Engine speed VS Vehicle speed and battery charging.

What is a "normal" engine speed to ensure proper charging of the battery? Ive just had an electrical issue rear its head that resulted in needing to get towed back home. Ill get into that once I replace the fusebox and rule that out, but for now I want to pose this question.

I generally use the "low and slow" approach, oftentimes shifting into 5th at 45mph to keep the revvs down. This puts the engine just below 3000rpm. I know that the alternator doesnt start charging until above 2000rpm. The issue I had seems to be low voltage/dead battery related.

Should I be running out my SECA 750 a lot more than I am? Is 4000 or 5000rpm normal for say, 45 to 50mph? Am I spending too much time in 5th when I should be riding in 3rd? This is my first 4 cylinder sport, as I have always ridden single cylinder or twins where the redline was 4 or 5000rpm MAYBE.

 

do believe about 3k is proper charging rate. and i find 5k is pretty casual RPM it feels good with the responsiveness of the throttle. this is on my xj900 of course.

 

As long as the engine is turning above 2500 RPM the battery is being charged (assuming the stator output is in spec and the voltage regulator is working properly).
Just keep on riding the bike as you like to; that isn't causing your problem (though it isn't as much fun).


Things to check:

Is the battery still capable of taking and holding a full charge?

Is the stator output sufficient?

Is the regulator doing it's job of keeping the DC output below 15 volts?

Are all of the electrical connectors clean and undamaged?

 

I have a bad fusebox, so I wont be able to accurately check those things until my new one arrives from XJForever. I do know that the battery is definitely dead, as jumping the solenoid wont crank the engine.

Just not sure if the dead battery is a result of the crummy connections in the fusebox. The battery is brand new. A new fusebox and a charged battery should answer that.

In the meantime, as I was waiting on my AMA tow truck, I was poking around the bike and decided to remove the #1 sparkplug to peek inside. Whoever did the last plugs decided to cram it in and run it home with an impact. Threads are knackered. So I get to fix that too.

The joys of vintage motorcycling!

 

Vintage? These aren't vintage. Bikes from the 60's are vintage; ours are new! /sarcasm

 

yup i remember going onto the show room floor and picking my bike up! man 83' was a wild time. wait wait crap i was born in 93' my bad :/