Hi folks,

I wondering if you have some advice...

I'm new to the forum but have read a bit over the past 1+ yr (& 30 odd thousand kms), as I've been riding across europe, balkans, turkey etc. Now in Morocco and heading south (with the exception of Mali!)

Anyway, I have an XL600 (99 yr). I knacked the regulator and battery while roll starting the bike (for a few of months from turkey to spain)... (I can just imagine peoples heads shaking!)

So in Spain had to replace the battery and look for new regulator. Road bike for a little bit keeping eye on battery & water til i got a new regulator (2nd hand). Replaced it and checked voltage which was running at 14 something. 2 days later on arrival to morocco bike wouldnt tick over. Mechanic checked voltage, it was running at 17-18, replaced regulator with another 2nd hand reg, checked voltage which was again 14 something. 2 weeks later i'm in the same situation....bike wont start etc etc

Checked with professional mechanic here (working more with high end/new race bikes and some trail)...they said my battery was shot, that it was poor quality which was probably already damaged before changing the regulator. I am concerned that it is a problem further up the line....alternator,starter? but they said they checked it (not sure how?) and it is ok. They have put in a Yuasa sealed battery 12V 10Ah (YT 12B-BS). We check voltage, again running at 17-18 with high revs (which concerns me!). But the regulator is not running hot (warm but not burning after A ride). Even with the high voltage they think the regulator could be ok, and that i just need to ride for a few hundred km's and see how it goes... which I'll do today. But I'm concerned that
1) even if the reg is broken we're probably not going to detect a problem with starting in the next day or 2.
2) that the problem will probably make its self known again when i'm in the middle of nowhere in the sahara (and without a hill to roll down!)
3) that if i don't fix the problem now it just costs more in the long run... money, hassel and who knows what!?!
4) I don't think simply putting another regulator in is going to be the solution (hasn't worked last 2 times)

Although 2nd hand, both regulators have been honda orignal and working at the time of purchase... (2nd hand because the budget has only been allowing for petrol bread & water!).... perhaps I just need to go for a new one?

Does anyone have suggestions, advice or experiences to share?

I'm not sure what to do.... i have no idea really...

many thanks in advance