disconnecting battary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
I am thinking flashing the field will not be required because you must have a solid state regulator.
However, I am out of my depth here since it is a 1984 machine, so what do you think Sepixlh?
pg
However, I am out of my depth here since it is a 1984 machine, so what do you think Sepixlh?
pg
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 82
From: nj
Is there any way I can test the gen when the bike is running like a volt meter on the f and a on the gen to make sure what i have before and after I do this. You have to remember that this bike has been changed and I have to track everything down before I do anything I know that this bike has points because I don't have a module and now for the reg I know that it is on the front of the gen now as for as a solid stste how do I know about this Thanks guys for your help
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Yes, here is how you check the output of your generator.....
You need to follow these instructions fully. You will also have to buy yourself an ammeter with a 30 amp rating (if you do not own one now). The type of ammeter I am talking about here is the kind that you can find at an auto parts store.
It is made to fit under the dash like the similar oil pressure gage and voltmeter and costs perhaps $10 to $15. About 1-3/4 to 2 inches in diameter.
A voltmeter will not work. You need an ammeter to check the output.
When you get the reading of 10 or more amps you can be sure the generator output is OK. Less than 10 amps means you have generator problems and must remove the generator to investigate further..........pg
You need to follow these instructions fully. You will also have to buy yourself an ammeter with a 30 amp rating (if you do not own one now). The type of ammeter I am talking about here is the kind that you can find at an auto parts store.
It is made to fit under the dash like the similar oil pressure gage and voltmeter and costs perhaps $10 to $15. About 1-3/4 to 2 inches in diameter.
A voltmeter will not work. You need an ammeter to check the output.
When you get the reading of 10 or more amps you can be sure the generator output is OK. Less than 10 amps means you have generator problems and must remove the generator to investigate further..........pg
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
Where is your oilfilter ? if its in cam gear cover you have alternator. Alternator doesn't require and can't be polarized ( there is rumors that korea leader kim il sung has performed this) :-)
Yes, if you disconnect the battery you have to polarize the generator.
You should remove the points cover from the gearcase cover and check that you do have points or whatever. I would not rely on not being able to find the module as as guide. The original module should be under the side cover next to the battery.
Here are two of the generator tests from the 79 to 85 FM:
1. Residual magnetism test. Remove both A and F wires. connect +ve voltmeter lead to A, -ve lead to ground. Idle motorcycle at 2000 RPM. Should read a minimum of 2 to 2.5 volts.
2. Maximum output test. Remove both A and F wires. connect +ve voltmeter lead to A, -ve lead to ground. Idle motorcycle at 2000 RPM. "Momentarily" [a few seconds, no more than 10!] connect a jumper wire from ground to F. Voltmeter should read 25 to 30 volts.
If these pass the gen is good. If not there are bench tests in the FM that can be done with the gen partially dismantled.
I have heard a couple of times that with an electronic reg you do not need to polarize the battery. From my experience this is not true - although i am not good at understanding electricity stuff and i do not know from any formal training. A couple of time i rode with it not polarized and the gen light came on.
Gen up to 1981 puts out 10 amps. 82 to E84, if it is the original gen, puts out 13 amps.
As already mentioned it is, of course, important to know what you have there. Gen or alternator?
You really do need to get a factory manual before doing any serious work on your bike. It would also be very very useful to have a factory parts book, and even another manual such as the Haynes [best and most photos!] or the Clymer.
You should remove the points cover from the gearcase cover and check that you do have points or whatever. I would not rely on not being able to find the module as as guide. The original module should be under the side cover next to the battery.
Here are two of the generator tests from the 79 to 85 FM:
1. Residual magnetism test. Remove both A and F wires. connect +ve voltmeter lead to A, -ve lead to ground. Idle motorcycle at 2000 RPM. Should read a minimum of 2 to 2.5 volts.
2. Maximum output test. Remove both A and F wires. connect +ve voltmeter lead to A, -ve lead to ground. Idle motorcycle at 2000 RPM. "Momentarily" [a few seconds, no more than 10!] connect a jumper wire from ground to F. Voltmeter should read 25 to 30 volts.
If these pass the gen is good. If not there are bench tests in the FM that can be done with the gen partially dismantled.
I have heard a couple of times that with an electronic reg you do not need to polarize the battery. From my experience this is not true - although i am not good at understanding electricity stuff and i do not know from any formal training. A couple of time i rode with it not polarized and the gen light came on.
Gen up to 1981 puts out 10 amps. 82 to E84, if it is the original gen, puts out 13 amps.
As already mentioned it is, of course, important to know what you have there. Gen or alternator?
You really do need to get a factory manual before doing any serious work on your bike. It would also be very very useful to have a factory parts book, and even another manual such as the Haynes [best and most photos!] or the Clymer.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
I have a 1970 XLCH That I bought brand new,I have changed more than one battery on it and also converted it to electric start about 20 years ago. I have NEVER had to flash the generator on it or any other generator vehicle that I have owned when I disconnected/replaced the battery ( I am 64 and worked at a gas station as a teenager). Ride an Ultra today.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
I have a 1970 XLCH That I bought brand new,I have changed more than one battery on it and also converted it to electric start about 20 years ago. I have NEVER had to flash the generator on it or any other generator vehicle that I have owned when I disconnected/replaced the battery ( I am 64 and worked at a gas station as a teenager). Ride an Ultra today.
If you had known about the possibility of the generator polarity becoming reversed, I guarantee you would have paid more attention to what you were doing, and would have flashed the field every time you had disconnected wiring.
There are multiple warnings throughout a factory service manual regarding this.........pg
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 82
From: nj
This model I not sure, 98glider are you sure that you have generator 84 have both generator and alternator. Company changed it in middle of the year...
Where is your oilfilter ? if its in cam gear cover you have alternator. Alternator doesn't require and can't be polarized ( there is rumors that korea leader kim il sung has performed this) :-)
Where is your oilfilter ? if its in cam gear cover you have alternator. Alternator doesn't require and can't be polarized ( there is rumors that korea leader kim il sung has performed this) :-)