Xs1100sg

[donebysunday]

Geezer

Have you checked the connections on the regulator itself? They are prone to corrode/melt. Next step then would be to switch regulators.

Well, I cleaned and grounded the regulator, connectors looked good and spotless, made sure they were sealed to the elements. The tach works well now but the voltage at 1000rpm varies from 11.9 to 12.6, if I hold it at 3000rpm it slowly climbs to 13.6 then starts jumping up and back and shows 16.5 max for a split second.
Are there still Geezer reg/rect. units around ?

[skids]

You may be right about the VR being bad. On the other hand, at idle the reading should be relatively constant but should slowly drop as the battery is being taxed. You might want to test again with a different volt meter at 3000 rpms just to be sure.

[DiverRay]

You can still buy a reg from http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/Reg_rec_units.html. Don't forget to check the connection behind the fuse block! White 4 pin, IIRC, that will get hot and melt if there is any corrosion on the pins.
Also, put a new battery in the VOM and recheck. I've had goofy readings from low batteries send me in circles....

[donebysunday]

You can still buy a reg from http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/Reg_rec_units.html. Don't forget to check the connection behind the fuse block! White 4 pin, IIRC, that will get hot and melt if there is any corrosion on the pins.
Also, put a new battery in the VOM and recheck. I've had goofy readings from low batteries send me in circles....

Yes I did the connectors behind the fuse block even though they looked new. A new battery is on the way shortly, I have a good used in the XS650 I could try but new is here shortly, so I wait.

You may be right about the VR being bad. On the other hand, at idle the reading should be relatively constant but should slowly drop as the battery is being taxed. You might want to test again with a different volt meter at 3000 rpms just to be sure.
__________________
Skids (Sid Hansen)

Done, and the same only this time it went up to 17.6V, wow I thought the entire system would blow all lights and whatever else. Tach now works consistently. I'll have to do a video of this thing running, sweet.

[DiverRay]

I was talking about the VOM battery! I've had a weak battery in the VOM give me all kinds of readings, and none correct!

[skids]

I was talking about the VOM battery! I've had a weak battery in the VOM give me all kinds of readings, and none correct!

I was also talking about screwing multi meter readings, and that the readings at idle SHOULD be fairly steady because basically you are only going to get battery voltage at idle. The alternator isn’t making excessive voltage for the VR to do anything. So yes, try replacing the battery in it and recheck to bike at 3500 rpms or thereabouts. OR, try a different meter.

[donebysunday]

I was talking about the VOM battery! I've had a weak battery in the VOM give me all kinds of readings, and none correct!

You are correct, checked the batteries in my little pocket VOM, with my larger VOM, not dead but down 15-20%, I put in fresh. Still I could see the lights get crazy bright and then dim as the voltage fluctuated.
Check again shows 11.9 at idle and went up to 13.6 at 3500, then the tach quite again, so no charge and could not get it to come back.
Tried the other VOM and the charging comes back along with the tach. At 1500rpm., 13.6V, 3000-3500rpm 16.5V. I Sure come up with some crazy things going on.

[DiverRay]

Just for fun, look at the left rear of the engine. There is a large wire on the middle drive that goes to the frame. Loosen the bolts to remove the wire, clean both ends and the frame/engine connection points, and bolt it back again. I would also check the negative wire from the battery to the frame. I usually smear just a little anti-seize on all ground connections to keep them from oxidizing.
This is about the last thing before the reg/rec, and we all know that is probably the problem.

[donebysunday]

Just for fun, look at the left rear of the engine. There is a large wire on the middle drive that goes to the frame. Loosen the bolts to remove the wire, clean both ends and the frame/engine connection points, and bolt it back again. I would also check the negative wire from the battery to the frame. I usually smear just a little anti-seize on all ground connections to keep them from oxidizing.
This is about the last thing before the reg/rec, and we all know that is probably the problem.

Guess it's a good thing I have some charging although erratic to me that says at least the alternator is putting out, the dang regulator just doesn't control the output as it should. I pulled these grounds and put anti-seize on them, did not make a difference but should be done anyway.
Steve stopped by with his 81, we compared alternator output and both were the same so the alternator is doing what it should, YEAH. A regulator is on the way.
Found some more parts for the battery box in (believe it or not) one of my bins of XS650 parts, a battery tray and hold down with strap of course no rubber pad for the retainer.
Also found most of the parts for the airbox, what's still missing, the screws and one of the two sided nuts that hold the top together and also receive the threaded thumb screws to hold the bottom to the top.
I'm going to try to make one of these nuts I just wonder, has anyone has ever done this ? Maybe give me some pointers/tips ?
T.I.A. Done

[DiverRay]

Before you try and make one, let me look in my pats bin. I MAY have a few spares from an old airbox that is no longer with us.

[donebysunday]

Before you try and make one, let me look in my pats bin. I MAY have a few spares from an old airbox that is no longer with us.

I won't get my hopes up, but if you find and can part with one of these that would save me from this, a bunch of travel time, cost of having a guy I know mig tack weld two 6mm nuts to a machine sleeve with a washer on one end that I'll need to grind down to a hex head like the original.
I do have my fingers crossed ! };-) Done

P.S. where do I send the million dollars ?

[DiverRay]

If I have one, the million dollars should be sent to the next owner in need of a part...

[donebysunday]

If I have one, the million dollars should be sent to the next owner in need of a part...

Like me would not the next owner in need of a part, want the part and not the million dollars ?
Or would the million dollars get him/her the part ?

ah so, Confucius help me !

[DiverRay]

Just help the next owner with his need, if you have the part.
You are learning, grasshopper....

[red bandit]

Not sure if you found what you need. I have at least one of the nuts and all 4 of the thumb screws with hair pins that hold the bottom to the top. I might have more parts. Let me know if you still need them.