1974 yamaha xs 650 charging problem....

[Brandon Smith]

if i charge the battery to full the lights will come on and it will run but if i drive it around for like 30 minutes it eventually stops running. first the head light will go out then the other lights slowly die off then the bike sputters about a minute before it will die then i have to charge the battery again to get it running. i know it's my charging system but what component of it would i have to replace? the alternator/stator or rectifier? any help is greatly appreciated as i am a bit of a motorcycle newbie lol

 

[jamesgs4]

you are going to have to troubleshoot each component.
use a manual, here is a link to a free online one
www.biker.net

 

[Brandon Smith]

i already have a manuel for it, i checked it but it doesn't really say how to test them to see which one is broke. would a loose wire or disconnected wire cause this to happen? or would that just stop the whole bike from not working?

 

[KevC]

Have a look at Curlys charging system trouble shooting guide over at the "garage" HERE