Solid State Regulator $25.94

[pamcopete]

Click here for '80 to '83

xs650temp.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=Charging&action=display&thread=9306&page=1#58628

This is for '70 to '79 models:

Go to www.advanceautoparts.com. Type in "R292". Find GP Sorensen VR291 regulator. Order it for $25.94. Go to www.MikesXS.com. Order plug set XS# 12-0633 for $4. That is the plug for the regulator. Cut off the plug that comes with the VR291. Crimp on the plug from Mikes.

Note: VR291 is now R292 at Advance Auto

Wire Color Code:
Orange and yellow wires together to Brown (+)
Black to Black (Brush Ground)
Green to Green (Brush +)

Plug it in. Test for 14.2 to 14.7 at battery with engine at 2500 RPM. (Wait for the battery to recover from the start load)

Tip: If you want to save the $4 for a new plug from MikesXS, just cut the old plug off of the old regulator and use it.

Note: If your brushes are crap (ALL brushes are crap),suggest you order new brushes from MikesXS. XS# 24-2650 or 51.

Ride. Enjoy.

[rod]

This guy makes a bullet proof regulator with a life time warranty: www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/index.html

[pamcopete]

rod,

Checked out the site. Looks good, but $45 vs $27.48. The VR291 was also used on a lot of vehicles in the mid 1970's, so probably available for less in your local junk yard.

[ChuckD]

www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?mfrpartnumber=vr291
They're now $45.99 to my zip code at any rate.

[pamcopete]

ChuckD

Well, Chuck, I clicked on the link and the price came up as $27.48, so I guess that you must be refering to the addition of shipping charges. If you select USPS those charges will be much less, or you can just go to your local Advance Auto parts store and order it over the counter, in which case, you will have to pay the local sales tax instead of shipping charges.

pamcopete

[pamcopete]

ChuckD

NAPA has the same part with their part number MPEVR1010SB for $24.99. I would suggest that you ask for the VR291 and let them do the cross reference. Avoid the early production units with a pink wire instead of the orange wire.

[pamcopete]

ChuckD
Go to your local junk yard and find one of the following vehicles. Offer the guy $5.00 (for the whole vehicle!)

GP Sorensen Voltage Regulator

Part Number: VR291



This product fits the following vehicles

AMERICAN MOTORS
1971 - 1974 AMBASSADOR
1971 - 1974 JAVELIN

1971 - 1974 AMX
1971 - 1975 MATADOR

1971 - 1975 GREMLIN
1975 PACER

1971 - 1975 HORNET



INTERNATIONAL
1974 100
1973 1310

1973 1010
1975 150

1973 1110
1975 200

1973 1210
1973 - 1980 SCOUT II



JEEP
1974 - 1975 CHEROKEE
1974 - 1975 J10

1972 - 1975 CJ5
1974 - 1975 J20

1972 - 1975 CJ6
1972 - 1973 JEEPSTER

1972 - 1973 J-2500
1972 - 1975 WAGONEER

1972 - 1973 J-2600

[pamcopete]

ChuckD
Apparently there are no Advance Auto Stores in your area, but Parts America is affiliated with Checker Auto Parts Stores in your area:

www.partsamerica.com/StoreLocatorData.aspx?zip=29732&chain=CSK

[ChuckD]

pamcopete
I'll look into my local autoparts and see what I come up with. I didn't realize I had a choice in shipping with the link I posted. They just asked for my zip code (89122) and $45.99 popped up?
Oh man, I'd be in the dog house if I showed up with a whole '71-'74 Ambassador, AMX or Javelin from anywhere, but a little Jeep, I may be able to get away with that. ;D
Thanks for the help,
Chuck

[pamcopete]

ChuckD
The VR291 will not replace the combined regulator / rectifier on later models. What year is yours?

Avoid the older units with a pink wire instead of an orange wire. They will produce a higher than ideal voltage. Parts America, or in your case, Checker Auto Parts, offer a one year warranty, so be sure and keep the connector after you cut it off so you can return the complete unit. Check the voltage drop across your Ign (key) switch with everything turned on. The regulator (not just the VR291) is connected to the load side (brown wire) of the switch, so if there is a voltage drop across the key switch, the battery voltage will read higher than it should by the amount of drop. Example: if you have a .75 volt drop across the switch and the regulator is "looking for" 14.5 V on the brown wire, then the battery will read 15.25 volts. If that's the case, then take the key switch apart and clean the contacts.

[Sparksfarmer]

Hi All,

I tried the Parts America link and also got $45.99 and the checkout page said I'm only $$.01 from free shipping. Where are you that you get it for 27.48? Are you starting at Parts America then typing in a zip code then getting it for that low price? I went back and tried Chicago 60609, but still got the higher price...
Thanks,
Sparks

[Sparksfarmer]

OK This is scary,

I went back to Parts America and typed in VR291. It asked me for my zip code. I typed in 48224 which is one of the zip codes for Detroit. It came up at the 27 dollar price. I backed up to the zip code page and typed in a metro Detroit zip code, and it came up for$45. Must be like the gas stations, they charge more in the high rent districts...
Just what we need, snooty parts stores.
Sparks

[pamcopete]

Installing a VR291:

The VR291 will mount in the same location as the stock regulator, except that you must use a "bridging" piece of metal for the upper mounting hole. I used the plate from a 1 1/2 or 2 " U-Bolt (forgot which).

[pamcopete]

To All
The VR291 or it's equivalent is manufactured by several companies, like Standard Motor Parts (which actually bought out GP Sorensen), Nieffof Ignition and others. All of these other manufactures sell the VR291 for much more than the GP Sorensen brand. Parts America will quote the price of whatever brand they have in the warehouse that serves the ZIP code that you choose. The VR291 is also available from NAPA (see earlier posting for part number) for $24 and change, but I do not have any experience with their product.
Your best bet is to go to a local affiliate of Parts America, like Advance Auto, and order it over the counter. All of Parts America affiliates are listed on their web site, so you can find one near you.

www.partsamerica.com/StoreLocatorData.aspx?zip=29732&chain=CSK

It also gives you an opportunity to look for the "pink wire" on the older units and kindly tell the clerk that you want a unit with an orange wire. Otherwise, go to your local junk yard per my earlier posting.

[LarryBart]

Hello:

Dose this regulator work on 1980 and up XS650 bikes without points.

Thanks LarryBart