Motorcycle Repair: Charging problem, regulator rectifier, digital multimeter


Question
QUESTION: Can anyone tell me why my bike has a charging problem?
Bran new battery,new starter it runs like sh** headlight flickers spits spudders stalls.Stator or rectifier?
I did a test on the plug for the pulse generator when the bike was warm.It passed the test but one side fails the test when its cold.

ANSWER: Jeff, I'm not sure what you mean by "pulse generator". Nor what "runs like sh**" has to do with regards to the headlight flickering and "stalling". Could you please give me more detail about the problem, including the year, make and model of your bike, along with what modifications have been made to it. I will help you as best as I can, we just need to get me a frame of reference here first.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi sorry about that.1983 vt750 honda shadow.
There is a plud with 4 wires on the left side of the bike goes to the pulse generators located inside the motor on the right side crank.The bike is very hard to start usually have to use a charger to get it started.It  runs rough headlight flickers and eventually dies.Bran new battery and starter.Theres a silicon rectifer in the main wire harness on the right just under the gas tank.
Just it has something to do with converting from ac to dc
Its just a little plug.I was wondering if that can be tested and if its part of the problem.My bike will not go past 12.2 volts while running.Not sure if i should change the stator or rectifier/reg the part with cooling fins?
I tested my stator the 3 yellow wires i got continuity against them then tested the yellow wires to ground got no con
so the book says that sok i dont know
Any ideas

Answer
Ok, Jeff, that helped a lot. The fact that the voltage at the battery terminals does not go above 12V narrows the problem down to the regulator/rectifier and alternator. As you already know the location of the reg/rect, and I assume that you have a digital multimeter, here's what to do...

With the bike running, check the AC voltage coming into the reg/rect from the alternator. You should get around 60VAC at idle (it may be more or less, it all depends on the bike) and it should slowly increase as the motor is slowly revved up. If you do not get any AC voltage, or if you get a small amount that doesn't increase as the motor is revved, your alternator is shot and needs replacing.

If, however, you do get the proper voltage, then the reg/rect unit is blown. The DC voltage at the output side of the reg/rect is supposed to read approx 12-13VDC at idle and should increase up to 14-15VDC as the motor is revved. The reg/rect is the most common component to fail in the charging system, so I would place my bets on that being the problem in your case.