| I had the same problem on my 97 916, managed to get within a mile or so of home, then the happy task of pushing the bike back, a quick chat with a mate, and the removal of the fairing, regulator/rectifier wiring found to be in a very poor state, a sign things are not to good with the unit!!!
After a chat with the garage I brought the bike from, it should be fixed later this week FOC, as I've only had the bike 3 weeks!!!
I have been told that pre 98/99 bike used this type, then the unit was changed to a jap type after the said date.
but the symptons your bike gave where the same as mine, so I'd say thats your problem aswell. | 
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