Missing at high speeds/rpm

[SqDancerLynn1]

Nothing was mentioned, Make sure you have 12 volts on the coils. You need to block the points open to check

[Scudder]

Big T... Thanks a bunch. I now feel confident about the direction I'm heading.

But... Tonight I get home from work and take off the side covers and start looking around at the rectifier, and the regulator which is located under the battery box, because a mechanic I know said that the regulator could be the problem. I looked closely and discovered two wires coming out of it. The black one is grounded to the box and the yellow on is not attached to anything. Seems to me the yellow wire should be attached to something. It is a male fitting. For the life of me I can't find where it goes. I've looked in my manuel and can find nothing.

Any ideas?

Scudder

[Scudder]

Not sure if this is a part of the missing problem (I hope it's the condensers), but there are 3 wires coming off the alternator. The yellow wire has only one female wire attachment. There is supposed to be two so I can attached the regulator and rectifier yellow wires to the one alternator wire, according to the manuel I'm looking at. There has to be a double attachment. One for the yellow rectifier wire and one for the regulater. What should I do about this? cut the one female off and attach a double to accomodate the rectifier yellow and regulator yellow wire?

Scudder

[Big T]

Big T... Thanks a bunch. I now feel confident about the direction I'm heading.

But... Tonight I get home from work and take off the side covers and start looking around at the rectifier, and the regulator which is located under the battery box, because a mechanic I know said that the regulator could be the problem. I looked closely and discovered two wires coming out of it. The black one is grounded to the box and the yellow on is not attached to anything. Seems to me the yellow wire should be attached to something. It is a male fitting. For the life of me I can't find where it goes. I've looked in my manuel and can find nothing.

Any ideas?

Scudder

Is your mechanic over 50?

Does he work on vehicles with points ignitions, or does he hook up diagnostic machines to vehicles?

Like Cliff, he's not likely to have a good understanding of these issues because he's too young

As far as your wire issue, do you have a wiring diagram? If not, go to Cliff's site and download one.

Start your electrical quest by:

1. Measure battery voltage with bike off - 12.8V
2. Measure battery voltage at 3,000 RPM- 13.5V ish

If you're within these parameters, you're charging is OK. IF not, read the Stator Papers

[Scudder]

Nope. He's younger. Probably late 30's, and works mainly on Harleys. I'm 50. However, and I'm finding I don't know squat. However, I enjoy trying to solve the problem, with your help of course. I will test the battery, and then follow your advice. Thank you.

Scudder

[Big T]

Ask him how to tune a Tillotson for altitude (as a joke)

I'm 58, but I have a couple of advantages. I started turning wrenches in 1970. I also have had the advantage of knowing a number of highly skilled individuals in those 41 years who taught me all sorts of stuff

Sounds like you're hitting the GS trifecta - ignition, carbs, charging - just keep looking around here, reading and posting up your questions (Ed will tell you to try the Search function)

[BassCliff]

Like Cliff, he's not likely to have a good understanding of these issues because he's too young

You flatter me sir.

I do happen to remember where I was and what I was doing when JFK was shot.

Mr. Scudder, you should replace the separate rectifier and regulator units in your charging system with an upgraded integrated r/r unit from our good friend duaneage. Move the ground wire from the lousy ground connection on the battery box directly to the negative terminal of the battery. Do a live test of your stator, following the fault finding procedure in the Stator Papers, and replace if necessary.

Since you have a loose yellow wire it's possible that someone may have modified the charging system already. Verify whether or not you have a separate regulator and rectifier.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[rustybronco]

Go out and pull the ignition cover. Start the bike. See if there's sparking at the points (best done in the dark) If there is - there's your "miss" and replace the condensors.

All points spark. the question is how much is too much.

what you don't want to see are sparks flying out between the point contacts like this http://s612.photobucket.com/albums/t...nt=Cap0002.mp4

[Scudder]

I suspect I've got an aftermarket alternator because it only has 3 wires coming off it (it is cleaner than everything else)and in my wiring diagram there should be a way to attach the 3 wires of the rectifier and one yellow form the regulator. Would it be ok to rig up a double female attachment to the yellow alternator so I can attach both the rectifier and the regulator? It appears that this is what is done with the stock alternator in the diagram. Or will I be goofing something up?

I know I've got to change out the condensors but not having the regulator attached concerns me. I do plan to upgrade to an intergrated regulator/rectifier when I get on the the other side of my condensor (missing) issues.

scudder

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I think your charging system should look like this:



Does your stator output have three yellow wires or are they the original colors, as above?

In the diagram above you see the (original) yellow wire has a "Y" connection to both the rectifier and the regulator.

But I agree, fix the ignition stuff first and then we'll tackle the charging system.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Scudder]

Actually the three wires coming off the alternator are black (not yellow as I said earlier). So that indicates that it is an aftermarket deal to me. I will have to have a "Y" connector to hook up both the rectifier and regulator up to the alternator. This will be added to my list, and be upgraded after ignition issues are resolved. Is there a problem in putting a "Y" connecter on the appropriate alternator wire and hooking both up, or should I wait for the upgrade? Thanks.

I'm wondering what I'm going to do with my free time when (if ever) I get this thing running right.

Scudder

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Aftermarket 12-pole stators are hard to find. It must have cost a pretty penny.

If you still have the separate regulator and rectifier on your bike, There should be no issues with hooking everything up according to the original wiring diagram.

But as long as you have a good battery, you don't really need a functioning charging system just to sort out the ignition issues. You can keep your battery charged with a trickle charger while you replace condensers and button down the ignition. Then you can install a new integrated r/r unit after that. It's up to you.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Big T]

I'm wondering what I'm going to do with my free time when (if ever) I get this thing running right.Scudder

Well, I hope you bought an older bike because you enjoy solving problems.

Most of the GSes suffer from previous owner syndrome (POS) where some hack has done unspeakable things rather than a proper repair, or maintenance

So far, yours seems to just be a victim of old age, Parts wear out or just go bad (like your condensors) after 10, 20 or 30 years

Your problems seem pretty small so far, It starts and runs and may charge with just a minor repair

While you're making that electrical Y, make a ground and run it from the rectifier directly to the battery negative pole. That seems to make a huge difference in charging.

My 78 still has the original regulator and rectifier from 1978, so they can hold up

[Scudder]

I do enjoy solving problems, and I'm almost a year (off an on) into this one. I have learned a lot along the way, but after talking with you guys realize I've still got a lot to learn, which I'm looking forward to.

Thanks

Scudder

[mavrik]

After reading all your posts I would recommend u check your charging system and if it is charging properly forget about the yellow wire and work on getting the bike to run properly... just my 2 cents... good luck...