Hello to all I have a quick question on the new to me 1990 883 sportster I just picked up. Instead of the bike probably 50 times in the last few weeks that I've owned it just moving it and getting it running good the bike has originally 10,000 miles on it and it was a one owner bike. I have been noticing that it's been getting slower to start. He has a brand-new factory battery in it and it's fully charged as of today. Now for my problem when I start the bike the battery voltage is it 12.5 when I rev the bike a little bit the voltage goes to 12.7v . I have checked all the wiring and nothing is been tampered with and nothing has been disconnected the bike is all original my question is for now can I just charge the battery when I put it away at night and still use the bike without having a problem. Obviously I need to find out what's causing the problem but I just want to know if I can get some rides in with it the way that it is. Thanks

 

Sounds like it's not charging. Check all grounds. Including at engine and regulator (if your year is grounded). Then test regulator and stator output. Had to replace them on my 99. Easy enough. Need a manual for wiring layout, testing and replacing if bad. Otherwise, wasting a lot of time guessing.

 

Just a quick update I did pull the plug on the primary the fluid does not smell burnt and is not black I definitely know the smell of electrical when it's mixed with oil I had a dirtbike that did the same thing. I'm hoping it's just the regulator

 

Most likely the voltage regulator, but you really should verify the output of the stator.

 

Most seem to think if one is bad, you should just replace both. Not really sure. What I did though. Peace of mind.