GL1200 GOLDWINGS
To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - Printable Version

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+-- Forum: TECH CENTER (http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/gl1200/forumdisplay.php?fid=39)
+--- Forum: CHARGING SYSTEM AND CONVERSION ALTERNATORS (http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/gl1200/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+--- Thread: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... (/showthread.php?tid=10923)



To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - pstelter - 04-19-2017

The only mods that I have done to my bike's charging system are the three yellow wires and replacing the dogbone fuse. To minimize load on the alternator I would like to switch to LED lights and perhaps a HID headlight.

I have not done the Poorboy modification. Obviously, if the stator goes T.U., then I'll have to do it. The question is should I wait until that happens (very little chance that I will need an emergent repair while I am 1000's of miles from home), or do I pre-emptively make the modification? Or are there two types of GL1200s (those that have been modified and those that will be modified)?

The thought of doing the mod actually sounds pretty cool. What concerns me is that it will take much longer to accomplish than planned and eat into the already short CT riding season...I'm already down a week because of the brakes.

Any thoughts?


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - SIR tricky - 04-19-2017

Doesnt take long to do, I did both mine while original was good, gives lots of energy for extra lighting without the battery going flat.

Not a difficult job


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - neoracer - 04-20-2017

only takes about 8 hrs or less of work as long as you are using DON"s kit,and have the extra items on hand
if you are fabricating the brackets may take you alot longer


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - detdrbuzzard - 04-21-2017

if you do the poorboy install you won't have to change to led lights unless you want to and you'll have plenty on power to run heated gear so you can extend your riding season, and if the alternator goes out while you are away from home you can get another one from any auto parts store


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - bagelboy - 04-25-2017

I had my 1987 Aspencade stator die on me 1200 miles from home. Spent 5 days waiting for parts, scrounging up some tools, and then doing the poorboy. When I got home I immediately did my other 1200, not wanting to repeat a vacation like that again. I would be pro active and do it soon. In your garage, with your tools, and on your time!


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - pstelter - 05-05-2017

Are the stator failures generally due to age or use? My stator is old (1985) but has not been used much (less than 40k miles). Saw some posts here indicating statpr changeouts every 70k miles or so. Would this mean mine is at half it's expected life?


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - SIR tricky - 05-05-2017

If you keep a very close eye on the state of the main fuse, there is some discussion as to that being the culprit.

both my 85's have the stator in working condition and I installed the external stator primarily for the extra power that it puts out for driving lights and lots of other lights.

I did have two stators go in my first bike, I figured after taking the engine out twice, there wasnt going to be a third time.


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - detdrbuzzard - 05-08-2017

my 1200 had about 36,500 miles on it when I got it and the stator gave up the ghost around 42,000 miles. I had a friend help with the conversion cause I gave the 1200 wing to my niece and I didn't want her having stator problems and she has some heated gear and extra lights


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - LovesToRide - 05-12-2019

I'm not certain I want to modify my bike. How much is the average cost to have the stator replaced?
1984 Aspencade, 52,000 miles, original owner


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - detdrbuzzard - 05-22-2019

(05-12-2019, 03:00 PM)LovesToRide Wrote: I'm not certain I want to modify my bike. How much is the average cost to have the stator replaced?
1984 Aspencade, 52,000 miles, original owner
the few shops in my area that will replace a stator are charging around $1200


RE: To Poorboy or not to Poorboy... - ESossner - 08-16-2023

(04-20-2017, 04:37 AM)neoracer Wrote: only takes about 8 hrs or less of work as long as you are using DON"s kit,and have the extra items on hand
if you are fabricating the brackets may take you alot longer

Don's kits no longer being available that I can find...... do you have a source or a parts list and drawings for the brackets. I hate the idea of recreating the wheel......

Thanks