Pickup coil- related to battery charging problems?

[Lucien Harpress]

Hopefully, this will be a quick question, with a quick answer.

Could a problem with the pickup coil (semi-broken wire) lead to a charging system that works when it wants to?

Here's a rundown of the story- I've been chasing an electrical problem and a carb problem at the same time for the last few weeks. The carb problem is more or less sorted out (rusty gas tank, easily solved with a few carb cleanings and a new gas tank). The electrical? Not so much. I sent the bike into a shop that charged me 200 bucks to clean a few connections and wash it.

I finally got it back and was able to ride it about a mile up and down the street. It was night, so I had the light on- wouldn't you know, for about 5 seconds it dimmed down nice and dark. Before this it was business as usual- light would get slightly brighter/dimmer, depending on how fast the engine went. Am I wrong in thinking, then, that for those few seconds, my charging system took a dump?

More importantly, could a pickup coil issue be the cause of this? (I'm hoping so, because THAT I know how to fix.)

[79XS11F]

Loss of power while in use is most likely the charging system. When the battery is not being charged during use it becomes a total loose system where the bike will run until it kills the battery. Check the charging system starting with the stator and voltage regulator / converter.
OR .. even better .. take it back to the guys who charged you 200 and have them go over it again.
Rob

[tw1980]

Sounds like you might have connection problems.Measure your battery voltage.It should be close to 14 volts at 2500 rpm.If it checks ok you probably have a bad plug connection.(did you clean up all your plug connectors and apply dialectic grease like the treads say?)If it measures 11-12 volts and doesn't increase when you rev engine you may have a regulator or charging system problem.Also don't forget to check the plugs in the headlight assy.

[slow mo]

hopefully helpful hints

Sounds like you might have connection problems.Measure your battery voltage.It should be close to 14 volts at 2500 rpm.If it checks ok you probably have a bad plug connection.(did you clean up all your plug connectors and apply dialectic grease like the treads say?)If it measures 11-12 volts and doesn't increase when you rev engine you may have a regulator or charging system problem.Also don't forget to check the plugs in the headlight assy.

i had similar problems do all of the above plus check fluid levels in batteryalso check and clean the white connectors behind the fuse pannel;;which by the way if you still have glass fuses convert to spade type; see TC for a new fuse box,,good luck ride safe slow mo!!

[Ken Talbot]

I sent the bike into a shop ... to clean a few connections and wash it.

This probably the source of your occasional headlight dimming. Most likely there's another connection that didn't get cleaned that still needs to get cleaned. With 30 year old wiring and a lot of connectors that have probably never been opened up in those 30 years, you just have to work away at it methodically and clean every connection.

I chased a similar "occasional dim-headlight" problem for a couple of years on SWMBO's 'H. Finding the problem on her bike prompted me to post an article about electrical gremlins

YMMV...