Anyone out there looking to replace their stock regulator/rectifier with the "R1" style MOSFET R/R, check this guy out for a simple kit including the R/R:
A couple years ago I had my VFR down and stripped for some other upgrades and maintenance and took a look at my R/R. This was the "Updated" R/R from Honda from a few years back. My bike is pre monitor wire (black wire), but it was the updated one to fit and of course used the standard terrible connectors. Looking at the R/R, it seemed ok at first. On closer examination I could see the insulation flaking off the three yellow wires on the R/R side of the connector. There was no sign of arcing, so it must have happened from me handling it for inspection. Also no sign of melt-age or arcing in the connector. In spite of this, the wires must have been getting so hot that they were baking the insulation and making it very brittle. Luckily I found it before it was road ready again and I set out on a fact finding quest to replace it. I don't think the Compu Fire had come out, or at least it wasn't a popular alternative yet, so I settled on the "R1" Shindengen FH series as a replacement. I actually did find an R1 FH012 for the VFR, and since I was in the mood I found the one for the ZX10. I believe it was the FH010, but that seems too convenient. There is one for the Honda models (FH014), but it retains the pig tail connector. Since the connectors are half the battle, I wanted one that plugs directly into the unit via the heavy duty, dust and water resistent Furukawa connectors. I just took a look at them this week, and they are looking like the day I installed them. Anyone who was at the 2011 Catskills Fall Ride can attest to the amount of rain and mud the bike has been through, and the terminals are clean and dry! Again on the multi day ride home from Catskills 2012 I got into quite a lot of rain.
Another thing I picked up from researching on other forums was to run the DC + output from the R/R directly to the battery through a 30a fuse on the positive side. The negative runs straight to the frame to ground it. I taped up the unused stock connectors and tucked them away.
I'm not actually in the market for a new R/R, but I stumbled across this guy looking for some other stuff and wanted to give him a plug because I like the look of the kit, and the performance of my own mods spliced together from other sources. On the FH020 he says:
The FH020AA is the replacement
for the FH012AA because of parts shortages after the Japan Earthquake.
Same ratings just some updated parts. I have a few hundred out there with
no issues. Pretty bullet proof regulator.
So if you're interested finding a better R/R and remain unconvinced about the Compu Fire, give this a shot. I put one of those on my RC51, also wired directly to the battery. I forget what I paid, but pretty sure it was more, plus upgrading the connectors on it (based on recommendations from this forum).
Find a cheap used FH010, or 012 if you can and just get the connection kit. But I don't think you'll save much, plus his are brand new units.
Anyway, it's out there for you. I don't get any kick backs, nor am I planning to arrange any "Group Buy" deals with him.