weird electrical issue

[Guest]

was having some problems earlier today with my bike running okay in the early afternoon, and then poo within a couple hours...

and it seems to be electrical related.

i was riding in the early afternoon and out of habit i ride with my headlight on, my friend rode it later on, and he doesn't.

it ran perfectly fine for me but like garbage for him... until he turned the headlights on and then everything went back to being hunky dory.

if it means anything, my battery is flat dead, it wont hold a charge... i've seen more spark in a wet tissue. so i have to kickstart it or bump start it every time (going to replace it later this week when i get paid).

any thoughts on what might cause the bike to act like this? one of my other friends suggested voltage regulator...

thanks in advance, gents.

bike is a '78 gs400

[tom203]

was having some problems earlier today with my bike running okay in the early afternoon, and then poo within a couple hours...

and it seems to be electrical related.

i was riding in the early afternoon and out of habit i ride with my headlight on, my friend rode it later on, and he doesn't.

it ran perfectly fine for me but like garbage for him... until he turned the headlights on and then everything went back to being hunky dory.

if it means anything, my battery is flat dead, it wont hold a charge... i've seen more spark in a wet tissue. so i have to kickstart it or bump start it every time (going to replace it later this week when i get paid).

any thoughts on what might cause the bike to act like this? one of my other friends suggested voltage regulator...

thanks in advance, gents.

bike is a '78 gs400

Time to check charging system! headlight off- less load- system could be overcharging with too high voltage. Of course, you need a good battery to test charging system to pinpoint culprit.

[Steve]

With a stock wiring system, one leg of the stator is turned off when you turn off the headlight. I have found that that one leg puts out a bit more than the headlight draws, so the bike will actually charge better with the headlight on.

Since your battery is dead, you are relying entirely on the stator output. There is also a chance that you have one (of three) bad leg in the stator. With one bad leg and one turned off, you were trying to run on just one leg. With the lights ON, you were at least using two legs.

Just a thought, but that's what you asked for.

.

[Raid3n]

ok cool. i thought it might be something to do with battery/charging system.

i'm going to pick up a new battery and then test the charging system after that.

thanks guys.

[Steve]

When you get your new battery, charge it before you install it.

Yeah, there's a page on BassCliff's site about initializing a battery.
(it's on the "Electrical Odds and Ends page)

.

[Raid3n]

the ones i get thru my work are dry charged when manufactured. or so says the battery... do i still need to charge it?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yours is not a weird electrical problem. There are three or four threads just like it on the first page of the electrical forum. For example: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=178267

All of the information and links in that thread apply directly to your issue. This is a very comon issue with well established testing and repair procedures.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Raid3n]

excellent, that is what i wanted to hear. if it's common, then the fix will be well documented... i just wasn't too sure what to search for, as none of what i searched for turned up anything useful haha.

thanks again BassCliff

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Raid3n,

It seems I have been remiss in my duties to properly escort you into the world of GS nirvana. The path to GS enlightenment begins in the links below. Do not stray from the path or your classic machine will be stranded on the side of the path instead of joyfully proceeding along the path in a care-free manner. When you can snatch the valve shim from my hand you shall be ready.

Anyway, let me dump a TON if information on you and share some GS lovin'.

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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", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. 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

[koolaid_kid]

Hi Mr. Raid3n,

It seems I have been remiss in my duties to properly escort you into the world of GS nirvana. The path to GS enlightenment begins in the links below. Do not stray from the path or your classic machine will be stranded on the side of the path instead of joyfully proceeding along the path in a care-free manner. When you can snatch the valve shim from my hand you shall be ready.
Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Someone has been watching too many Kung Fu reruns...