Norge charging issue

[Huzo]

My Norge (2007 2VPC), has developed a non charging issue. The belt is fairly new and ok.
Battery terminals are clean and good contact at both ends.
I cannot recall even after all these years if it has a warning light (other than the red triangle of death) that indicates an off line alternator.
If I charge the battery fully it will start and no warnings appear on the panel, but the battery that shows 12.2 V with engine off, reduces to 11.5 after start.
Just to check, I read the V85 battery and got 12.2, then started the bike and the reading across the terminals jumped to 14.3 V
Also I have a code that it threw. It’s U1016, which seems to be a generic type of indicator that probably narrows it down to 200 things…!
Interestingly, the bike runs great on a charged battery and no red triangle…

[fotoguzzi]

Isn’t the first thing they say, load test the battery? How old is it?

[Chuck in Indiana]

12.2 V with engine off, reduces to 11.5 after start.

Pretty easy to see the alternator isn't doing any alternating or the regulator/rectifier isn't doing it's thing. Maybe just a corroded connection? Naa you Shirley won't be that lucky. 

[Frenchfrog]

My first call would be on the battery Huzo...I'm guessing that the bike had one on when you shipped it over here so on that basis it stood for a fair while on multiple occasions  with no charge/discharge going on. maybe you didn't do that though....

[guzzisteve]

I have swapped out more than a few alt's. What you describe is no output. Get one. BUT it could be wiring also, check the plug & big red wire. It has lasted a long time, you may get it repaired also at a shop. Used ones go for around hundred bucks or less.
Sorry bout the page remark, I'm just off today but I fixed it. (attitude adj)
PIA having to pull tank & airbox.

[MLR]

Did you happen to check the fuses? Just a thought.

[Huzo]

Isn’t the first thing they say, load test the battery? How old is it?

New battery installed after France incident, 20 A/hr 3 months old.
Voltmeter shows no output.
As far as I know there is no dedicated fuse for the alternator.
Getting good at airbox removal, 20 minutes to get to alternator. Not hard.

First thing I think is check plug on the back then off with it and down to auto elec.

[Huzo]

I have swapped out more than a few alt's. What you describe is no output. Get one. BUT it could be wiring also, check the plug & big red wire. It has lasted a long time, you may get it repaired also at a shop. Used ones go for around hundred bucks or less.
Sorry bout the page remark, I'm just off today but I fixed it. (attitude adj)
PIA having to pull tank & airbox.

Page remark ? 
Is the alternator relatively generic ?

[guzzisteve]

Yes, I answered with something about 5 pages of talking about it first. THEN I went to the shop for the adj.
Not too generic but seem readily available in used parts, there are 3 different mfg's that made them for Guzzi.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132406723538?hash=item1ed40e43d2:g:6b8AAOSwgTxjCNtH&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwHQlpm%2Ba3xcmoNMS%2BPp3zq5%2BhbWUMYKz%2Bj7SJgICFV8BHnzXeLnj1D3rtwAEvCV7%2B3I%2BX7indrBhmZq0ZTs3EbbG0nyU19EXk2vY%2BUF2%2FAasnlEBuAIjEz1XtwAa%2FNXcOFFfnWlQZGdSo%2FCeJ5oJOGB5YZBJE3Z6EUioStkH%2B5nSv0DquZW70A4PwnWkqevO4zAcZC3%2FL%2FlVc8pu3I9BgTNysz1cITU9AJBLiPxHT0EFYVrOgUUQwhxooVV5oWNl8A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6K4pLLWYQ

[Huzo]

Page remark ? 
Is the alternator relatively generic ?

Ahhh ok.

[guzzisteve]

 It's  $188.10 New in USA but they have none.

OUCH--------------

https://tlm.nl/moto-guzzi-triumph/886255-dynamo-california-1400-norge-8v-stelvio

[Frenchfrog]

Don't assume because you fitted a new battery recently that it is not at fault. They need to be fully charged prior to being put into service or their life will de really curtailed.There has to be a garage near  where you could do a load test on it and make sure it's not at fault.

[Mackers]

When I had a charging issue with my Breva 1100, it turned out to be a faulty 30amp fuse.

[moto-uno]

  To rule out the battery ( which I doubt it is ) disconnect the battery that's in it , attach another working battery from another bike (car , lawn tractor , etc ) that can
start the bike and watch for the voltage to climb up to or over 14 V . If that doesn't happen , it's in the alternator assembly , sticking
brushes , bad rectifier or regulator . An auto electric shop could probably isolate and repair it .  Peter

[Huzo]

  To rule out the battery ( which I doubt it is ) disconnect the battery that's in it , attach another working battery from another bike (car , lawn tractor , etc ) that can
start the bike and watch for the voltage to climb up to or over 14 V . If that doesn't happen , it's in the alternator assembly , sticking
brushes , bad rectifier or regulator . An auto electric shop could probably isolate and repair it .  Peter

Yep, done that.
Zero alternator output.
I’ll be taking the airbox out tomorrow, Pete Roper is sending me another stepper so I’ll be inspecting the plug on the alternator while I’m there.
I still think there’s an air leak driving the revs up at idle.

[John A]

You could full field it. Apply 12 volts to the field terminal and it will put out all it can. If it does, the problem is with the regulator. If not, it’s a kaput alternator
Another test is with engine off, turn key on ,if the alternator gets magnetic like a screwdriver blade will be attracted to it, the regulator is supplying field voltage

[Huzo]

You could full field it. Apply 12 volts to the field terminal and it will put out all it can. If it does, the problem is with the regulator. If not, it’s a kaput alternator
Another test is with engine off, turn key on ,if the alternator gets magnetic like a screwdriver blade will be attracted to it, the regulator is supplying field voltage

I didn’t know that could be done John.
There is an auto electrician here that has a very good reputation over many years.
If I just drop it in his lap, he will give me the verdict quite quickly and what can be done. I’ll have it out today.

[Huzo]

Problem solved…
Seems when I had the little on board fire with my Norge in France, the in line electrical plug in the line from the alternator to the battery copped some buggery.




Resulted in the charge current from the alternator, not reaching the battery, all good now…

[tazio]

Excellent 
I'm sure I've missed it, but did the Norge (AKA "Mileage Methuselah") ever receive new clutch plates over the years?

[Huzo]

Excellent 
I'm sure I've missed it, but did the Norge (AKA "Mileage Methuselah") ever receive new clutch plates over the years?

No, the clutch has never been out.
Heads never been off.
Original fork seals.
Original front rotors.

[guzzisteve]

I knew you would find something once opened up, a fried plug would do it. Well done, not bad for the mileage.

[Huzo]

I knew you would find something once opened up, a fried plug would do it. Well done, not bad for the mileage.

Thanks for your interest guys.

[Frenchfrog]

Good result !

[Huzo]

Good result !

Yes mate.
I will never forget the relief I had when your e mail came through while in Millau.
There was a dead Norge outside my tent in the rain and I had no idea what to do, you said you’d come to  get me and take me home to your place.
Marvellous.

[Frenchfrog]

Marvelous feeling when help comes just when you need it !Been stuck there myself a few times ,sometimes left totally to my own devices ,sometimes with the help of a kind and helpful soul. I'm sure you have those experiences  too and that is precisely why we would go the full 9 yards to help.It's always good to be of assistance  and to be thanked only makes it better AFAIC.
Funny that neither of us thought that this new problem would have been caused by the previous one as it's staring in our faces really !!

[tazio]

No, the clutch has never been out.
Heads never been off.
Original fork seals.
Original front rotors.

Amazing, and an example of a well oiled machine!
I ride in a "spirited" manner using bike as intended.
No abuse of clutch here, hope to receive service life as you have!
Hats off to your maintenance and care of the Norge!

[Huzo]

Amazing, and an example of a well oiled machine!
I ride in a "spirited" manner using bike as intended.
No abuse of clutch here, hope to receive service life as you have!
Hats off to your maintenance and care of the Norge!

Funny thing is, I don’t really do that much in particular.
Just ALL fluids every 10,000 and full service every 20,000.
When I move off from stationary, I just allow the clutch to fully engage before rolling on significant power which probably contributes to longer life. I guess that having done 5 Europes on it @ 15-20 thousand kilometres each time, that’s half it’s life at touring duties.
Probably fairly kind type of use.
Oh…Then there’s the multiple laps of Australia as well.
It all pales by comparison, when you consider what Daniel Kalal did on his California.

[Huzo]

Here’s another shot of the carnage.





Also to think I was riding with it like that from Auvergne in France, 300 kilometres up to Paris then across to Calais.
Dover to London and some inner city excursions there, before riding to the depot at Heathrow…!
It could have manifested anywhere there..!
She waited ‘till she got home before giving up.
I just love this bike to bits.

When I get tired of it then I’ll get a V100, pay Chad his AUD 10,000 and go for a ride.
 But excuse me for now, I have a date with 300,000 km on my odometer that I want to get to, so must dash…

‘Bye…

[PJPR01]

Phenomenal...nice to see an easy culprit there...

[John A]

You’ve got it trained to break down near home!