TOPIC:

I have recently reinstalled my stator but forgot to replace the 3 mounting bolts - (I was scratching my head about the funny noise when I noticed the 3 bolts on my work bench!) Yes I felt like a fool! So I trashed my stator and have replaced it with a new one. But now I'm not getting a charge to the battery. Could the damage to the stator caused the rectifier to fail?

1983 KZ1100 LTD.

thanks for help...

You have a regulator/rectifier (not separate units). How did you check and determine it isn't charging your battery? Did you check the battery voltage at idle and at 4K rpm? Did you charge the battery fully before doing this test? Did you check the new stator to ensure it is producing AC?

Thanks for the direction/questions. My multitester wasn't giving me good information and it took me a while to determine that it was in-op. I confirmed that at the battery (and with it charged) there is no increase in voltage from idle to 4000 rpm. I have one of those tach's that you push to button and it changes from rpm's to voltage reading. It does register an increase when I rev the engine from about 12v to 14v, so I assume that the stator is working. Does that make any sense? I have not actually checked the stator wires for output. So if the stator is generating juice (and registering at the tack/meter) and it is not getting to the battery, wouldn't that mean the the regulator/rectifier is shot?
As always, I appreciate the help...

petr

That scenario is very unlikely, but not impossible. According to the 82 1100D diagram, (I don't have a diagram for your exact bike), if you truly have 14v on the gauges, but only 12 on the battery, then it would have to be a bad connection at the battery. The connection would have to be good while starting, then go bad while running... very unlikely.

One possibility is a bad ground. When you take your voltage readings, you are taking them while using the negative post on the battery as your ground, correct? Don't trust any other point as the ground reference.

Hmmm... yes, I'm using the battery negative to the positive. And the bike starts right up. Could it be a bad battery? Though it is relatively new. I'll do some more checking and report back
thanks much...

Found problem! It was the new stator and nothing to do with rectifer/regulator. I assumed (first mistate) that the new stator was all OK. When I started checking connections/circuits/continuity I found that there was continuity between the two battery cables with the battery removed. (which was causing the battery to lose it charge, of course). I followed the short back to the stator and found that I had continuity between the stator leads and the frame/ground. How could this be with a new stator?? After I removed the stator, and checked for continuity between the leads and the core, nothing Then I started examining the back of the stator and found a place where the wires bundle and which appeared to be coming in contact with a rib of the stator cover when it was mounted. This contact point was severe enough to damage the insulation and bring the cover and wires into contact - thus the short. Stator has been sent back to the guy who remanufactured it (bought on ebay)with instructions to send me another stator.

Glad you found the problem.

Good luck with getting a new one!