectifier/regulator suppose to get hot when the bike is off?  Is my rec/reg bad or something else.  I do not have any extra accessories that require power or addional wires.  I need help and would appreciate your time in helping me solve this problem.  

Answer
Hi Venson,

Visit Electro Sport's website and follow their "Fault Finding Chart" to test the regulator rectifier:

www.electrosport.com/electrosport_fault_finding.html


Visit this website and review Honda's "Common Service Manual." This is the parent manual to all Honda service manuals. It will help you test the R/R, too.

www.honda4fun.com/man_officina/man_officina.html

The R/R is designed to become hot when the engine is running. It should not become warm or hot when MC is not in use.

Here's another good resource: Dan's free on-line MC repair course.

www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm


Blowing fuses is likely a direct short. Finding the cause can be time consuming and frustrating.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively