Motorcycle Repair: 1983 NIhgthawk 650, regulator rectifier, yellow wires

Question
2 Questions in one : First Exhaust Collars - IS the thinner side goto the head Or the wider end goto the pipe? Anyway, main question is I've just bought and am waiting for a stator for my bike. I know by touching the yellow wires I'm supposed to get at least 50V AC. On my stator I get like nearly 2 or 1.8. I have a parts bike that also seems to be a bad stator. I've replaced the rectifier with no help so I decided it was time for the more expensive stator to try. If I don't get at least the minimum volts could it be the Rotors. I've heard of them demagnetizing. Anxiously awaiting stator and hope it works. Any info would be greatly appreciated. And for the exhaust collars could I use high temp silicone just to seal it up?
Thanks,
Rich Henry

Answer
Well that's an easy one the smaller diameter goes against the flange on the exhaust pipe and the larger diameter is against the clamp.  The stator is a pretty easy thing to check.  Take a VOM and check the resistance between each of the yellow wires.  They should have equal resistance between then and no continuity to ground when it's installed.  If it passes that check it's probably not the stator.

It could be the field coil or the voltage regulator/rectifier.

Regards
Rich