Battery dies and won't recharge

[rbecker]

I have a new battery and rectifier. My '78' GS 550 still seems to die and can only be started by kicking it over. Sometimes when it is idling I can just turn on the light and it will kill the engine. After I charge the battery it does work (electric ignition) for a while, but then goes back after a few rides to dying. Any suggestions out there

[chuck hahn]

Have you at a minimum checked the votlage at the battery when it does run?? See if it is around 12.9 or better at an idle. Then run it up to around 4500 and see if the voltage increases. If theres some charging there then I would check all 3 legs of the stator..there may be 2 good legs and one bad one causing insufficient voltages. Check all the connections and clean all the grounds. ADD and extra ground from the reg bolt directly to the negative on the battery to insure a good solid reg ground as well. Clean the fuse box terminals.

[rbecker]

Thanks, I will get started! Let you know how it goes.

[OldVet66]

Look for burnt connections also, the stator connections especially like to burn. Anything that has turned the sleeves or plugs brown need to be replaced.

[chuck hahn]

When you add new ends to the wires solder them as well as the crimping. A good coat of dielectric grease is advisable too.

[posplayr]

Have you at a minimum checked the votlage at the battery when it does run?? See if it is around 12.9 or better at an idle. Then run it up to around 4500 and see if the voltage increases. If theres some charging there then I would check all 3 legs of the stator..there may be 2 good legs and one bad one causing insufficient voltages. Check all the connections and clean all the grounds. ADD and extra ground from the reg bolt directly to the negative on the battery to insure a good solid reg ground as well. Clean the fuse box terminals.

Do a Quick Test

[Redman]

I have a new battery and rectifier. My '78' GS 550 still seems to die and can only be started by kicking it over. Sometimes when it is idling I can just turn on the light and it will kill the engine. After I charge the battery it does work (electric ignition) for a while, but then goes back after a few rides to dying. Any suggestions out there

Yes, definitly sounds lie the charging system is not charging the battery any at all.

I noticed that your description of things did not mention any voltage readings.

Will need a volt-ohm meter (multi meter) to troubleshoot such an electrcial problem.
Only other option to troubleshooting it is to replace both the stator and the R/R, and that could fix it. But may also be other problems that will still haunt you.

Get a volt meter. Get the stator papers.
Maybe find a buddy that undrstands electrical charging system.

You have a 30 year old bike. You will lwant to have a volt meter.
You have a 30 year old GS, you need a volt meter.

Tell us more what you find.

If dont have a meter and you jusgt wantto try something, just to try it.
Take a piece of wire and hold or connect it from the bolt the solenoid is mounted on theer on the battery box, and other end to battery negitive. Maybe the battery box and the R/R have lost its ground.

But, really, need to have a volt meter and follow the tests in the stator papers.

.