Motorcycle Repair: Charging System, side terminal, bill silver

Question
Hi Bill.  I am the original owner of a 1983 Honda CB650SC with only 5,700 miles.  I hardly ever ride, and I would let the battery die.  Instead of being patient and charging the battery I would jump start it with my car using the positive side terminal of the starter motor.  Now it will not charge the battery and I will get about 50 miles on a new battery before it dies.  I have been to two different dealers to try to correct the charging system but they both say that it is working properly.  I feel there is something that I fried when I jump started it that is being overlooked.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thank you, Harry.

Answer
Starting with a fully charged battery, evaluate the current output with an ammeter and monitor the voltage with a volt meter.

Your bike could have a damaged ground wire from the car jumping attempts... really not a good idea ever for a motorcycle!

I would check it for any damaged/sticking brushes and be sure that someone checks the rectifier/regulator carefully out of the bike. Long shot possibilities are that the rotor has sheared the locating key and is spinning on the end of the crankshaft at higher speeds or that the rotor is defective and goes into an open circuit when it warms up from engine heat.

Check the www.electrexusa.com site for more details on troubleshooting your bike.

Bill Silver