Alert....Steve Ivey, from Buffalo, Kansas, was on his way down to Donie, Texas to have TSC/DMC do a bunch of work to his 1995 Honda Goldwing 1500 w/Champion Escort sidecar, when the bike died in McAlester, Oklahoma, due to what appears to be a bad alternator. Steve has arranged for a TOW....all the way to Donie, Texas, which is 280 miles away, and that is going to be an expensive tow bill, and will be arriving at TSC/DMC possibly a day late for his scheduled appointment, which "was" to have work started on his bike this morning, Monday, May 20th.
Steve also has his dog, Sam with him, and...Steve has some health issues, dealing with (I will politely leave that up to Steve, as health issues are private)
If there is anyone in the area, of Oklahoma, or northeast Texas, that can lend a hand, assist in any way, that would be very much appreciated.
EDIT: E-mailing with Steve as the morning progresses, and the latest word is that he could not get a tow to Donie, Texas, and...Kent Silk at TSC/DMC reminded Steve that they are sidecar mechanics, and not general motorcycle mechanics, so replacing an alternator on a Honda Goldwing 1500 is not something they can help with.
Frankly, it is not a small job, so Steve is going to have to find someone that is willing to replace that alternator, and...they will most likely insist that he remove the sidecar before they will replace the alternator.
Latest word from Steve is that he is going to see "IF" he can get a tow all the way back to Buffalo, Kansas, which is 225 miles.
This is quite the pickle for someone with health issues, trying to make the best of his life, with Sam thee dog in the sidecar.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
That is terrible news, I hope there is someone close enough to help. I sure wish I lived closer. sometimes the brushes stick and tapping on the alternator will shake the brushes loose and make it go back to charging. just a thought
@aceinsav, I agree, and will pass that tech tip on to Steve, via e-mail.
My initial thought when I got the first e-mail from Steve was....I am going to go pick him up with my trailer, and haul him home, but....I live almost 1,700 miles away from where he is broken down. The one issue with living in the Great Pacific North(wet) is that we have to go long distances to be of assistance to our fellow sidecarists that need help in middle America.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
What about using the E&F directory? Looks like there is a person in OK that can be contacted in emergency.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Scott, I have passed on to Steve the info on the one sidecarist in all of Oklahoma that offers emergency assistance....a gent named Cliff Grove.
I have earlier offered information to Steve about tapping on the alternator housing, and...buying a large spray can of WD-40 (I always carry a can of WD-40 with me), and to spray the heck out of the inside of the alternator....whilst rapping on the alternator housing, to the tune of God Save The Queen.
The primary issue is, Steve has a particular medical issue going on (his private business) that precludes his ability to walk to a store and buy some WD-40.
Tip for all the rest of you, always carry a can, or two, or WD-40 with you, in the boot of your sidecar (that is trunk, for you yanks)
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
What is that saying? Duct tape for things that move and shouldn't. WD40 for things that don't move and should.
Just looked at the E&F again, and sent you a message. There are a couple of guys in Arkansas only a couple of hours drive from Steve. Another one about 3 hours away. Hopefully one of them can jump in to assist Steve and Sidecar Willie.
Will keep our paws crossed.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Oh, NO..... Scott. You have confused sidecar owners and their sidecar dogs
Steve has the dog named Sam
Calvin have the dog named Wilton, or .. Sidecar Willie
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
I remember eating breakfast. Does that count? 🤣
Apologies to both sidecar canines for the mix up.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
If it is truly his battery, he can buy another battery and a charger - cheaper than that tow. Run the one until it's dead - swap out the other. Charge one at every stop.
Glad to hear he made it back home safe & sound.
Hay guys an Gals
Only just been able to log in and see this thread i could not get in on the road.
Yes home safe and sound the tow guy is an old harley rider who had rebuilt a couple of old Wings as well, so the right guy for the job.
So up until the breakdown i was having a blast and Sam was snuggled down.
Going through Muskogee you will never guess what i started singing =) So spent some time aquiring a tan pulling and checking fuses about thirty bikers went past not one stopped i guess i do remember the old days when everybody stopped it was part of the attraction. So anyway back home now wing is in its home i thought i will just check the battery and put it on charge before i call it quits at the end of a long day. Yes of course the wing started right up after charging! So a gentle day today investigating reasons which of course i want to find rather then a sticking plaster. I have found this to be a useful group
GoldWing DIY, Repairs, Manuals, and Maintenance for Everything GL
Anyway guys thanks again for all your help and of course Miles for leading the charge like he would
Not sure about the rally yet lets see how it goes
Walk with Joy
Steve Ives
Hey Steve. Just wondering what you're going to do for a replacement alternator? Hopefully the Goldwing guys here can chime in with recommendations?
After reading this thread I remembered the previous owner of my bike told me he put a compu-fire in. I just got this bike this spring. Anyway. I thought I wasn't going to have to worry about an alternator for a long time.
So I decided I wanted to see what a $500+ alternator looks like. Turns out just another thing the seller lied to me about. It's a DB Electronics, NOT a Compu-fire. There IS a difference. And it's leaking a little oil. From what I've read about the DB it does not have a good reputation.
What brands have you Goldwing guys had good luck with?
Hay Cal. After spending Tuesday doing nothing but resting i began checking out the battery etc this morning. Maybe a couple of poor connections relays involved and possibly the battery itself; wing started right up on a recharged battery. So it may not be the alternator after all. But i will not go for the cheap option its false economy. I think there is an upgraded version. So one step at a time, i HATE electrics!!
Walk with Joy
Steve Ives
Batteries are cheaper than alternators.
Measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the bike off first. Then turn it on and measure at the terminals.
If you get over 14v when it's running, chances are good that your alternator is ok. Flyin Monks might know what it should output normally. Somewhere between 14 and 15.8. The regulator keeps it from going higher. If it's higher than 16, that's another problem.
If you got less than 12.5 when you checked it while the bike was off, the battery is probably the culprit. Pull the battery out, charge it fully. Let it sit disconnected for 2-3 days. If it doesn't hold a charge, the battery is shot.
If the battery is 5 years old, it is probably starting to go.
