Got a call from one my bros today, electrical problem.
His battery drains while out riding, neutral light stays on.
I'm thinking bad regulator but that neutral light thing got me wondering.

 

Bad battery can cause freaky things like that. I’d check the battery first. In my motorhome, when the battery is bad, the electric steps do freaky things.

 

Agree with dawg

 

First thing I asked, it's new battery. He forgot to check his charging system thinking it was the battery. Ironic part is he was out on a run today, bet he throws the VOM on it next time...*laffs
Appreciate the response, we'll get it figured out.

 

just wondering, what kind of life can one expect from the oem stater? my bike is at 48K miles and still charging ok, years back had one fail on a Suzuki GS1000 at 32K, also an oil submerged stater.

 

On my FXD (1995,) I got about 60,000-65,000 before stator failure. Happened numerous times.
Also, yes, Suzuki stators are in an oil bath. And you're right, they were practically guaranteed to fail, if you rode the bike enough. Oil would short out the charging system.

 

I had one stator failure and two Regulators fail on my 02 FXD. I put a Cycle Electric regulator and still good after 12 years. Year of your buddies bike would have been a little help, the old single phase system was pretty anemic to begin with.

 

I'll have hands on soon enough, then I'll know regulator or the stator. I did get him to throw a VOM on the battery and it is the charging system. Since the neutral light stays on I have to lean towards a bad stator. We'll see.

 

There's good information on the internet for checking the voltage regulator. Though to properly check it you'll need a fairly good electrical meter to check all the functions. A higher end Fluke meter will do it.
I've never had a stator go on any Harley I've had and some of my bikes had high mileage on them (100,000+). I've replaced two voltage regulators.
If it is a voltage regulator, try a Cycle Electric, they're good quality, made in the U.S., and much cheaper than the foreign made Harley unit!
Good luck.

 

I was hopin someone went through the neutral light thing. I say stator. We'll see. You and another post above me suggested the Cycle Electric, TY.
I'll come back, tell you about the green light and the what part of the charging system was bad. Yes? Yes.