Hi all, new TA, a few questions

[V2T]

Hi all, great forum - I have had my '57 Reg TA for 6-ish weeks now, and am suitably impressed! Having sold my 1800cc cruiser to buy the TA, it's nice to have a bike which doesn't weigh nearly 400kg, can corner, and has a 200+ mile range tank instead of a 90 mile one!

I do have a few concerns, so maybe some kind soul can chip in:

1) welding is awful! is everyone's like this?

2) my bike seems to whine quite a lot on deceleration, like a syncromesh noise - is this common?

3) Lights are not switchable, but come on as soon as ignitionn is turned on -apparently this is a new US style EU regulation; fair enough, but having had a flat battery once already, and having had to jumpstart the beast, it would be nice to have the option to temporarily disable lights when starting and just prior to shutting engine down, and also for um... covert ops in the new Forest - even a push to break while starting would be fine - anyone done this?

4a) Does anyone know where there is an easy to get to switched live for installing all my accessories, or do I get the wiring diagram out?

4) In common with many others, I keep looking for a 6th gear - I would like to change the front sprocket, but if I do so does this invalidate my warranty?

Many thanks for any answers!

[Steve T]

Hi V2T.

Can help with only one of the questions - Lights permanantly on. This is not a legal requirement in this country, it's just something the manufacturers (all the big ones) decided to "give " to us buyers as a freebie. It's got to be possible to hack into the wiring and fit a switch, but as i have a really old TA with normal switches, i haven't got a clue where you'd start hacking safely (thought the feed to the headlight would be my target).
Could invalidate your warranty - but see how pleased your dealer is everytime you go to them for a new battery that you'll claim off of warranty. They may even put a switch in there for you

Na, pigs will fly before that happens.

Just my ramblings - moving on - see ya

[the_earlobe_of_doom]

I presume you're talking about the XL700 here. If you are, here's my answers to your questions for what they're worth

1. Haven't noticed the welding is that bad, or at least worse than any other modern Honda I've had

2. Mine doesn't, though I've noticed the exhaust can pop in a most pleasing manner. I had a Deauville 700 before this, which had the same engine, that whined on deceleration. I haven't noticed anything abnormal from the XL engine though

3. I can't remember the last time I had a bike that you could turn the lights off on. Probably the R850R I got rid of in 2001. Now, from what I've been told, if you did put a switch in the system, you'd end up frying your generators, as its built with the draw of the lights being permanently on in mind. Perhaps someone with more electrical knowhow might be better placed to comment though.

4. Do Honda do an accessory socket?

5. I always look for a sixth gear at first. This seems to be a common complaint regarding this bike, but to me so far its doesn't seem any different from normal

[fish]

Question 2 might be a too tight chain.
I find I get whirrring sound if I dont have the chain on the loose side.
But not too loose obviously.

[Noah]

Honda do a socket which goes under the seat although it looks like it will not fit the ABS version see HONDA MC - XL700V Transalp Accessories
Get my new 700 on Monday so watch out it will probably rain, snow etc it usually does !! ( hence the nickname Noah !! )

[the_earlobe_of_doom]

Honda do a socket which goes under the seat although it looks like it will not fit the ABS version see HONDA MC - XL700V Transalp Accessories

They're all ABS as far as I know

[Recycler]

4a) I used the one of the brake light cables. Not electrickery minded myself but it's definately 'switched' and powers my Autocom nicely.

[V2T]

Thanks for your replies.

Earlobe, I have the 650 - regarding frying the alternator, will the alternator suffer if you just switch out the lights for starting?

Thanks

V2T

[the_earlobe_of_doom]

Thanks for your replies.

Earlobe, I have the 650 - regarding frying the alternator, will the alternator suffer if you just switch out the lights for starting?

Thanks

V2T

The lights going out when starting anyway. There's something in the circuit that does this I think. It seems to be a common thing on bikes that have the lights on all the time

[Lutin]

The lights going out when you start the engine is probably due to the enormous current drain taken by the starter motor.

With the very high current drain on the battery, the voltage drops which is seen as the lights dimming dramatically.