1978 gs 1000 e charging system

[lrgguy]

You enjoy spending money don't you?

Could be nothing more than bad connections as the route cause.

Well when you just dont get electrical ... what are you to do ???
I run these tests with the multimeter and numbers and volts and current it is all spanish to me ...

[rustybronco]

Well when you just dont get electrical ... what are you to do ???

Rely on those that do...

https://imageshack.com/i/0npict2713hj

The piece held on by two screws is the regulator. The piece down and to the right is the rectifier.

https://imageshack.com/i/10pict2700j

The rubber boot should house the connectors we are interested in.

Slow down, take a breath and you'll get through this.

Now, I asked for the numbers off your 650's regulator/rectifier... and that is?

[OldVet66]

You know you can do this. The majority of people on this site started out where you are, not knowing a lot at all about motorcycles in one area or another. If you can post on this site, you are capable of learning new things you are not comfortable with. The tools are there, all it takes is a willingness to do it and patience. Most of us were dragged kicking and screaming to the realization that we have to be our own mechanics, and most of us have really nice bikes that are reliable and don't cost a lot to maintain.

[lrgguy]

Rely on those that do...

https://imageshack.com/i/0npict2713hj

The piece held on by two screws is the regulator. The piece down and to the right is the rectifier.

https://imageshack.com/i/10pict2700j

The rubber boot should house the connectors we are interested in.

Slow down, take a breath and you'll get through this.

Now, I asked for the numbers off your 650's regulator/rectifier... and that is?

Im breahing !! Barely but yes breathing lol asfor the rubber boot you speak of , treeI removed all of the electrical tape from around that .found the wires to my stator .. 2 blu/wht wires 2 yellow/wht wires , 1 green/yellow wire .
I was told here to just ignore one ofthe yellowand white wires and one blueand white wire while doing that stator test ...
So ill put my red lead tester to say the yellow/white wire and the black to the blue/white wire and the numbers on my tester bounce all around but there in the 20 range with multimeter on ac . Then ill put the red meter on the blue white and the black on the green yellow and again numbers are up and down but in the 20 range again .then ill put the red on the green yellow and the black on the yellow/white and I get a reading again but this time closer to 50 , but again the numbers bounce all around . I did this test every way possible . Then tested all the wires over again but with the black and red probes switched ...
As for the number for the rectifier that I picked up for my 650 , im not sure .. it came in a plastic bag with a number written on it . The guy at the cycle salvage shop sold it to me he said it would work with my 650 , and it has it corrected my charging issue on the 650 ..

[lrgguy]

You know you can do this. The majority of people on this site started out where you are, not knowing a lot at all about motorcycles in one area or another. If you can post on this site, you are capable of learning new things you are not comfortable with. The tools are there, all it takes is a willingness to do it and patience. Most of us were dragged kicking and screaming to the realization that we have to be our own mechanics, and most of us have really nice bikes that are reliable and don't cost a lot to maintain.

I thank you for the vote of confidence ... I appreciate that !
& yes I know I can do anything ...
When I purchased my 650 . I new nothing . But found myself at the livingroom table with 4 carbs infront of me .. over the last 2 yrs I have done all the work to my bike myself . Fork seals , carbs , valve shims . Tire change brakes etc .. I guess electrical just isnt my thing !! But willing to give it a shot !! Nothing to lose .

[rustybronco]

Im breahing !! Barely but yes breathing lol asfor the rubber boot you speak of , treeI removed all of the electrical tape from around that .found the wires to my stator .. 2 blu/wht wires 2 yellow/wht wires , 1 green/yellow wire .
I was told here to just ignore one ofthe yellowand white wires and one blueand white wire while doing that stator test ...
So ill put my red lead tester to say the yellow/white wire and the black to the blue/white wire and the numbers on my tester bounce all around but there in the 20 range with multimeter on ac . Then ill put the red meter on the blue white and the black on the green yellow and again numbers are up and down but in the 20 range again .then ill put the red on the green yellow and the black on the yellow/white and I get a reading again but this time closer to 50 , but again the numbers bounce all around . I did this test every way possible . Then tested all the wires over again but with the black and red probes switched ...
As for the number for the rectifier that I picked up for my 650 , im not sure .. it came in a plastic bag with a number written on it . The guy at the cycle salvage shop sold it to me he said it would work with my 650 , and it has it corrected my charging issue on the 650 ..

I'd need to double check the colours of the wires you are probing to be sure, as it's been a while since I last looked. Double yellow sounds correct as I recall.

Now, is your Volt Ohm meter a good unit or a pile of dung? Some of the cheapo meter will bounce around from the voltage going to the spark plugs. Hard to measure A.C. voltages if it's being affected by external forces. I suspect that might be the case in this instance.


Your meter is on the A.C. volts scale above or around 200 V.A.C. correct?

Measure the voltage in a wall outlet of your home. Should be stable around 117 Volts A.C.


Third, if the reg/rec works on your GS650 it will work on your '78 1000.

[OldVet66]

All his color codes are correct except Green/Yellow. It's Green/White, but the wire probably overheated and turned yellow. The yellow wire is also solid yellow. Close enough for government work. Sounds like he might have trouble with noise or improper scales causing erratic meter readings.

[rustybronco]

Thanks Oldvet66, I haven't looked at one in a couple of years. Plus my old one is residing in a certain Kanadian members GK. (And I have one of his to replace what we used to repair his bike)

[lrgguy]

I'd need to double check the colours of the wires you are probing to be sure, as it's been a while since I last looked. Double yellow sounds correct as I recall.

Now, is your Volt Ohm meter a good unit or a pile of dung? Some of the cheapo meter will bounce around from the voltage going to the spark plugs. Hard to measure A.C. voltages if it's being affected by external forces. I suspect that might be the case in this instance.


Your meter is on the A.C. volts scale above or around 200 V.A.C. correct?

Measure the voltage in a wall outlet of your home. Should be stable around 117 Volts A.C.


Third, if the reg/rec works on your GS650 it will work on your '78 1000.

Purchased a new multimeter just yeaterday spent $80 on this one to replacemy oldoneinwhich I paid $19 bucks for .. so its brand new

[lrgguy]

All his color codes are correct except Green/Yellow. It's Green/White, but the wire probably overheated and turned yellow. The yellow wire is also solid yellow. Close enough for government work. Sounds like he might have trouble with noise or improper scales causing erratic meter readings.

Meaning what ? Lol

[lrgguy]

I guess I could try to remove the R/R from my 650 & hook it up on the 1000 ...
Figures I just finnished saudering all the wires and shrink wrapped them all ...
Unless you uave some more suggestions or tests you would like me to attempt todo ?

[rustybronco]

Ok seep rate reg a rec might explain why you are not burning a fuse ( I'm just not that familiar with the set up). Definitely replace that """and""" if short for time order the stator also. Else wait till after testing with a new r/r

Replace R and R with the one from your 650 and retest...

[lrgguy]

Replace R and R with the one from your 650 and retest...

Ok ill give it a shot ... thx again btw for your time

[rustybronco]

I guess I could try to remove the R/R from my 650 & hook it up on the 1000 ...
Figures I just finnished saudering all the wires and shrink wrapped them all ...
Unless you uave some more suggestions or tests you would like me to attempt todo ?

Personally I'd like to see you re-measure the voltage coming out of the stator "without being connected to anything" (out of circuit) @ 5000 rpm.

[lrgguy]

Replace R and R with the one from your 650 and retest...

That may be a bit tricky ... cuzz if I remove the regulator I believe theres 3 wires attached to that .then the rectifier I believe had like 5 or 6 wires coming from that
And the stator had like 5 wires . Its going to get rather confusing !! Not home right now to look at all the wires and colours of the wires