How long will it run on just the battery?

[Buffalo Bill]

Hey Guys, Looks like my charging system is not working, I've read the Stator Papers 2 FAQs, so I know what I need to do.
This is my question: How long (time) will my 1981-GS550T run on just the battery before quitting?
I would like to take some test rides now, before a new stator arives.
Thanks.

[chef1366]

A good and fully charged battery a good three hours without headlight of course.

[GQROD]

With headlamp on, almost an hour before you start sputtering, this is witha new battery no more than six months old.

[makenzie71]

I have a giant lawn mower battery in my 750...I can barely get to work (30 miles) before I start having issues.

Charging systems on these bikes are so retarded...I wish we could put an external alternator on them.

[Can_O_Tuna]

I remember that Earl made it from NC back to FL with some kind of tractor battery setup.

[Planecrazy]

I wish we could put an external alternator on them.

You can... I seem to recall a picture of a GS with an alternator several years ago. Don't know what kind was used but I suspect it was something off a small japanese car. Not the prettiest solution, but it's certainly possible.

Regards,

[makenzie71]

Crazy, that's awesome. I'm looking into it but, as of yet, I haven't found a model that's petite enough to really conceal nicely. Also don't know how I'm going to turn the damn thing...do you recal what they spun it with?

[Buffalo Bill]

Thanks!

With headlamp on, almost an hour before you start sputtering, this is witha new battery no more than six months old.

Thanks to you and chef1366, for some useful info. I'm keeping my test rides short until the stator's replaced.

[GQROD]

Thanks to you and chef1366, for some useful info. I'm keeping my test rides short until the stator's replaced.

Good luck with it, i know this from experience tuning my bike after carb rebuild the battery would die after 30 mins to 45 mins of running and at an hour start sputtering only to find that while riding it to get the bugs out it would die, turns out both R/R and Stator were fried thus no charging.

[tone]

At the track running total loss ignition 2 x 6 lap races (around 14 miles) = dead battery