After starting the bike and driving for ~ one mile, smoke started pouring out from under the fuel tank. Stopped the bike and turned the key off. The warning light for the sidestand was still lit, but the smoke stopped. After removing the seat and flipping the tank up I started the bike again and after very short time I could see the smoke comming out of the regulator/rectifier. Removed all wiring to and from the stinky bit, I could still start the bike and get it back home (After removing the wiring, the sidestand light was off). First, obviously the reg/rectifier is shot and I need a new one (two phase). Are there recommendations for specific types? I read about someone using used Yamaha parts, there are also cheapish reproductions available. As there are quite a few options available, I am not sure what to choose. Second, the part was the original one and held up 26 years before going dark. I'm impressed. But I want to make sure it did not take anything with it. Does anyone now the resistance values or the voltage that should come out of the two generator wires? Is there anything else that needs checking? Fuses are all good. Imagine the smell.
Don't be tempted by an Electrix World replacement. this was the remains of one of theirs: I replaced it with a Shindengen FH020AA and used cables meant for a Triumph. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=57360 Nasher
As you've suggested the Shindengen FH020AA doesn't support a charge warning light in the same way as the Ducati unit. I replaced the charging light with a completely different unit that fits directly to the battery and changes from Red to green when it's charging. it's proved to work very well. The UK Monster forum thread I linked to has all the details towards the end of the thread. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=57360 Nasher.
Same here, I have an independent charge light which shows , under charge, over charge and correct charge within a pre set range. Small light to the right of the temperature gauge.
I have a Shindengen FH020AA on my 907ie and use one of these to operate the charge warning light. It will tell me that the battery is charging or not and if it is overcharging.
No, the charging light was off. The fuel warning light was on for a week with the tank full, but that's probably not related. Besides that everything was normal.
I had a 1995 900SS of which the regulator did the same thing. The only warning I got was that for a week or so beforehand the charge light needed a bit more revs before going out.
If you are happy buying secondhand, the Shindingen unit turns up at reasonable prices quite often now as used on many bikes, you could use an FH020AA as described above or even an older FH012AA. Don't be fooled by the Chinese copies of this regulator, they look very similar but are much cheaper than genuine item.
For what it's worth the regulator/rectifier went south on my 600 Monster a few years ago. I did some shopping around and it turned out that a new Ducati unit wasn't much more expensive, about £80 at the time IIRC. Seeing as the old one had lasted about 13 or 14 years at the time, I didn't think that was bad. It also meant that it was plug-in-and-play which saved faffing around altering connectors and charge lights like some of the alternatives. Had no problems with it since. Might pay you to price one up from Ducati, sometimes you can be pleasently surprised by their prices. Just bought a clutch pushrod bearing and end seal from Moto Rapido and they were pennies more expensive than the cheapest bearing factor on line!
Just like mine! I can't see the point in replacing it with another original that probably costs more and will fail sooner or later. They are well known for it!
Fuel warning light? My regulator/ rectifier is on it way out, it’ll glow red on start up and fade to off over a few miles It’s booked in for a replacement later this month.
Yes, probably just coincidental. Happened a week ago for the first time. Tank was full, light was on permanent while driving. I had that, too. I thought it's because I rarely drove at the time and the bike was standing for two to three weeks between ride outs, so I blamed it on the battery getting low. Light went off after the engine had high enough idle after starting.
One of the online-retailers over here (Stein-Dinse) has an original looking one which has even "Ducati" stamped into the housing. That doesn't mean much, of course, but the shop is very helpful and reliable. The cost for that plug&play replacement is at 135 € Seems ok, considering that ebay stuff isn't much cheaper.
Stein Dinse are good, I've had Genuine Ducati parts delivered to me here in the UK by them quicker and cheaper than ordering them from dealers here. Their online parts drawings are also a great resource. Nasher
Strein Dinse also have an Austrian supplier who makes a lot of old obsolete parts for them under licence such as the double width spacer for double banjo bolts and the speedo cable guide on the SS . I've used them several times.
They are indeed a great resource. Also for stuff like stickers. I have tested the alternator windings with a multimetre. Resistance should be between 0.7 and 1.0 Ohms between the wires, I measured 0.9 Ohms. Might be ok. Will have to start the bike up to see what kind of voltage is coming out of there.
