Was reading Dai's recent post. I am going through something similar. Replaced the headset bearings. Went to pull it off the stand and happened to look at the sight window and the oil was over the window. Ok was about time for an oil change anyway. Fuel had poured in the oil. Found an injector stuck open. Pulled the injectors Cleaned them all, reinstalled injectors. Problem solved. Put her clothes back on. Was reinstalling the seat and I pushed to far tearing the rear hinge apart. Played around with that and at least got the seat to hold. Going to need a new hinge. Started her up, sounded good. I then noticed the lights dimming at idle. All lights are dimming at idle. Threw my hands up and walked away. Will be looking into it more this evening. Will test the system to see if the alternator is charging properly and go from there. She is running great aside from that. 

I have to say that I have been looking at the Z900rs lately and times like these it looks really good! 

Any suggestions would be great.

Define 'idle' in rpm? IIRC the alternator doesn't kick out full power until on the the upside of 1100rpm. BMW's recommended idle of 980rpm should just see the alternator light flickering very dimly, if at all. The immediate suspect is the start motor brushes and the starter motor is a bit easier to get out than the alternator.

Just think: if you bought a Z900 you wouldn't have all the fun of fixing it yourself but you would have the fun of paying out $$$$$$ to the repair shop when something goes wrong.

That is one of the reasons I still have my BRICK.  Lots of money. Idle is just between 900 and 1000 rpm depending on how she feels.

Got her working very well. Tested with battery tester found charge rate good(14.1 @2500rpm) Battery tests good. Cleaned all my ground connections. Took  it out for a 20 mile run, ran great. Sure have missed my k-bike. Been down since May. The new headset bearings were like butter! The new BT-46's felt great! Was a great ride. Need to check the brake fluid as today on the way in to work the brake light on the dash came on.

Bill

What was the problem (just for future info for others)?

fishboy316 wrote:Need to check the brake fluid as today on the way in to work the brake light on the dash came on.

Bill

I might be wrong…but isn’t the brake warning light associated with the bulb monitoring unit, rather than the brake fluid level. I’m not aware of a level or pressure sensor in the front or rear brake systems. The times when mine has illuminated during a ride (I.e after clearing the bulb monitoring unit & ABS warnings by operating both brake levers and riding off) has been due to the bulb blowing.

Born Again Eccentric wrote:

fishboy316 wrote:Need to check the brake fluid as today on the way in to work the brake light on the dash came on.

Bill

I might be wrong…but isn’t the brake warning light associated with the bulb monitoring unit, rather than the brake fluid level. I’m not aware of a level or pressure sensor in the front or rear brake systems. The times when mine has illuminated during a ride (I.e after clearing the bulb monitoring unit & ABS warnings by operating both brake levers and riding off) has been due to the bulb blowing.

+1  Either a blown bulb or one of the brake switches isn't working.  Also a chance that something got unplugged in the brake light wiring.

Went over the brakes, all good. Set the preload up front as it loosened last night. The bike is running and riding better than I can remember. Didn't remember about the bulb monitoring. Will check all of them tomorrow. 

Dai: All I did on the fading lights was let it sit on the tender overnight and tested the system the next day. All tested good. cleaned the grounds and it went away. 

I am happy with the way she is running and riding now. Was contemplating selling and getting a different bike but I am just so impressed with the way the K is handling ands  running I am just going to keep it. 

fishboy316 wrote:Set the preload up front as it loosened last night. The bike is running and riding better than I can remember.

You have adjustable preload in your front suspension?

I have a few K100s....using the brakes at night does make the alternator light glow at idle. On all of them. All checked for output and all with good regulators since tills.de sell them for peanut money.

Doesnt happern on my K1100.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Doesnt happern on my K1100.

Different alternator. IIRC the 50amp ones start generating full power pretty much at tickover.

Dai wrote:

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Doesnt happern on my K1100.

Different alternator. IIRC the 50amp ones start generating full power pretty much at tickover.

I concur. Big Block's 50a unit, after an initial throttle stab to gain revs, sits at 14.2v at an 850/900 rpm tickover.

Dai wrote:

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Doesnt happern on my K1100.

Different alternator. IIRC the 50amp ones start generating full power pretty much at tickover.

Exactly, thats why I mentioned the K1100. I take a bike out every day so I get to swap around and means no topping up batteries etc.

Thanks for the replies gents. It is working great. The front brake switch was not connected completely. Had the bike torn apart for a couple of months and it was a casualty. cleaned and reconnected. Works great now.

Bill

Two Wheels Better wrote:

fishboy316 wrote:Set the preload up front as it loosened last night. The bike is running and riding better than I can remember.

You have adjustable preload in your front suspension?

I replaced the bearings in the Steering head. They were notchy. They are like BUTTER now. Was the bearing preload.