{"id":10744,"date":"2026-03-21T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/?p=10744"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:04:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T13:04:40","slug":"new-alternator-and-ignition-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/new-alternator-and-ignition-system\/","title":{"rendered":"New alternator and ignition system!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"10744\" class=\"elementor elementor-10744\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-136da1d7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"136da1d7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44920443 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44920443\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p>Big day working on the bike at George\u2019s shop\u2014no doubt one of the last I\u2019ll have. Got the truck and trailer last night when the rain stopped. Loaded the bike first thing, took my wife to work (probably got some looks driving up in a giant truck with a motorcycle on a trailer behind it), drove to the shop, unloaded the bike, cut my leg bad on the trailer\u2019s light fixture thingie, put the bike on George\u2019s lift and we got started right away. I had to leave no later than 3 PM to make sure I could pick her up from work.<\/p>\n\n<p>Installing the new alternator was surprisingly easy and we got it right on the first try. I\u2019m as stunned as anybody. Disconnect battery. Remove front wheel and fender\u2014not necessary, but made things easier and for better photos. Remove front cover. Lots of oil-based grime in there indicated a leaky front main seal. George was unsure if he had a new one\u2014that would have stopped us cold. He did, and it turned out EME included one in the alternator kit anyway, we just couldn\u2019t see it because we didn\u2019t bother to turn the stinking bag over. (Idiots!) Old alternator was in poor condition but obviously still functional. It came off easy\u2014a couple of hammer taps on the removal \u201ctool\u201d (a bolt) (also included) and a few turns of the bolt and boom! Not at all like the knuckleheads on YouTube I\u2019ve seen go after the alternator with a hammer like it welched on a bet. Used my shiny new seal puller and the leaky seal came right out. George suggested I let him install the new seal since he didn\u2019t have a 100% correct tool to do it. I graciously acceded to his request<\/p>\n\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><div id=\"metaslider-id-10745\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-109-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-10745 ml-slider has-dots-nav ms-theme-default-base\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Alternator &amp; Ignition for R 90\/6\" data-height=\"700\" data-width=\"700\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_10745\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_10745\">\n            <ul aria-live='off' class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10758 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:44\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt1-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt1-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10758 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt1\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt1-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10758 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt1\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The stock alternator and parts of the ignition system, original from October 1975, when the bike was built.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10759 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt2-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt2-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10759 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt2\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt2-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10759 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt2\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The original alternator with its cover removed.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10760 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt3-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt3-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10760 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt3\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt3-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10760 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt3\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>At bottom, a major component of the original ignition system\u2014the points.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10761 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"was_r90_alt4-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/was_r90_alt4-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10761 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"was_r90_alt4\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/was_r90_alt4-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10761 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"was_r90_alt4\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Front main seal\u2014possibly original, but definitely old.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10762 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt5-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt5-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10762 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt5\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt5-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10762 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt5\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Seal removed, area cleaned.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10763 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt6-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt6-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10763 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt6\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt6-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10763 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt6\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>New seal securely in place.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10764 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt7-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt7-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10764 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt7\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt7-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10764 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt7\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The new alternator from EME.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10765 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:45\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_alt8_starter-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt8_starter-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10765 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt8_starter\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_alt8_starter-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10765 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_alt8_starter\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>EME&#8217;s starter, which I installed when I first got the bike.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10766 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:46\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_ign1-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign1-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10766 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign1\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign1-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10766 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign1\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>George poring over the instructions for installing the electronic ignition system.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10767 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:46\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_ign2-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign2-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10767 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign2\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign2-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10767 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign2\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>Mount point for the coil.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10768 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:46\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_ign3-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign3-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10768 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign3\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign3-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10768 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign3\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The red light helps with timing the new ignition system before you can turn the bike on.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-10769 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2026-03-12 08:57:46\" data-filename=\"wes_r90_ign4-700x700.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign4-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10769 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign4\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/wes_r90_ign4-700x700.jpg\" height=\"700\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-10745 slide-10769 msDefaultImage lazyload\" title=\"wes_r90_ign4\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"caption-wrap\"><div class=\"caption\"><div>The spark plugs that were in the bike were definitely tired!<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<p>Took some time and effort to figure out how to properly mount all the various other things and rout the wires, but we got it. The starter cover had to come off as well. Installing the electronic ignition system was a little tricky, but what ended up working was me reading the instructions out loud with George following along step by step. We had to jury-rig the install of the ICU (ignition control unit) a little with Velcro and zip ties, but it\u2019ll be fine where it is under the tank. I have to say EME&#8217;s included instructions for everything were spot on and super handy\u2014I&#8217;m going to be sure to keep the booklets in case I ever need to troubleshoot anything we put on today.<\/p>\n\n<p>Took the wheel, fender and fork lowers off to make for easier access and better photos. We\u2019ll finish the fork seal replacement tomorrow, reassemble it all and I\u2019ll give it a test ride to warm up the engine and transmission for a full service.<\/p>\n\n<p>I\u2019m concerned for the rear main seal and the trans input and output shaft seals. They are also 50 years old like the front main seal was, the one we replaced. But I&#8217;m maybe a little too eager to get to riding the bike\u2014it&#8217;s March already, and the end of March at that, and I&#8217;ve hardly done any riding because of cold, weather, family obligations, etc. etc. Frustrating but I&#8217;m trying to zen it out, remind myself that it&#8217;s all going to be OK in the long run and there will be plenty of time to ride this year.<\/p>\n\n<p>Exciting to have success on this install, especially since we did it all at once, which is usually dangerous. Having George to lead made all the difference.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big day working on the bike at George\u2019s shop\u2014no doubt one of the last I\u2019ll have. Installing the new alternator was surprisingly easy and we got it right on the first try. I\u2019m as stunned as anybody.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10756,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-riding-without-cruise-control"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10744"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10773,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10744\/revisions\/10773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmwmoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}