It just occorred to me that this might not be normal...

[uudfourty]

Is it normal on say, an 81 GS550L to lose about 500 RPM whenever the headlight it turned on?

Juuuust wondering if I have some undisclosed wiring problems to attend to. It's done it for the last four years. I never gave it a second thought until today.

[SPARKSS]

Is it normal on say, an 81 GS550L to lose about 500 RPM whenever the headlight it turned on?

Juuuust wondering if I have some undisclosed wiring problems to attend to. It's done it for the last four years. I never gave it a second thought until today.

I'll guess that this happens while sitting at idle. With a stock headlight and mixture correct to a mechanically sound engine, this shouldn't happen or be negligible. Without other information, I'd also guess that your idle mixture might be quite lean....this will be compounded if you have a high current headlight of some sort and/or with other engine problems (weak cylinders etc). If the bike runs acceptably though, it's more of a curiousity - in my opinion.

[TheCafeKid]

My new to me 1100G has a curious effect too. It charges "OK" not perfect, tho i have never had it crap out on me, or fail to start, but at idle when its still warming up, the light gets JUST a tad brighter when the throttle is blipped. I notice however, that when its warmed up and running much more smoothly, it doesnt seem to do this anymore, or at least, the change is so minimal i dont notice...

[jimfj]

My GS425 does this all the time. Battery is good and I have played with the carbs extensively. I think it is the same thing that happens when you jump start a car with another. When you hook up the cables and the alternator or load is pulling on the engines available power.

My bike is a 79 and I can shut off my light completly. Rpm goes up when do and the bike smooths out. You might check your reg/rectifier jsut to be sure its working properly.

my .02

Jim

[Junkie]

Yep, it happens. My car doesn't do it for the headlights, but does for the windows or defroster. EFI so it compensates, but it certainly dips for a second.

[Nessism]

A very small rpm drop is normal, but not 500 rpm. Something must be wrong for this to occur.

[chef1366]

Check your battery and do the Stator Papers.

[uudfourty]

M'kay. Thanks.

I'm running lean, but the May 1st paycheck should take care of that.

R/R's doing it's thing. We'll just have to see.