I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a set. I've seen the kits on several sites listed from 99-01 M900 & M750, but the Powerlet site says only 99 on WKT-004 kit. Anyone have any FHE on if this will work for 2000 750 dark? Thanks in advance
No FHE but I've been considering a kit for my 95 M900. It has a 2-phase charging system and the old ground route (battery -> frame and frame -> engine) so starting it can put a bit of a strain on the battery.
On the other side, my 2001 M750 (3-phase system) has the ground wire straight from the battery's negative to the engine and starts up just fine every time.
Aside from the 2-phase vs 3-phase system ( 2 or 3 yellow wires coming out of the left side engine cover), the electrical systems are mostly the same between the bikes. So I think the kit for one bike would work fine on the other one.
Question for you: do you have high-comp pistons? Don't want to push you back, but is there a reason you need the kit? I'm asking because if you're having problems starting the bike the cause might be in worn alternator wires or a malfunctioning regulator/rectifier.
If you just want to get the kit because you like to, then just ignore me and go ahead ;)
I'm hoping the kit will help start the bike easier. There are several threads on the board that sing the praises of upgrading the connections. My bike sits outside during the winter months and although the battery was charged just last week and ridden Friday and Saturday, the temp in the high 20's this morning proved too much for it to start. I'm hoping this will help.
If the bike sits out in the winter, the starter kit is unlikely to make a difference. The starter kit helps deliver more punch to your starter motor, it wont help if you have a dead battery. For example (I'm making up these numbers) if your stock system delivers 80% of the energy to the starter, the kit will provide 90%.
Your battery is getting killed by the weather, I would suggest buying a battery tender (even a small one) and keeping the battery indoors during the winter. A bike cover will also help preserve the bike better when it's cold/raining/snowing outside.
Cheers!
I can only share the experience I had putting the powerlet rewire kit on my 996. It provides more juice to the starter to help it start faster (less current draw to start it), so it does reduce a bit of hesitation on the starter's part some of us experience on the bigger bikes. I am not sure you will see much different on your 750 unless you are already experiencing some amount of hesitation.
it MAY help a little if your battery drains to the point where it almost can't start the bike by freeing up some of the current draw needed to start the bike.
The first mod I bought for my '99 750 was the Powerlet starter wire kit, the WKT-004, IIRC. The wire in the kit that goes from the battery to the solenoid was about an inch too short. I emailed Powerlet, they said they would send me a longer one right away. That was in the beginning of Sept and I still haven't received anything and they don't respond to my emails.
Thanks for the insights guys. The other morning it was 29 degrees and it just spun up, but never really caught. This evening it's 41 and it started fairly quickly :-\. I've got a cover I use if there's going to be an extended time I wouldn't ride and a battery tender that I use during those times. I was just wondering whether the wires would make it easier on the mornings we're on the cusp of riding weather.
Quote from: bdfinally on January 05, 2011, 02:06:57 PM
Thanks for the insights guys. The other morning it was 29 degrees and it just spun up, but never really caught. This evening it's 41 and it started fairly quickly :-\. I've got a cover I use if there's going to be an extended time I wouldn't ride and a battery tender that I use during those times. I was just wondering whether the wires would make it easier on the mornings we're on the cusp of riding weather.
The wires will aid in starting, How much? Dunno, but less voltage drop = faster starter motor speed.
That's what I'm thinking. Desmotimes handles it, so I'll shoot an email to LT and see what's what with the model years.
On carbie Ducati's, I upgrade the ground cable from engine/frame to battery to typically -2 or -4 flex. Overkill. You will notice the difference immediately with this one change. I upgrade the cable via relay to the starter as well with something larger diameter to get more juice there asap.
Even with a 984cc overbore 2-valve with hi-comp, FCR's, tweaked cams, etc -- engine is not remotely stock. Typically most carbie Ducati's turn a revolution or two (or more) before something happens. My DesmoDevil Ducati literally jump to life immediately within a moment of touching the starter button. (literally flick the start button and let go) Years ago with stock wiring it was 5+ seconds of cranking before it started to think about even wanting to start.
Most of the wires within the Ducati wiring harness are underspec without question. Ditto for ground wire to headlight. Ditto for cable powering lights. I (re)wire my own now, but you can rewire the headlights with a secondary relay kit to provide a lot more amperage which makes a big difference in lighting on the older Monsters.