Hi airhead (and the others),
You write:
"They can't be recommended (unless they are selectable charge rate hi and lo, which some are) if you do a lot of long distance stuff. The battery won't like you and being tucked away where it is likely not checked till it's boiled dry." 1.) My R 65 won't be driven on distances shorter than 15 mls. For short range cycling we're using an old 2-stroke-250cc-MZ. On the other hand, it is my favorite item for long ranging because on a BMW fatigue is hard to feel even at Europe-crossing distances. The Battery holds its level even in summer times, it has never boiled out its acid filling. Refills of destillated water on service intervals were minimal. The gov. regulator maintains a reliable circuit system with stable electrical values - bulbs and lamps have very long living periods, compared to other cycle brands. The battery (a standard 18-Ah-VARTA), built in together with the gov. regulator, is now working her seventh year of living.
2.) The old standard regulator was replaced by me for battery sulfating probs - the old battery was never charged properly, as testing with the old acid-density-measurement-bulb clearly showed. Measurements of that old standard regulator showed a switching-off-currency of 13,8 Volts - far lower than other bikes (Japanese or Italian) with modern electrical equipment (principally 14,4 - 14,6 Volts).
The shown OEM regulator offered by British ebay is an old mechanical type, as his (higher) metal housing clearly shows. Avoid this old instable spark sprayer instead of the modern electronical (plastic housed) WEHRLE (tm) stock item. Red housing for regular, black for govermental use. In Germany, new (= old stock) items are sold at 20 Euros. Want me to chase after one and ship to the States (plus CIF)?
Drive safely
+++
westfalian alien
