Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: electrical, vf750 magna, honda vf750

Question
hey there will,
i own a 94 honda vf750 magna, and i am having some electrical problems.
i blew my regulator months ago, but continued to ride.  my battery exploded.  stranded i had no choice but to use a portable jumper box to replace my battery.  
my turn signals were operating at 3X speed and then stopped working.
the front signals are iluminated, but only turn off when i try to operate them.
my rear signals and brake light do not work at all.
my local mechanic refuses to offer any advice and is a greedy man, do you have any advice for me?
ari

Answer
AJ,

Thanks for the question. You don't have an electrical "problem", you have an electrical disaster.

Sounds to me like you definitely have a blown voltage regulator, a fried turn signal solenoid (the thing that makes them blink), and perhaps a damaged alternator, and obviously you need a new battery. I'm amazed the bike is still running at all.

First step will be to replace the alternator (if needed), then  the voltage regulator and battery, then move on to the signal solenoid. You need to get the bike to a Honda mechanic that works at a Honda dealership, even if that means it's a ways away. You did not specify if the greedy local mechanic is at a Honda dealer, but if he is, then go to another dealer and don't be shy about lodging  a complaint with Honda and the BBB if you have documneted proof he ripped you off.

The repairs you require are not real "cheap" (electrical problems rarely are), but you need to get the bike checked out at a dealer soon before you suffer a more serious failure, such as a melted wire on a gas line or a total electrical failure. This is not a small problem, and continuing to ride the bike in this condition (and using a battery booster) will result in a major failure of some sort, and possible injury, in the near future. Please get it to another mechanic as soon as possible.

Best of luck,

Bill Roberson