[mark edward marchiafava]

Has anyone posted about the voltage regulator being in the way of the oil filter?

 

[Infinite_Day]

The regulator is easy enough to un-bolt to get it out of the way during the change. Didn't cause me any problems. I believe some brands of filter may be a bit too long to use because they hit the back of the regulator.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

Since the voltage regulator crowded the new Drifter fender I put on the wife's 900, I went ahead and re-located it to the left side of the bike with the purchase of 1 longer bolt and a spacer. Problem solved forever. I don't understand why Kaw put it where they did, makes absolutely no sense. Pics to follow.

 

[SpinDog]

Moving the regulator off the filter is pretty easy. Getting the filter out for the first time can be a bear without a good metal cap wrench. Not sure why the regulator is put there but it may be because that spot sees a lot of air movement and the regulator likes to be cooled. It also blocks debris that’s thrown off of the tire from impacting the filter.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

by installing the Drifter fender, blocking debris is a moot point. I might just come back and make a more recessed cover for the oil filter which will clear the fender, maybe not

 

[bosco]

Since the voltage regulator crowded the new Drifter fender I put on the wife's 900, I went ahead and re-located it to the left side of the bike with the purchase of 1 longer bolt and a spacer. Problem solved forever. I don't understand why Kaw put it where they did, makes absolutely no sense. Pics to follow.

I believe it's placement is based on cooling. They will run hot.

 

[shacrawhi34]

if you hate moving everytime, you can do like i did. i put (2) 1/4" thick collar spacers on each bolt behind the bracket and longer bolts w/nuts. now i never have to remove it when i change the filter. it gives it just enough room to get the filter in and out. i'll post a pic if needed.

 

[shacrawhi34]

here is a pic of what i am talking about.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

Since the Drifter fender needs that space, I did basically the same thing, but I moved it to the left. Let me go down and take a pic, be right back.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

voltage regulator out of the way now !

moved the voltage regulator between the shifter and the frame.
End of problem. Forever.

 

[Chupa]

Now it'll burn up.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

what facts do you base that statement on?

 

[Chupa]

Previous experience.

 

[Romans5.8]

Since the voltage regulator crowded the new Drifter fender I put on the wife's 900, I went ahead and re-located it to the left side of the bike with the purchase of 1 longer bolt and a spacer. Problem solved forever. I don't understand why Kaw put it where they did, makes absolutely no sense. Pics to follow.

They put it there due to heat, as others have mentioned. Other Kawasaki Vulcan models (the 750, specifically) have had tremendous issues with overheating reg/rect units causing failures, killing batteries; even catching fire. The Vulcan 900 and others now have the Reg/Rect located in the front of the bike where it gets plenty of cooling airflow.

One of it's jobs is to take excess electricity and dump it to ground. The stator/rotor system produces 100% power 100% of the time (give or take for RPM's). So all that extra juice has to go somewhere! That thing will get hot dumping all of that excess electricity. That energy has to go somewhere, so it leaves in the form of heat and lots of it!

 

[Chupa]

Yeppers! My VN750 was an elctrical nightmare. Had to keep a spare regulator with me.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

Guess I'll just take the cover off, since it's not in danger of being struck by road debris, may even make an air deflector to force air onto it. That should provide sufficient air flow.

 

[Romans5.8]

Guess I'll just take the cover off, since it's not in danger of being struck by road debris, may even make an air deflector to force air onto it. That should provide sufficient air flow.

Do you have a meter with a temp probe? Or better yet an IR or laser temp gun? One thing you might try is to go for a ride (noting what accessories are on, lights, brights or not, etc., to keep things consistent)., read the temp in several situations and note them at your current mount, and then try and re-create those mounted in the stock location and see if it's operating warmer.

 

[Chupa]

Good idea. I'd hate to hear you have a bunch of problems just because of the inconvienence of 4 bolts.

 

[Romans5.8]

Good idea. I'd hate to hear you have a bunch of problems just because of the inconvienence of 4 bolts.

Doesn't even need to be 4 bolts! If I recall correctly, even the service manual just says to remove the one side and turn the reg/rect unit to expose the oil filter. Just takes a couple seconds. I don't take it off, I just swivel it out of the way by taking off the cover and then the bolt on one side.

 

[mark edward marchiafava]

I know I"m different than most everyone else, go through life always thinking and looking to improve everything.