Motorcycle Repair: charging system, harley sportster, bench tests


Question
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Followup To
Question -
1980 harley sportster 1000 xl, 1900 factory original miles. At 1850 miles gen light flickered at 3400 rpm, at 3600 the light stayed constant, drop rpms to 2800 and light went out. After 50 miles the light is constant. Gen bench tests ok(local harley shop), wiring shows continuity, replaced regulator,same problem, run power direct to field and light gets brighter. Let me know if u need anything else tested that I may have missed- thanks-Arnold

Mike... I dont know what test they did on the generator, the service writer(female) simply told me it was charging-Arnold

Answer
Since you have three componets to the charging system and you have replaced the regulator, did you check the battery? If you have a dry cell this will happen.
If the battery is good and with the new regulator then the only problem can be the generator or the light itsself. What you need to do is run the bike with a volt meter hooked to the battery and see if its really putting out voltage. You should have around 13.5 volts at off idle. If you do then either the armature or the brushes are bad in the generator. You can bench test the generator and show good only to find that at certain RPM's it doesnt work.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike