Yay, alternator replacement time!

[blupupher]

Well, it finally happened to me, time for an alternator replacement.

I have been having issues with occasional dim headlights, and thought it was the LED bulbs going bad (it was a very random dimming, similar to what I had happen in the past when LED bulbs go bad). I have only been riding too and from work lately (only 3 miles each way), and bike is put on a battery maintainer when I park it.
Today I decided to go for a long ride (about 4 hours planned).
As I get up on the freeway, I go to set my cruise, but it will not engage. Cruise light is on, but just will not set.
Wiggled the reverse lever (used it for the first time in weeks the other day) thinking maybe that was it, nope.
I keep riding and in my peripheral vision, I think I see the OD and cruise lights on the dash get brighter? Push the cruise set button, and the cruise works.
Cool.
About 15 seconds later, cruise disables and I can tell the OD and cruise lights are dim. Cruise will not reset.
Pull over and check the voltage (I have a cheap voltage meter in my tool bag, yes, need to get one mounted on my dash) and it shows 10.5 volts.
Well, there's the problem.
Luckily I was only 15 minutes into the ride, so turn around and headed home without issue.
I noticed several times while riding the cruise light getting bright and dim, so guess the alt was kicking on and off, but off most of the time.

Read a bunch of posts here and decided to order a LActrical 95 amp, will be here next week.

My old alternator was an OEM unit rebuilt by Ken Hemmings before I got it (don't remember what mileage/year, I have the paperwork somewhere), so it was a good unit.

Will post up when I get it done.

[DenverWinger]

Probably just worn brushes in the OEM.....

[blupupher]

Probably just worn brushes in the OEM.....

Could be, my plan is to put the new one in, then tear down the old one and see if it is something that I can fix so I have a spare.
If not, I may still see if I can find an alternator rebuild shop around me that would take it on.

[blupupher]

Well, got the LActrical 95 amp alternator last night and installed it today.
Really not that hard to do, just a pain having to take off all the plastic just to get to the one little plug.
I know many had cut the wire and added a splice, but I just don't like splicing wires if not needed, only and extra 10 minutes or so to get it off (I have done it enough that it really is not that hard).
So far seems to be good. I will be going for a ride later today, but even at idle, it is sitting at 14 volts, where before I was lucky to be at 13.

I also installed a volt meter. I have had it for over a year, just never got around to installing it.
Decided to put it on the shelter cover, thought it was a great place for it, but once I had it installed, I realized the back of the gauge hit the handle bar mount cover when turning the bars.
Pulling off the bar covers fixed it, but not happy with that, so will need to figure out what to do at some point. For now, it will stay there since it does work.

[Jetfighter3]

I had a crazy experience with replacing my alternator, I purchased a 90 amp alternator off eBay , it had good reviews so gave it a try. installed it and the next day I'm off to work, felt a slight vibration around 1800 RPM and cleared out at 2000 RPM. Plus the engine was running warmer than it ever had. Did some trouble shooting only to find that it was the new Alternator that was causing all the problems. When I touched it while running it was super hot ! I took it out and ran the bike around the block, running just on the Battery and all was good, temp normal vibration gone ! The shaft on the alternator seemed fine, spun with ease ? Any Ideas. I'm returning it and looking for a new one, Anyone have any good luck with high output Alternators you may have bough for your GL1500 ? Let me know....

[blupupher]

I had a crazy experience with replacing my alternator, I purchased a 90 amp alternator off eBay , it had good reviews so gave it a try. installed it and the next day I'm off to work, felt a slight vibration around 1800 RPM and cleared out at 2000 RPM. Plus the engine was running warmer than it ever had. Did some trouble shooting only to find that it was the new Alternator that was causing all the problems. When I touched it while running it was super hot ! I took it out and ran the bike around the block, running just on the Battery and all was good, temp normal vibration gone ! The shaft on the alternator seemed fine, spun with ease ? Any Ideas. I'm returning it and looking for a new one, Anyone have any good luck with high output Alternators you may have bough for your GL1500 ? Let me know....

I have heard of several complain of the same issue (the vibration part) with several different alternators.
Some just ride with it and no issues, others have said they retuned them and gotten a replacement with no issues on the new one.

I do notice "something" different with mine, nothing crazy, but I swear there is something different in sound/feel at lower RPM's since replacement, but not anything I am concerned about, and have not noticed any temp differences.