Hi all, new guy here

I bought my first big bike last night, an NC23 i absolutely love her and she's a very quick bike. I was intending to introduce myself with a few nice pics of my new baby but unfortunately this isn't the case.

I gave her a damn good wash and polish this afternoon ready for some pics (never actually got round to the pics), and took her out for a spin first but when i started her (bump start, battery is pretty weak from flooding her last night and killing it being on the button too long, also i think the reg/rec may be on it's way out as after 100 miles of riding the battery still wasn't charged) she was having trouble idling then got about a mile down the road where i stopped at a junction and it cut out, i very quickly got off the road and bumped it and she came back to life, then a few hundred yards down the road it cut out again and wouldn't even hint at starting.

So after a long push i got to my uncles work where we started diagnosing, the ignition fuse had blown and read on here that people have had trouble with it being dodgy connections to the fuel pump so whilst we were checking that there was a burning smell and i spotted smoke coming from the rear seat which turned out to be the CDI which is melted inside

Now the bike was running like a dream until i washed it so i'm assuming that i got water into where it shouldn't be and overloaded the connections to the CDI or something along those lines, my question is would i be right in assuming this? As i don't want to go and spend £50 on a new one for it to do the same as i'm skint from buying the bike.

Thanks for taking the time to read this for those of you that could be bothered to read my essay



Edit: I should also add the bike has been sat for a year or so previous to me buying it.

Lucky Tampon wrote:i'm assuming that i got water into where it shouldn't be and overloaded the connections to the CDI or something along those lines, my question is would i be right in assuming this? As i don't want to go and spend £50 on a new one for it to do the same as i'm skint from buying the bike.

Sounds to me like your reg/rec is stuffed and it was overcharging the battery and electrical system. My duff reg/rec caused a melted a cdi on my bike, the only way I knew was seeing smoke like you did, not a nice sight!

Chances are you'll need a new reg/rec, get a 1999-2005 yam R6 one - much more efficient than honda units. Check the reg/rec plug (remove it), there are often signs of damage to the connector. You'll probably also need a new battery and to check all of the wiring over for any signs of damage.

There are plenty of electrical checks you can do to verify which components have failed (outlined in the haynes manual), but these sorts of problems are so common in older hondas that until you're using a good reg/rec and have a healthy electrical system it's just a matter of time before these problems occur.

Plenty of good info on how to sort this if you try a search.

lol @ your username.

It's a hard way to learn, but if these little bikes are not charging properly, then they are a liability waiting to melt something.

If anyone else reads this and knows their bike is overcharging, hopefully they can learn from your mistake.

What happens is: regulator dies, and charges high. It will usually charge at about 19v. This is enough to melt your CDI, all the bulbs on your bike, various bits of wire, etc. etc. Thing is, the bike will usually give you warning (haywire rev counter and blowing dashboard bulbs) and if you recognise the signs, you unplug the regulator, ride home and get it fixed - or you end up with a fucked bike

Thanks for the info guys, you've been a massive help

Ordered myself an R6 regulator and a new CDI so hopefully she should be up and running by the weekend Although this little fiasco has cost me £100 in total i feel it's not all been bad as i've learnt a LOT about the CBR400 as a result of many hours googling in an attempt to find my problem, also been stalking this forum a hell of a lot, some very useful threads here which have answered a lot of my questions.

Again, many thanks! I owe you one