Motorcycle Repair: charging problems, 1976 honda cb750, honda fours

Question
Hello god I hope you can help me I have changed my battery, stator and rectifier. And I recharged my battery last night and started the bike today I road it for about a hour or 2 then it just died and all lights went dead and would not start so I had to get a jump to make it back home I have a 1976 honda cb750 ss.. Please help me..

Answer
Danny, well I am not god, but might be able to help give you some directions about how to tackle this situation. :>)

Start with a fully charged battery that will pass a load test, then read the info at the first link, then run the diagnostic suggestions at the second link, after you print out the PDF file available there for free.

http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/known-issues/street_4415...

then: http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-...

Of the components you did change, you didn't mention the regulator and the field coil. When you changed your stator, you may have not gotten the field coil connections back together properly... OR your voltage regulator is needing adjustment or replacement. Electrosports has a combo unit that will replace both the rectifier and the regulator with a single electronic unit.

When the charging system is failing, the lights will dim and eventually the ignition system won't get enough voltage to fire the coils. You said that all lights went dead and it would not start, which sounds like it may be a different issue.

A common issue with 1970s Honda fours with the ignition switch in the middle of the handlebars is the ignition switch base coming loose from the switch. There are repair kits to replace the switch base with a new part. When the switch bases fail, a little handlebar movement will pull on the harness connector and the switch base, causing it to come loose internally, which will cause a complete disruption of the electrical system.

If the charging system were failing completely, the jump start would not have lasted very long. If the system is undercharging, then sometimes you can limp home briefly on low voltage. In a worst case scenario, I would be sure to have tools with me and then remove the headlight and unplug the headlight bulb to reduce the voltage draw until you got somewhere safely. Obviously not a night time option.

I hope this is helpful for you,

Bill Silver