Power valve problems

[andyham]

It seems that what ever i do the power valve on my AR just dosnt want to work properly, I have checked the cables stripped the valve and cleaned, the motor is fine and so is the pot, the valve works when it feels like it but is more likley to work when the bike is hot, all through the summer once the bike was up to temperature with the valve not working all i had to do was stop and start the engine and it would then work fine for the rest of the run. But now the weither has turned cold if i am out on the bike it has the same problem but if i do some fast road work the bike seems to cool in the wind and the valve stops, even if i stop and start it again it wont work, but if i stop for a few mins then it may work.
I feel that the bike may be getting cold on these runs and this somehow causes the problem.
Does the bike have a thermostat? i stripped the top end and didnt find one
Has anybody had the same problem i need some help?

[SkidMark]

andyham, I feel your pain - I had almost identical symptons although mine did not seem to be temperature related. My PV would not work when I first started but if I stopped the bike then started it again (even immediatley) then the PV would start working. Over time though it got worse and worse. I am afraid that the cure was a new CDI... . In fact I got so fed up with messing with it that I got another Servo Unit & CDI (second hand) and Reg/Rect (aftermarket). I fitted them all at the same time (I know, I know you are meant to change one thing at a time so you know what was the faulty component - but that is how fed up I was, I just want the thing working again. One day I will change them back one at a time just so I know but at the moment I just want to ride it!)
From what you have listed that you checked I am guessing that you have found the PV fault finding guide written by Scrubs? If not have a look through that for anything you may have missed.

According to the wiring diagrams there is a temp sensor - but where it is located pysically I don't know without looking at my bike. You have a small light in the top left hand corner of your speedo that is a temp warning. I am thinking you have an AR too?
The writing is blue because my 3yr daughter is sat on my lap and asked very nicely it the writing could be blue!

[fallenmikethebike]

Sensor is on the head , look behind the A/R valve plate. You say you have cleaned the valve, have you completely stripped the whole valve assembly ? i think to really get it clean it's a cylinder off job , which could be coincided with a top end rebuild , i know it's a complete pain , but i did mine earlier this year , and it's been worth the scraped knuckles.
It's normally a problem losing heat from CRMs as opposed to getting them hot enough, IMO.
Take the the cables of the pulley wheel and physically feel for the pull on them ,when the engine is still cold , that may throw some light on the subject.
Regards Mike

[andyham]

Thanks for the feed back, i did strip the top end so i know the valve is ok, i theink its going to be a problem with the CDI but i havent checked the regulator rectifer, i will try that as soon as i can but it may be breaking down when it gets hot, where do i get an aftermaket regulator and anybody have an idea about the CDI, cost and is it possible to get one second hand for a CRM?
Regards Andrew

[SkidMark]

Thanks for the feed back, i did strip the top end so i know the valve is ok, i theink its going to be a problem with the CDI but i havent checked the regulator rectifer, i will try that as soon as i can but it may be breaking down when it gets hot, where do i get an aftermaket regulator and anybody have an idea about the CDI, cost and is it possible to get one second hand for a CRM?
Regards Andrew

Aftermarket reg/rect avlaible from Electrex World http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/ you want the RR125. Be warned though, although Electrex say it is for all CRM250's it is not a quick swap when installing on an AR. The unit is pysically larger and when I installed it in the stock location it hit the shock spring. I relocated mine to the rear fender. Scrubs however says he installed his with no issues in the stock location.... Also the connectors supplied on the unit do not match what is on the bike and the wires are not the correct length. Therefore you will need to remove the connectors from the old unit, lengthen the wires and install the connectors. Also electrex's aftersales service is non-existent. I'm not saying don't buy it but just warning you that it is not a direct swap.

Where to get a CDI:
- Luck out and find one secondhand - fairly unlikely (but thats how I got mine)
- Rinkya
- David Silver Spares - about £345 (I think)

[andyham]

sorry the post is in the wrong place,
is that the cheapest place to find the CDI?
can a diferent powervalve controler be used, has anybody done this?

[knackeredMk1]

Rinkya/eBay, David Silver/Lings, Leisure Trail in increasing price order.

There are other pv controllers around, Stickman uses one. But I don't think there are any for the AR due to the complicated ignition system involved.

[Stickman]

Before you go down the CDI route you need to be sure its not the reg/rect.

I've got a problem on mine where the engine/electrics work fine from cold, but after a few minutes of high speed use the headlight dims to half brightness. This can cause the PV to misbehave because there is insufficient poer to move it.

When I turn the engine off and re-start and it's fine again for a few minutes.

I've changed the reg/rec on mine, and the stator and flywheel and it seemed ok for a bit but after a few hundred miles it started playing silly again. I've tried all sorts of things but have still to get to the bottom of it. All I can suspect is that I am damaging reg/rects by overloading the system (have a rad fan fitted for use in summer) or that the only thing I haven't changed - the large capacitor - may be at fault.

Anyway try your AR - check the headlight brightness with the PV working and then try again when it has stopped. If the headlight is dimmer (or connect a voltmeter ;-) then you have another electrical gremlin but at least your CDI is ok!

[andyham]

thanks for the feedback, i was going to change the reguator when i changed the CDI so i will try it first as i havent found a replacment CDI yet, you have a strange problem on yours, it would be odd for a capacitor to break down and then restore itself like that.

[Active Rascal]

Hi guys, sorry to drag up an old thread, but did you ever get to the root of your PV probem Andy??

Knackered (or anyone).... do you have any more info for David Lings?

Cheers.

[knackeredMk1]

No more info about Lings. They have the part, according to the website, for delivery inside 3 days. But I've had this before and when you order they say 'due in on a certain day' a few weeks away. Usually the part arrives much faster though.

[Active Rascal]

Interesting, .......you got a link? and do they do rectifiers? Sorry for all questions.

[knackeredMk1]

http://www.lings.com/lingscentralapp_co ... a2deede08d

It's in 'FAQ - Check here first' .

[Active Rascal]

Sorry, and thanks.

[knackeredMk1]