bike shuts off while riding and can't start up again battery dead

[i2no0nothing]

i just recently bought a xs650 special and i've had all kind of problems with it. first carbs not tuned right, second gas running out of air filters, and now bike shuts off after riding for about hour and no power battery is to low to charge system. can't even kick start. also, front head light is now out . please anyone, i need some help???

[Fire2235fighter]

you will hear more from others but i've head the oem alternaters/generaters are junk i just bought a 80' xs650 special 1 month ago havent had any probs out of the charging system knock on wood lol

[xs650mike]

Ok, gas running out of air filters indicates too high carb float level or bad float needle valves. More likely is that there's some dirt stuck between the needles and seats. Do you have a shop manual for your bike, Clymer or Haynes? I recommend the Haynes over Clymers but whatever you can get. What year is your bike? There is a support group for these bikes. I'm thinking you may have a bad voltage regulator or possibly need alternator brushes. The alternators are not junk as Firefighter has heard, they're just as good as the XS11 but they do need maintenance at times. I'll ping you a private message with contact info for the Micapeak XS650 List where you will find all the expert help you need to get your XS650 purring like a kitten. The XS650 is a solid machine and as reliable as any bike made with a little TLC.

[prometheus578]

Mine's prone to electrical probs... like an 1100. headlight.. sometime yes, sometimes, no. Jiggle the fuse box... she works again.

battery is to low to charge system.

Battery doesn't charge system... system charges the battery.
You may have charging probs.... is why the bike runs for an hour (running offa the battery), and then dies when the juioce gets too low. Might not be major electrical components, but merely corroded terminals and connections.

[Geezer]

There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the charging system that would cause this but I'd check the alternator brushes first...

Geezer

[strom]

Hmmm.... maybe just a wire that popped off the alternator... check all connectors and remember.... WD40 is your friend.
Check the charging system. Use a voltmeter on the battery while the engine is running. If it's OK (13-14V), jiggle the cables and stuff. Check for XSive power consumtion. Extra lights, stuff like that?

LP