The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Dizerens5 on May 01, 2013, 02:24:46 PM

Title: Comedy time
Post by: Dizerens5 on May 01, 2013, 02:24:46 PM

Just for laughs (tho not mine!). After 55 years on big bikes the other day was the first time I have ever needed to be rescued by a breakdown service. Total and sudden engine stop. The breakdown man loaded up on his flat-bed and kindly took me and the R65 home, but oh! the humiliation....   Well the photo shows the fun, after careful fault-finding there it was, the contact breaker lead had fallen off...  

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Dizerens5 on May 01, 2013, 02:43:52 PM

I just rolled to a stop on the shoulder but now I think of it, if I had been in an outside lane in heavy traffic, this sudden failure could have been really dangerous. Not a happy thought.

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: RSMike on May 01, 2013, 03:41:33 PM

Wow!, I'd say that is a pretty unusual failure. Do you think a bump worked it loose or did the connector fail in some way?

But at least the fix is a very easy one, :)

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Barry on May 01, 2013, 03:52:23 PM

Mine has only let me down once.

After a service including setting the points, I went for a quick test drive and the motor died 2 miles from home. The points had closed up which wouldn't have been a problem if I'd taken the tool kit.  Had to push it home - both embarrassing and seriously hard work.

Thinking about the failure, it's possible to push the connector on so that the spade is between the insulating boot and the outside of the connector. I know I've done that but spotted it before buttoning things up. Always careful to check now that the connector has a good grip on the spade.

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Justin B. on May 01, 2013, 04:21:46 PM

Hate it when that happens!

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Air4Life on May 01, 2013, 05:40:46 PM

Quote

Thinking about the failure, it's possible to push the connector on so that the spade is between the insulating boot and the outside of the connector. I know I've done that but spotted it before buttoning things up. Always careful to check now that the connector has a good grip on the spade.

That's Good point Barry.  Now that you point that out, doesn't that insulation look like it has taken on an unusual amount of heat?  Could it be that it was as you said, and the added resistance from the poor connection made its mark?

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Justin B. on May 01, 2013, 06:49:47 PM

Quote

Thinking about the failure, it's possible to push the connector on so that the spade is between the insulating boot and the outside of the connector. I know I've done that but spotted it before buttoning things up. Always careful to check now that the connector has a good grip on the spade.

I've done that myself on more than one occasion...  :P

Title: Re: Comedy time
Post by: Dizerens5 on May 02, 2013, 01:31:39 AM

Yes I think Barry is probably correct. And guess who put that connector on last! Can't put the blame on a PO this time.