Motorcycle electrical system is a set of devices that either produce electricity or are powered by it. Additional components are also required to ensure flawless operation of the equipment and electrical power transmission: wires, buttons, relays and others.

Main motorcycle electrical system components.

• Starter. It makes the crankshaft rotate to start the engine. It is an electric motor that operates by transmitting power to the rotor windings.
• Battery. Most bikes are equipped with starter batteries. They differ in capacity, voltage and size. The most common are lead-acid and gel products.
• Alternator. When the engine is running, it powers all the devices and charges the battery.
• Lighting. It includes such motorcycle electrical system components:
  • Headlamp. It is used to light the roads at night-time.
  • Direction indicators. With them, you can inform other road users about your intention to perform a manoeuvre.
  • Marker and parking lights. They make the vehicle more conspicuous on the road.
  • Brake lights. They warn the road users behind the bike that it is going to stop.
  • Fog lamp. A fog lamp is used in poor visibility conditions.
  • Registration plate lamp. Allows seeing the registration plate of a motorcycle even if it is dark.
• Horn. It allows to attract attention to the vehicle and prevent an accident.
• Sensors. They measure various bike parameters and transmit the readings to the engine control unit. It uses the information to control the function of the main units. Besides, the readings from some sensors are displayed on the instrument panel to inform the rider about possible malfunctions or that the motorcycle requires servicing.

Malfunctions: their causes and symptoms

• Thermal damage to the motorcycle electrical system components. It is a result of a short circuit in the network. Due to it, all devices or some of them fail. For example, lamps won’t switch on.
• Mechanical damage to contacts. Most often, this happens when the bike falls. The electrical equipment powered by the damaged wires doesn’t work. If battery terminals are deteriorated, sparks might appear.
• Contact oxidation. As a result, electrical devices fail to switch on or to operate properly. Oxidation is caused by moisture from the road getting inside the assembly.

Tips on how to maintain and replace motorcycle electrical system components

• Most electrical components do not have a defined service life and they have to be replaced when they fail.
• If a bike hasn’t been used for a long time, it is necessary to measure its battery voltage and to charge it if needed. If the voltage is lower than the amount specified by the motorcycle manufacturer, the battery has to be replaced.
• It is recommended to occasionally make sure that the battery terminals are secured and tighten them if necessary.
• Special chemicals should be used to clean the contacts. All actions should comply with the instructions of the manufacturer of the motorcycle.
• If a starter or alternator stops working, don’t replace it at once. Sometimes the malfunction can be fixed with a repair kit. The set for a starter can include carbon brushes and brackets for them, a shaft sleeve, commutator bearing, armature, starter solenoid. It is also possible to replace such parts of an alternator as a regulator, fan, rectifier, brushes, bearings, rotor, terminals, mounts.

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