Ironhead A place to talk about Ironheads.

generator question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 08:11 AM
  #1  
pyro's Avatar
pyro
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default generator question

what exactly happens if the generator dosn't get flashed. Around midnight last night, I was buttoning up last minute details so I could ride to work today, forgot to flash it, then rode 8 miles to work with a stop in between. Will all be ok if I disconect -batt cable, reconnect, and re-flash?
&nbsp\\;
Rich
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 08:17 AM
  #2  
supr2nr's Avatar
supr2nr
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
Default RE: generator question

You shouldn't have to disconnect wiring.&nbsp\\; Just flash it with a jumper wire as soon as you can.&nbsp\\; It can wear the generator out if you ride to long with out flashing as it will not charge correctly.&nbsp\\; But just take a piece of wire and polarize the generator as soon as you can.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 08:48 AM
  #3  
pyro's Avatar
pyro
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default RE: generator question

Thanks Randy. That't what I figured, I just wanted to be sure. I've allready flashed it so I only went 8-10 miles.
&nbsp\\;
Rich
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2008 | 11:25 PM
  #4  
jtmon75's Avatar
jtmon75
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default RE: generator question

supr2nr,i'm new to this forum i've never heard of flashing a generator.what does it do and how is it done. thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2008 | 11:41 PM
  #5  
supr2nr's Avatar
supr2nr
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: West Tennessee
Default RE: generator question

The actual technical term is called polarizing.&nbsp\\; The purpose of it is just as it sounds to polarize the terminals.&nbsp\\; It "flashes" the terminals into being the correct polarity.&nbsp\\; Without looking I believe the polarize procedure is to touch the Armature lead on the generator to the positive battery post with a jumper wire for a brief second.&nbsp\\; By doing that you have set the armature terminal as the correct postive lead and the field lead as the negative lead.

You have to do it every time you disconnect your battery for any reason.&nbsp\\; Otherwise you stand the chance of burning the points in your voltage regulator.&nbsp\\; That happens and you won't get a succesful charge to your battery when your driving.&nbsp\\;
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2008 | 11:47 PM
  #6  
pyro's Avatar
pyro
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default RE: generator question

The way I understand it, it ensures the the generator has the correct magnetic polarity, whitch is important because you want the battery to get a positive charge, not a negetive one, which will destroy a battery and maybe the generator. Would you think of hooking up a battery charger backwords (red to -, black to +). Page 5-23 of the H.D. service manual (covering 70 - 78 models)&nbsp\\;mentions it, and 5-27 goes into detail about polarizing and how to do it.
&nbsp\\;
Rich
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2008 | 10:16 AM
  #7  
jtmon75's Avatar
jtmon75
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default RE: generator question

thanks for the info.i didn't know this was necesary.i do have the hd manual i'll chack it out.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
exgi
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
Jul 28, 2008 09:49 PM
timberwolfz28
Dyna Glide Models
3
Jul 17, 2008 03:24 PM
2QuietBob
Dyna Glide Models
12
Jul 2, 2008 11:24 AM
rocknrod
Touring Models
1
Jun 16, 2008 03:59 PM
swaite
Touring Models
7
Jun 7, 2008 06:29 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE