Subject: Generator Woes
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Jun 4, 2001, 5:56 AM
Post ID: 1706980612
Hello All,
Finally got a chance to work on the bike this weekend. Got the new
starter installed and thus far that hesitation while cranking has ceased
- will have to get her out for a ride to check that she cranks OK after
she warms up. Also installed the re-chromed saddle bag rack and
re-painted saddle bags, looking good! I followed some of your
recommendations on checking why the gen warning light was not going off
and found bad things. The battery was 12.5 volts with bike off and 12.5
with bike on and revving the engine, not good!! I checked the terminals
on the voltage regulator and that was even more scary. The left most
terminal I believe was my D+. When I checked this wire to the ground
wire (which is connected to the left of this terminal on the regulator
mounting bracket), I was getting less than 5 volts! I then checked the
middle terminal (white wire coming from the generator) and was getting
no reading. The right most terminal is connected to the battery and the
reading was 12.5 volts. So, sounds like my generator crapped out??
Strange as it seemed to be working fine prior to all of the work I had
done. A new belt was also installed during the tune-up process. Can it
be that the gen decided to crap out just like that? Perhaps the brushes
are corroded? I'll have to pull the generator and send it to a local
shop for rework I guess. Any other thoughts? Funny, I had just said to
myself, "Everything on this bike has been inspected, repaired, or
replaced, EXCEPT the generator and regulator". Then the gen craps out.
O well, guess by the time I'm done, I'll have a solid machine!
Keith Ruff
71 Police Amabassador - NJ