QuestionI have a 1980 honda goldwing gl 1100, and while i have the battery hooked up the bike will start, but then after having it running it slowly dies out. I'm guessing the issue is with the stator on the bike, from what i know that is the equivalent of an alternator. How hard is it to replace these, I am a mechanic, but on cars, would you advise doing this myself, and what do i do to fix it. with jumper cables on, it'll run and run, but as soon as i take them off, it dies. that was also the old battery. would a fully shot battery cause it to not stay running even after the bike is started? Where should i start in the trouble shooting process.
AnswerSteven,
yes, a bad battery could be trouble.
The battery should be charged fully
and connected at all times.
Also check the fuses.
The voltage with a good battery
should read 13-14 volts at 3000 rpm.
If not, try disconnecting the black
wire on the regulator and see if it goes
up. If it does, the regulator may be faulty.
The problem is sometimes the connectors
under the left side cover. These can be cut and soldered
if bad.
Just left of the battery is a connector
with 3 yellow wires in it.
This is the stator output.
Unplug it and check the the 3 yellows
for continuity between all 3 wires.
There should be no connection to ground
on any of them.
While unplugged and running the "AC" voltage between
these wires is over 50 volts (multimeter set on "AC")
The engine has to be removed to change the stator coil.
It can be done but a shop manual is needed.
If you look around on the internet some people
have converted these bikes to using a small external
alternator. There may be kits made to convert
the front pulley for this by someone.
http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Alternator/alternator.htm
