Basic Electrical System Inquiry

[Guest]

The bike will start by kicking, but it doesn't seem to have full power. The lights on the dash brighten and darken relative to the RPMs. I shut off the engine, and have NO power to the lights or neutral indicator, etc. I jump it from the car, and it turns the motor but not enough to start the motor. Then though, next time I kick started the motor I now have enough power to get the gear indicator on while the bike is running. Shut down, and again, no power once the motor stops.

So, with my basics of understanding and reading up on here, it sounds like although the r/r might be problematic to many people, it seems the bike is getting its power. Is the battery a good guess? I put it on my tender, but the tender doesn't recognize batteries when they're too low which happened here.

Thanks for educating a newbie.

[spyug]

There is definitely a charging issue but there can be several things at play here including the battery, the R/r and the stator. You need to follow the diagnostic flow chart contained in the Stator Papers on the main page to narrow things down.

From what you say the battery seems to be trashed if its not holding or even taking a charge but there are symptoms that suggest the other components maybe at fault too.

Try the diagnostics but to do it effectively you will need a working battery. You could sustitute an automotive battery by connecting your car's battery by jumper cables but be sure not to have the cars engine running as the output from the car's alternator could kill the bikes electronics.

Do some of the testing and let us know what you find.

Good luck,
spyug

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Perhaps most, if not all, of these steps should be completed, not necessarily in this order.

1. Stator Papers, diagnostics and testing
2. See the R/R and Stator related guides on my website.
3. See the Electrical Section of my website.
4. Replace Stator
5. Replace R/R unit
(Note: If you have a separate regulator and rectifier, replace both with an integrated r/r unit.)
6. Replace Battery.
7. Clean EVERY connection and ground on the entire bike.
8. Attach r/r ground wire directly to the negative battery terminal.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bonanzadave]

1. Stator Papers, diagnostics and testing
2. See the R/R and Stator related guides on my website.
3. See the Electrical Section of my website.
4. Replace Stator
5. Replace R/R unit
(Note: If you have a separate regulator and rectifier, replace both with an integrated r/r unit.)
6. Replace Battery.
7. Clean EVERY connection and ground on the entire bike.
8. Attach r/r ground wire directly to the negative battery terminal. our f

That may seem like a lot of homework but if you want to ride an old Bike with any confidence.....ya gotta do it !