AceofSpades
XS650 Addict
Hey everyone,
I just picked up an 81 Heritage Special. Got it really cheap, and now I know why.
The PO claimed (but had no proof) that he had the alternator rebuilt before having idle problems. Well, I pulled it out of his barn, got it home and started looking things over.Everything looked pretty much stock, if not original. Took a chance, dropped in a good hot battery, and poured in a half gallon of Marathon's best, and it started up and settled right into a smooth idle. The first test ride was limited to about 3 miles, all good!
Second ride was about 16 miles, with multiple stops (engine off) and still all seemed good.. Hell, even the OEM horn still worked!
Yesterday, I decided to ride it to work (I work evenings) about 7 miles one way. I had a couple minor diversions, but by the time I got to work, the turn signals, horn, and lights were fading... and the engine started running rougher... by the time I got to work, the battery was dead, and I had almost no light at all. I swapped in another hot battery, and it rode home (in the dark) just fine, and everything worked perfectly...
So I am looking for most likely culprits to a charging issue. I hope I can get it straighted out for very little cash outlay... I know things can get pretty expensive trying to save a stock charging system. I have a regulator and a rectifier off another 81 (unknown condition) how can I test these pieces? Could it be corrosion in the alternator itself? just a fuse?
I have a clymer, and I have to refer to it, I am sure.... but thought I would get some opinions from those that actually deal with these machines on a regular basis.
I plan on testing today, to see if it is charging at all, I have about a week to get this thing right... help me, please.....
I just picked up an 81 Heritage Special. Got it really cheap, and now I know why.
The PO claimed (but had no proof) that he had the alternator rebuilt before having idle problems. Well, I pulled it out of his barn, got it home and started looking things over.Everything looked pretty much stock, if not original. Took a chance, dropped in a good hot battery, and poured in a half gallon of Marathon's best, and it started up and settled right into a smooth idle. The first test ride was limited to about 3 miles, all good!
Second ride was about 16 miles, with multiple stops (engine off) and still all seemed good.. Hell, even the OEM horn still worked!
Yesterday, I decided to ride it to work (I work evenings) about 7 miles one way. I had a couple minor diversions, but by the time I got to work, the turn signals, horn, and lights were fading... and the engine started running rougher... by the time I got to work, the battery was dead, and I had almost no light at all. I swapped in another hot battery, and it rode home (in the dark) just fine, and everything worked perfectly...
So I am looking for most likely culprits to a charging issue. I hope I can get it straighted out for very little cash outlay... I know things can get pretty expensive trying to save a stock charging system. I have a regulator and a rectifier off another 81 (unknown condition) how can I test these pieces? Could it be corrosion in the alternator itself? just a fuse?
I have a clymer, and I have to refer to it, I am sure.... but thought I would get some opinions from those that actually deal with these machines on a regular basis.
I plan on testing today, to see if it is charging at all, I have about a week to get this thing right... help me, please.....