Another PMA/Ignition thread

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Bad picture, apologies. There's no trouble shooting this. I'm not here to argue but I've had several of these and only ONE that ran on the stock charging system. Sure it's how owners treat them and modify. Heat from different pipe setups can melt insulation off of stator windings. Sitting outside or bad barn storage. Go with a PMA. You have more wiring experience than I do! I did recently make a stupid mistake. Make SURE to have the right reg/rec for the PMA. I bought one off of Sparck Moto for $45 that was right. Even with this try to have an old standard battery hooked up to check voltage is 14 or under..
Because it's yet another PMA thread. One of like a thousand on here.
Search button, use it.
People are always bashing on a tried and true charging system and immediately want to replace it with a PMA. Learn to troubleshoot, learn the bike.
Look at the PO's wiring. There could be one loose wire on there and he just spent a ton of money.
 
Guys, the OP (a new member i see), has already ordered a replacement system. That being said, im not sure how taking yet another steaming dump on the PMA swap is at all helpful? :umm:
Right on! Technology is there, upgrades are here. Use em. The wasn't internet back in the 70's when these were manufactured but that's working well for these "old school" guys.....
 
I don't consider a PMA an upgrade though, the way it bleeds off excess charge in the form of heat. That tends to burn components out. I know they came stock on many other bikes but that doesn't mean they're any good. They used them because they're cheap and I think it's a piss-poor design. And many of these other bikes suffer from the same problems as a PMA equipped 650. Read some Suzuki GS forums and you'll see what I mean. They have finally developed a good regulator, that Shindengen series type, but they're not cheap. They can cost you near $200. I put a stone ax simple and reliable automotive regulator on my stock system for less than $20. That won't be happening with a PMA. Even the junk regulators for them, the ones that burn out quickly, are around $40. But you're in it now, you "drank the Kool-Aid" so to speak. I hope it works out OK for you. One thing I'll suggest is to install a voltmeter so you can monitor the charging output (or lack thereof, lol).
 
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Bad picture, apologies. There's no trouble shooting this. I'm not here to argue but I've had several of these and only ONE that ran on the stock charging system. Sure it's how owners treat them and modify.

I'm still trying to figure out why people buy a 40 yr old bike with 40 yr old technology and 40yr old parts and then complain about the antiquated technology, then try to upgrade it by putting dirt bike parts on it. Jesus, go buy a Yamaha Bolt or something.

And if 40 yr old charging is shot, than it's shot. But saying the battery only has 6 volts could be anything. Especially with some hack job wiring.
I had an Anti gravity battery, as the poster did, and it failed within a week. I know this, because I load tested it.
I also know my charging was working because with the bike running at 3500 rpms it was throwing 13v. Simple test.
Sent it back and got a new battery.
I've had 9 XS's in the last 8 years and only one charging system went up and I made my own reg/rec like 5twins for under $20.


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About the only 2 things that I believe need upgraded, just for reliable operations. is the 2 expensive units, the carbs and the ignition. Let me add if they are total junk and can't be save. The other is what is you ability and how much time do you want work on the bike as compared to riding.
 
Just focusing on being helpful. The new Shindengen SH847 series type R/R that 5twins talks about for $199 is pretty grunty. It's rated for 50 amps peak I think, and it's physically quite large which would make mounting difficult. If you can find a used SH775, that's possibly an option (now discontinued). They can be found on eBay as a Polaris Ranger 800 RR for example. Again it's the same size mounting as the ones supplied in most PMA kits. Be aware of copy cat units. New ones for $40 are not made by Shindengen. Anyway, could be a good choice if someone wants to use series technology.
 
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I'm still trying to figure out why people buy a 40 yr old bike with 40 yr old technology and 40yr old parts and then complain about the antiquated technology, then try to upgrade it by putting dirt bike parts on it. Jesus, go buy a Yamaha Bolt or something.

And if 40 yr old charging is shot, than it's shot. But saying the battery only has 6 volts could be anything. Especially with some hack job wiring.
I had an Anti gravity battery, as the poster did, and it failed within a week. I know this, because I load tested it.
I also know my charging was working because with the bike running at 3500 rpms it was throwing 13v. Simple test.
Sent it back and got a new battery.
I've had 9 XS's in the last 8 years and only one charging system went up and I made my own reg/rec like 5twins for under $20.


...
Why not just test resistance between the 3 leads out of the stator without it running? Start there? I can appreciate you being a smartass tho, it's funny.
 
I'm not being a smart ass. I'm just pointing out people trying to upgrade a 40 yr old bike and expecting more from 1960's technology. Just go buy an efi bike and be done with it.

There are tons of posts and videos on here about how to test and fix a bike, but instead people think getting some unit designed for a Yamaha 4 wheeler with subpar chinese parts is going to fix their problems. 1 problem of probably 100. They don't even buy a manual or trust guys who have been wrenching on these bikes since they were new. Nope, just tear it apart, buy some parts and never check other systems, then start a "Help, bike won't run post".....again.
But, to each their own.
 
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Gee, Bill, do you really expect that a guy who's installed a trick $200 battery and a Chiwanese PM alternator because some bling merchant told him it was what to do to go to the trouble of learning how to use a multimeter?
 
yep I have to say I agree with littlebills sentiments . Why buy a used classic bike thats 40+ years old then go and replace everything on it with modern components ?.............well unless you're one of the hack ,cut and custom crowd I suppose and we won't go there will we;)

I like reliability as much as the next person but reliabilty is not going to be top of your list when you decide to buy a 40 year old vehicle is it ! :)

If you want a reliable bike but don't want to, or can't do your own troubleshooting and wrenching then maybe the more sensible option would be to go for a modern retro classic like one of the Triumph range etc

So you replace the carbs and the charging system , the fuse block and the ignition and advance system and then its the swingarm and the bars and the ancient signals and the whole lighting and wiring system whilst you're at it .......where does it end ? when you're left with a new bike I suppose
 
yep I have to say I agree with littlebills sentiments . Why buy a used classic bike thats 40+ years old then go and replace everything on it with modern components ?.............well unless you're one of the hack ,cut and custom crowd I suppose and we won't go there will we;)

I like reliability as much as the next person but reliabilty is not going to be top of your list when you decide to buy a 40 year old vehicle is it ! :)

If you want a reliable bike but don't want to, or can't do your own troubleshooting and wrenching then maybe the more sensible option would be to go for a modern retro classic like one of the Triumph range etc

So you replace the carbs and the charging system , the fuse block and the ignition and advance system and then its the swingarm and the bars and the ancient signals and the whole lighting and wiring system whilst you're at it .......where does it end ? when you're left with a new bike I suppose
Exactly what I've been running into. Bare spots in old wiring harness causing shorts. Starters drawing so many amps thru old wires....(smoke) Might as well start over. All new. Not always, I've had a few good, well kept stock worth staying that way. You should see my next one. It's in really bad shape. I haven't read this whole thread. Did anyone mention he's running lean on the right side? Seems like this happens a lot on these two into one exhaust. I'm thinking of welding AFR bungs in mine just for tune purposes,
 
Mean thread. Im sure the Original Poster feels super welcome. :thumbsup:

Seriously though, why all the venom at anyone who does anything outside stock? It's not just this thread either. It's all the time. It didn't used to be like this. This was a pretty supportive community once. Im not just talking about PMA kits and their pros/cons, but any custom changes.
Fuck just let people do what it is they wanna do. If you dont like it, just ignore it. Go make a coffee or smoke a cig, play some poker online or whatever makes you happy. Otherwise the forum will end up with about 10 people circle jerking each other about how shiny their original 40 year old bikes are. Rant over.
 
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Mean thread. Im sure the Original Poster feels super welcome. :thumbsup:

Seriously though, why all the venom at anyone who does anything outside stock? It's not just this thread either. Its all the time. It didn't used to be like this. It was pretty supportive community once upon a time. Im not just talking about PMA kits and their pros/cons, but any custom changes.
Fuck just let people do what it is they wanna do. If you dont like it, just ignore it. Go make a coffee or smoke a cig, play some poker online or whatever makes you happy. Otherwise the forum will end up with about 10 people circle jerking each other about how shiny their original 40 year old bikes are. Rant over.
I think what we are doing is having a debate .........chewing the fat ,......shooting the breeze , thats what a forum is . I certainly wasn't suggesting that the original poster should follow my suggestions.
There are times when it would be clearer to say 'one' should do this or that ie the third person so that it doesn't sound like its personal or particular to one person but saying 'one' sounds a bit Public School or posh and 'one' wouldn't want to upset the natives would one:)
 
Mean thread. Im sure the Original Poster feels super welcome. :thumbsup:

Seriously though, why all the venom at anyone who does anything outside stock? It's not just this thread either. It's all the time. It didn't used to be like this. This was a pretty supportive community once. Im not just talking about PMA kits and their pros/cons, but any custom changes.
Fuck just let people do what it is they wanna do. If you dont like it, just ignore it. Go make a coffee or smoke a cig, play some poker online or whatever makes you happy. Otherwise the forum will end up with about 10 people circle jerking each other about how shiny their original 40 year old bikes are. Rant over.

Ha ha, agree strongly with these sentiments, its part of the reason I don't log on or comment here much anymore....anyway on with the show.
 
Yeah, I could troubleshoot that wiring, and probably find the problem. Or, this took me 2 evenings to wire up, and I have everything lined up for the parts.

It's easier to do it right than piece it together.
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