[Rugged]

Hi Bullet Guru's need an answer.
My mechanic says that he has put in 2750 ML engine oil during the recent service. But the RE Manual says that only 2500 ML.
Was that a bluff ?
Someone help

[Milestone]

Friends,

Need your views on the issue I'm facing with my Electra '08 model. Spark plug is getting fuse very frequently. It happened on two occasions back to back, i.e first time the spark plug was fuse, got it changed and drove for some 15 KM and parked, after that it would not start. Checked the spark plug and realized fuse again. At both the instance it never stalled on the way, but I could feel the loss in power and engine coughing at times as if it’s going to stop. I was ignorant that spark plug will fuse until my mechanic told it happens, is that true ?

Any pointers what could be the issue?

Cheers !!!

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by Milestone

I'm facing with my Electra '08 model. Spark plug is getting fuse very frequently. I was ignorant that spark plug will fuse until my mechanic told it happens, is that true ?

Milestone mate your Electra's symptoms are exactly like mine when I faced this issue(with my 1996 CI Standard Bullet) way back on 2012. As a matter of fact the spark plug does short/fuse due to electrical issues or mechanical issues. In my case it was related to electrical issues. My wiring was pretty old(1996 model) and was in a mess due to frequent cuts and joints. I decided to change the whole wiring harness along with the spark plug cap and HT wire. This was the time I also installed an RR(Regulator Rectifier) unit. The problem of plug shorting/fusing disappeared from then on and never returned till date.

I once experimented with an NGK spark plug which gave me some problems as it was a cold plug. RE CI's require a hot plug so I switched back to OEM Bosch/Mico spark plug and was back to normal. As a general practice I always carry a spare plug with me while riding. I think you should get your electrical system checked and also the condition of your spark plug to see if it is over sooty, oily, etc.

[rakesh_r]

Has anyone used/ using a 100/90 bulb in REs ? If yes what are the cons of using one.Will the battery be discharged even on highway runs?Will it overload the wiring and alternator?
I did search the forum but didn't get any conclusive answers.
PS- I have upgraded the headlight dome to a Hella 7" Sealed beam unit from the Ambassador.

[Milestone]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Milestone mate your Electra's symptoms are exactly like mine when I faced this issue(with my 1996 CI Standard Bullet) way back on 2012. As a matter of fact the spark plug does short/fuse due to electrical issues or mechanical issues. .... As a general practice I always carry a spare plug with me while riding. I think you should get your electrical system checked and also the condition of your spark plug to see if it is over sooty, oily, etc.

Thanks Navin. I hope mine is an electrical issue, it all started after the service at one of the showroom service center, my bad. Just out of curiosity what could be the mechanical related issues? I'm worried on this, coz electrical is much easy to rectify if related to wiring. And, yes spark plug at both the occasions were sooty.

You have made interesting point - RR, does the modern bullet line up come with one ? not sure will check with my regular mechanic.

Cheers !!!

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by Milestone

Just out of curiosity what could be the mechanical related issues? I'm worried on this, coz electrical is much easy to rectify if related to wiring. And, yes spark plug at both the occasions were sooty.

Mate a sooty spark plug is normal an over sooty spark plug shows signs of ultra rich fuel mixture tuning. Mechanical issues will result in an oiled spark plug which is prone to fouling. These issues arises from a worn out cylinder wall or worn out piston rings or the piston itself which fouls with spark plug with oil. I suggest you to get your air fuel mixture checked and set it to proper level. Also make sure you are using OEM Bosch Mico spark plug of hot plug type. Keep us posted if these measures resolve the issue.

[FuelInjector]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Has anyone used/ using a 100/90 bulb in REs ? If yes what are the cons of using one.Will the battery be discharged even on highway runs?Will it overload the wiring and alternator?
I did search the forum but didn't get any conclusive answers.
PS- I have upgraded the headlight dome to a Hella 7" Sealed beam unit from the Ambassador.

i know a lot of folks in the kovai thumpers bike club (though am not a member) who have upgraded the headlamps with DRLs as well. No issues reported during monsoon runs and highway runs. You can safely go ahead with these upgrade.
can you please post a pic of the Hella 7". Is this on the last pic you posted (that you took at 6am)

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by FuelInjector

i know a lot of folks in the kovai thumpers bike club (though am not a member) who have upgraded the headlamps with DRLs as well. No issues reported during monsoon runs and highway runs. You can safely go ahead with these upgrade.
can you please post a pic of the Hella 7". Is this on the last pic you posted (that you took at 6am)

I guess we need to install a wiring kit too.
I installed the new headlight just yesterday.Will take some pics tonight.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Has anyone used/ using a 100/90 bulb in REs ? If yes what are the cons of using one.Will the battery be discharged even on highway runs?Will it overload the wiring and alternator?

Originally Posted by FuelInjector

i know a lot of folks in the kovai thumpers bike club (though am not a member) who have upgraded the headlamps with DRLs as well. No issues reported during monsoon runs and highway runs. You can safely go ahead with these upgrade.

It is a well discussed topic here & elsewhere that the RE CL500 alternator is weak and can barely keep the 14AH battery fully charged.

The question was about adding 75Watts of additional load or about 6.5A additional current through the existing switch gear and battery. [(100+90) - (60+55) in high beam mode.]

And the recommendation is - Go ahead and do it because someone in Kovai has installed DRLs of unknown wattage and those REs are running fine??!!

The mind boggles.

Please don't do it. You not only run a risk of running a fire in the cables due to overload, this can potentially impact a number of electrical/electronic subsystems as well as the battery itself.

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

It is a well discussed topic here & elsewhere that the RE CL500 alternator is weak and can barely keep the 14AH battery fully charged.

The question was about adding 75Watts of additional load or about 6.5A additional current through the existing switch gear and battery. [(100+90) - (60+55) in high beam mode.]

And the recommendation is - Go ahead and do it because someone in Kovai has installed DRLs of unknown wattage and those REs are running fine??!!

The mind boggles.

Please don't do it. You not only run a risk of running a fire in the cables due to overload, this can potentially impact a number of electrical/electronic subsystems as well as the battery itself.

I was a bit skeptical considering the cl500 is an FI bike. I guess i will abandon the idea,maybe install LED aux lights or a single Hella spot light.Any suggestion on this set up?

[FuelInjector]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

It is a well discussed topic here & elsewhere that the RE CL500 alternator is weak and can barely keep the 14AH battery fully charged.

The question was about adding 75Watts of additional load or about 6.5A additional current through the existing switch gear and battery. [(100+90) - (60+55) in high beam mode.]

And the recommendation is - Go ahead and do it because someone in Kovai has installed DRLs of unknown wattage and those REs are running fine??!!

The mind boggles.

Please don't do it. You not only run a risk of running a fire in the cables due to overload, this can potentially impact a number of electrical/electronic subsystems as well as the battery itself.

Thanks outofthebox. can you point me to the threads of discussion please? was under the impression that a 12volt battery should handle the increase in amperage. This would also help other ignorant people who have done mods to their electricals.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

I guess i will abandon the idea,maybe install LED aux lights or a single Hella spot light.Any suggestion on this set up?

I'll share what I did on my 2011 RE CL500 last year. I was having visibility issues riding in winter fog in North India after I shifted from BLR to DEL.

First I reduced the lighting load on the battery by about 30% by switching to LED lamps in brake lights, trafficators, pilot lamps, as well the LEDs in the console. I also tried a LED headlamp but the focus was not very good so I switched to Osram Night breakers.

Secondly, I installed a pair of 7W Cree LED fog lamps on the crash guard. These are very helpful on dark or poorly lit roads and highways and in general in illuminating the road surface at night. Of course very helpful during foggy conditions too.



The bike works fine with these mods and no battery or starting trouble for more than a year. Hope this helps.

[FuelInjector]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

Hope this helps.

noticed you have handle-bar mirrors. can you recommend good ones? how does the rearview reflection look when you have these and what is the span? do these vibrate at high rpms?
Any troubles you have faced with those?

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

I'll share what I did on my 2011 RE CL500 last year. I was having visibility issues riding in winter fog in North India after I shifted from BLR to DEL.

First I reduced the lighting load on the battery by about 30% by switching to LED lamps in brake lights, trafficators, pilot lamps, as well the LEDs in the console. I also tried a LED headlamp but the focus was not very good so I switched to Osram Night breakers.

Secondly, I installed a pair of 7W Cree LED fog lamps on the crash guard. These are very helpful on dark or poorly lit roads and highways and in general in illuminating the road surface at night. Of course very helpful during foggy conditions too.

Attachment 1427017

The bike works fine with these mods and no battery or starting trouble for more than a year. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply.One more query,any particular online store from where I can procure LED- tail lamps,indicator bulbs and cluster lamps?

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by FuelInjector

noticed you have handle-bar mirrors. can you recommend good ones? how does the rearview reflection look when you have these and what is the span? do these vibrate at high rpms?
Any troubles you have faced with those?

I got these for exactly the same reason - the stock ones vibrate so bad that it's impossible to see anything in them after a certain speed. Very dangerous conditions on highways.

The ones you see in my pic are very high quality clones of a Rizoma model which costs INR22k per pair. I paid around INR3.5k for these. They are solidly built, real CNC aluminium, anti glare and absolutely zero vibes at speed.
Made & sold by a RE fan who also owns a RE showroom & service centre in Delhi. Search for ASCO bar end mirrors on Amazon.in and you will find them.

The alternator battery issue for one was discussed in this RE CL500 mega thread several times:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ic-thread.html

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Thanks for the reply.One more query,any particular online store from where I can procure LED- tail lamps,indicator bulbs and cluster lamps?

I bought mine from a store called BULL LEDs on ebay.in. Not related to him in anyway but the chap is very helpful and has extensive experience installing these on REs. Everything except his headlamp solution is good. The Cree fog lamps I ordered from overseas.