Motorcycle Repair: charging system, generator light, meter check

Question
At Christmas last year I bought myself a 1973 sporster xlch. It had been sitting for a couple years so I had to put a new battery in it. Every since then my generator light stays on all the time. A friend of mine said that I need to polarize my system? I have the manuel that came with the bike but I just sit there scratching my head. I love my dream bike and I would appreciate any help or advice that you could give me.
                          
                            Thank You,
                               Ted Landin

Answer
To polarize the generator you need a short piece of wire. Momentarily touch the wire on the regulator at the BAT and GEn post. That will polarize the generator. Start the bike and with a volt meter check at the battery for the voltage. At 2000 RPM you should be getting around 13.5 volts. If not then you probaby have a bad regulator.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike