Night Riding

[Black Knight]

For the last few night's i've taken notice the head light will slightly dim then get brighter but this happend's every 10 min's . I pulled the battery and it showed 13.5 volt's and i added fluid . Would the regulator / rectifier be going bad ? . It start's every time and run's real good but that dim is bothering me .

[jbs80106]

Is the dimming concurrent with throttle position or revs?

Not sure of the signs a bulb is going out. Engine electircs comes to mind, but just a guess....

[koolaid_kid]

Have you run through the stator papers yet?
Have you checked out your wiring, particularly in the headlight shell?
Let us know your findings.

[Graham]

13.5 volts out of the battery (unhooked) doesn't sound right. Check charging system per factory manual. Check wiring for shots and open connections (wiggle the wires). Does it dim on both beams? What model/year GS?

[bakalorz]

13.5 volts out of the battery (unhooked) doesn't sound right. Check charging system per factory manual. Check wiring for shots and open connections (wiggle the wires). Does it dim on both beams? What model/year GS?

13.5 unhooked battery voltage is impossible IF the battery voltage has had time to stabilize ... but if he unhooked immediately after riding (and charging) the battery voltage could read that high for a little while.

Measuring the voltage at the battery with the engine running at 2000 or more RPM would be the quick and dirty first test ... should show at least 14 and less than 15 volts.

If thats ok, then troubleshoot the wiring for the light itself ...
if not between 14 and 15 volts, then troubleshoot the charging system.

What fluid did the originator add ... The ONLY thing you should ever add is DISTILLED water (about $1 and available at most grocery stores in the US) --- DON'T add tap water or more acid, either will harm the battery.

Using a LITTLE bit of water is normal and acceptable ... using a lot points to overcharging and a likely broken R/R ...

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Black Knight,

I've had the lights on my bike act similarly as the stator is starting to fail. As suggested, got through the Stator Papers and the other related supplemental guides located in the Electrical Odds and Ends section of my little website. Check the links below in your "mega-welcome".

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[1_v8_merc]

Do the lights dim if u rev it?

Mine did the same thing, turned out to just be a dirty
connection somewhere along the wiring harness.

U should always run along the harness and clean the connections on these older bikes, it will make a huge difference.

But whichever u feel like doing first.