Alternator removal

[Dave_NWTrophy]

Does anyone here have experience removing the alternator?  I've got the bike stripped down, but I cannot see how to get to the lower mounting bolt, or get the alternator around the chassis, without completely removing the ABS motor, even though the manual says you don't have to.  Any insight is appreciated.

Dave

[Dave_NWTrophy]

Well, I managed to extract it.  Turns out I was looking in the wrong spot :-) .  It still wasn't easy getting it out around the ABS motor and the main harness.  I did find that my oil pressure warning switch was leaking (as I suspected), and the alternator decoupler is seized, thus causing the rattle and light flicker I am seeing.  Gotta order the decoupler, and then figure out how the maze of wires and vacuum lines go back together.

Dave

[teef.au]

Is the light flicker only at idle?

[nert]

My 2013 lights has always flickered at idle. Just above idle life is good.  Never thought much about it. 45,000 miles no electrical problems, never dead, run heated seats, grips, and vest. What is a decoupler?

[Dave_NWTrophy]

Gates has a good video describing how both an overrun pulley and decoupler work, and how to test:

It turns out my decoupler passed the test (you really have to get the sealing cap off to see what is going on in this case), so it is not (or shouldn't be) the source of the light flicker or rattle.  While I would have liked to have solved both issues, I am glad I don't need a new decoupler, as they are nearly $300.  Waiting on the replacement cap (luckily they are cheap) then I get to put it all back together.

Dave

[earthman]

Interesting video that Dave, thanks for posting.

[intheblues]

Did you figure out the problem?  I have the same issue. 

[Coconut]

Before removing the Alternator, have a read of this Topic,
where a similar problem of Headlights flickering at Idle,
was "cured" by replacing the Battery Earth Cable :

Headlight minor flicker - wiring loom issue ?