82 gl1100 Aspencade charging issues

[pinski]

I purchased this bike knowing there was a charging issue, but I couldn't pass up an 82 with 27k miles for $600. I figured with mom's boyfriend's assistance (mechanical engineer/old motorcycle fanatic) and a couple hundred bucks investment I will have a kickass machine.

So, I sorted out there was in fact a charging issue a few weeks ago. Took a beautiful ride with a freshly charged battery, got stranded at my office when I went inside to pick up my check and the bike wouldn't start. Jumped her and eventually got home.

I purchased a new rectifier, because I've had Yamahas with similar issues and that solved the problem. Last night, I took the battery to get tested. It came back with a weird code, so the clerk swapped it out since it was still in the 90 day period. Today, I went out to the garage to test the stator.

When I got there, I couldn't find te connector to unplug the stator from the wiring harness. Turns out, someone soldered the wires together instead of using the connector. Not sure who/why. I cut the connection, because I figure I can put some sort of connection on when I get to that point.


With the multimeter and my Clymer's, I think I have figured out that there is an open circuit. I anticipate that means I will be pulling the motor in the near future. Peter (engineer/bike nut mentioned earlier) said something about bypassing a coil, which sounds like something the engine would have to be cracke for, so I would think replacing or rewinding would be the better route anyway.

 

[backyardtrouble]

The wires being solder are ok, even more so a better connection, as long as they were covered with shrink tubing to keep from touching ground. IF they were not covered with anything, then that is another problem and may have caused your charging system to fail from grounding out. I would replace the stator if your sure it is bad. Never heard of bypassing a coil, even though it may can be done, but you want be gettting your full current as designed for charging and running your lights...NIce looking bike for 600...hope it all goes well for you.

 

[Ansimp]

I assume he means to drop a phase unfortunately each phase drops .6 of volt so the battery won't fully charge when running only 2 phases