GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Electrics => Topic started by: Stevel3 on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 05:42 PM

Title: Tingling
Post by: Stevel3 on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 05:42 PM
Wasn't sure to put it here or bike chat. When my bike is on the trickle charger, if I touch the muffler or frame I get a small tingling. More so if my arm touches anything metal. Is it an earth issue ?
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 06:05 PM
Just telling you it loves you already. :)
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Stevel3 on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 06:07 PM
Google AI response below after it asked if i was wearing any footwear. I only had socks on. I didn't realise that tyres don't block currents, especially when on bare concrete. I put this up here in case anyone else was getting the same thing.

Since there are no error lights on your CTEK MXS 5.0, the unit's internal microprocessor is detecting a healthy battery circuit and operating exactly as designed. The tingling you felt is simply the harmless "touch current" from the internal high-frequency switching components, which is now safely blocked by your rubber thongs.As long as the charger remains error-free, you do not need to replace it, but you should stick to a safe garage routine.
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Stevel3 on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 06:08 PM
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 19 August  2026, 06:05 PMJust telling you it loves you already. :)
:rofl2:
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Mick_J on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 06:40 PM
Being made of rubber all tyres provide insulation from earth.  There are exceptions to thar though, aircraft tyres conduct electricity as do vehicle tyres in explosive environments, bomb stores etc.
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Stevel3 on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 07:10 PM
Quote from: Mick_J on Wednesday, 19 August  2026, 06:40 PMBeing made of rubber all tyres provide insulation from earth.  There are exceptions to thar though, aircraft tyres conduct electricity as do vehicle tyres in explosive environments, bomb stores etc.

Why the Motorcycle Tyres Don't Help You

The Tires Only Protect the Bike: The rubber tyres successfully insulate the motorcycle itself from the concrete. Because of this, the stray voltage builds up and stays trapped inside the metal frame of the bike.You Create a Bypass: The tyres cannot protect you. When you stand on the concrete and touch the bike, you act like a jumper lead. You create a completely new path for the trapped electricity to bypass the tyres, travel down your arm, go through your body, and escape into the floor.
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: grog on Thursday, 20 August 2026, 04:03 PM
Farmer Mate had similar. He hit transformer with irrigation pipe, was trying to shake a bandicoot out. Electricity blew both his big toes to pieces. They were repaired and he actually played football again. Docs told him if he'd had rubber soled boots, power would've just gone round inside him, until he fell over, probably killed him.
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Mr Gee on Thursday, 20 August 2026, 09:55 PM
If you are feeling it, then it is not, alright and needs looking into.
Title: Re: Tingling
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Thursday, 20 August 2026, 10:39 PM
Check the wiring at the headlight bowl and steering head, this is where it flexes and can rub through. Def not ok, note the generator converts the battery 12v to AC before thr regulator turns it back to DC, limiting it to 13-14v, but it carries 40-50 amps, enough to stop your heart if earthing somewhere. Also, the  coil packs use high voltage, and packing enough current to fire the spark plugs each revolution of the crank. Be mindful