-=> Mark Hofmann wrote to All <=-


 MH> Started having some battery related problems this week with my Harley.
 MH> First noticed different sounding starts - like it was struggling to
 MH> crank.

 MH> Was going to go out with my wife on Friday evening and it wouldn't
 MH> start - just after riding it home from work.

 MH> Since my battery is 8 years old, I figured that was the first place to
 MH> start. Replaced the battery - all was well - at least I thought.

 MH> Went on a long cruize into PA with a friend, stopped for gas, and it
 MH> wouldn't re-start.  Thankfully Progressive Insurance pulled through and
 MH> in 20 minutes, got me a hot shot.

 MH> We then rode straight back home - about a 1 1/2hr trip one way.  Rode
 MH> it straight to the shop where I bought it, since he is going to check
 MH> it out.

 MH> The timing was perfect, as my lights dimmed, odometer went out, check
 MH> engine light came on, just as I was riding down the street to his shop.

 MH> The problem is either the stator or the voltage regulator.  I won't
 MH> know for sure until he checks it out, but I'm just about certain it is
 MH> one of them.

 MH> Since I don't want to get stranded again, I want to make sure someone
 MH> that is an expert checks it.  :)

 MH> At least it happened next to a sub shop, and right next to that was a
 MH> beer distributor.  Got to have a few beers and wait until they arrived
 MH> for the hot-shot.

 MH> It was still a fun ride and had a great time dispite the issue.

 MH> I should know the results tomorrow on what needs to be replaced.

Here are a few tips for checking the stator...

For grounded stator...

Turn off the motorcycle's ignition and disconnect the plug leading from the
voltage regulator to the crankcase. Measure the resistance between one hole on
the stator plug and a known ground point on the motorcycle. Ensure that the
meter is reading resistance on the Rx1 setting. Verify that there is no
continuity between the stator plug and ground. Any reading other than zero
means that your stator is bad. Measure the resistance in between both holes on
the stator plug. The meter should indicate 0.1 to 0.2 ohms across the socket. A
lower resistance means that the stator is bad.

For output....

Start the motorcycle. Leave the plug from the voltage regulator to the
crankcase disconnected. Run the engine at approximately 2,000 RPM. Measure the
AC output from the stator plug with the digital multimeter set to read "Volts
AC". Check that the output is 32-40 volts. If it's not between those two
readings, then replace the alternator.


Voltage regualtor tests as follows.  You're going to need a trouble indicator
light and the multimeter again.

With the regulator unplugged, touch the trouble light to a ground and each of
the pins in the regulator plug one at a time.  The regualtor is bad if the
light comes on for any of the pins.  If no lights come on, then you can do a
voltage output test.  Replug the regualtor, start the motor in neutral and
place the postive and negative leads on the respective battery posts.  Rev to
3300 RPM.  You should get a reading of 14.3-14.7 volts. If not within this
rage, then replace the regulator. 

Hope this helps in the future.  


  


Bill

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