So we have had our TR 650 for about 6 months now and that is a lot of time to tear the bike apart and really tinker with it. One of the first things we noticed was a couple of easy improvements that could be made to the voltage regulator and the surrounding mess of wires exposed. So we thought we could share the step by step process we took to cleaning the whole thing up. Let us know if you like this and you end up copying the process on your own bike. Factory Look: There isn’t much wrong with the factory location, setup, and look of the voltage regulator and guard, but we just didn’t like it. We thought it was a little messy with the wiring and that that our guard would provide much better protection in the long run. What you need for this little project: AltRider Voltage Regulator Guard (made in USA) Electrical Tape (black) Zip ties (black Step 1: Removing OEM Guard and Replacing w/ AltRider Voltage Regulator Guard – Simply remove the OEM plastic voltage regulator guard and (2) screws using a Torx driver. Remove the two OEM Torx screws holding the voltage regulator in place and following the instructions provided with your AltRider voltage regulator guard, install with the include Torx screws to fill in the old holes formerly used by the OEM guard. Step 2: Unclip and remove oem wire mounts attached to OEM bracket Using a flat head screw driver and a pair of pliers simple remove the wire connection mounts from the OEM bracket. Start by using the screw driver to engage the release of the closest wire connection and slid it off of the mount. Then use the pliers to pinch the next mount and pull it away from the bracket. Next twist the first wire mount with the pliers so you can also pull it away from the bracket.
Step 3: Taping a rearranging wires Now you can tape over any exposed wire or exposed wire leading up to a connection with your black electrical tape. You can also tape together any wire close together to get them consolidated. One you have covered the exposed wire in electrical tape, gently bunch square connector that you just un-mounted from the bracket and reposition them underneath and behind the bracket. Next run a zip tie around this and through the hole in the bracket to secure it in place. Next work on bunching together the remaining wires and rounded connector and zip tie them together. Do not go too tight; just get them snug so that nothing will move around. Step 4: Install AltRider voltage Regulator Guard Now following the instructions provided with your new Voltage Regulator Guard, install it and you are done. You can see by the picture just how much cleaner this is than the original setup. If you have any questions just ask. Enjoy!
This product comes in anodized silver or black. The louvers aka fins actually promote better airflow because they direct the air at the voltage regulator. With no guard that air just flows past it. It is not available in RED but I will see if this is possible.
Thank you very much for posting this step by step, sure makes a big difference to the look of the bike in an area of the bike that I had being trying to get my head around how to address neatly and still be effective. I will be ordering my black cover and also master cylinder and rear brake fluid reservoir cover as a set. Thanks AltRider!
Got any thermal imaging to substantiate that claim? Conversely Altrider claim that it promotes better air flow onto the regulator, rather than it flowing past it. Some thermal imaging or temperature monitoring of the two set ups under the same conditions would prove or disprove either I think the black guard would look better than the silver, but that's just me
Hmmmmmm....I just happen to work for a CCTV company and am apart of our thermal imaging division. Not very likely they will let me take a $20K camera home...but I know there are a few on the roof that we are using to test out some thermography with.
Not necessarily. In this case, it isn't about "holding heat" versus "releasing heat." It is about forcing air over the heatsinks. The orientation of the regulator is sideways, and probably well within the buffeting zone. That said, it probably isn't getting a whole lot of air flow. A simple air scoop like AltRider has on their guard will redirect air onto the heat sinks, forcing a rapid flow at speed, and resulting in more efficient cooling. The easiest way to test this would be with an IR thermometer...which I have. I just don't have the AltRider guard to run the comparison.
Well, I am not a good enough rider to keep my bike at 30 mph all the time. Those factory designed fins probably were left exposed because they look cool.
Good point Thumpa, I will take a look at the horn as well when I fit the Altrider parts tomorrow. Great service from our local Aussie Altrider supplier adventuremoto.com.au , parts only took a couple of days to arrive.
