Continuing to update my V50II, I recently completed the well-known "Hayes Mod" to my bike's starter circuit. This consists of reconfiguring the relay wiring so that the relay output is directly routed: battery +pole - relay - solenoid. This results in a much more robust charge reaching the solenoid via the short, direct routing rather than the "via the known universe" OEM routing through the bike's convoluted wiring. While doing this mod, I took advantage of the opportunity to replace the 37-year old, antiquated and rather bizarre Magneti Marelli starter relay with a much more compact, modern 30AMP relay. I like retro, but not so much in electrical components. The starter response is very strong and consistent now. Highly recommended, thanks to Patrick Hayes. I intend to do the same to my SP this winter.
This final mod completes the makeover to the V50's starting circuit: New Domino starter/kill switch; new battery cables from Revival Cycles; new Valeo clone starter ($70 on fleabay, much stronger and 6 pounds lighter than the sluggish OEM Bosch); Anti-Gravity Lithium battery; improved relay function and routing. Between the battery and starter upgrades, about 13 pounds have been ditched. This, I think, is about as good as the starter system is going to get, a considerable leap forward over the OEM configuration.
