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Bike keeps dying...

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Georgellc, Sep 30, 2014.

  1. Georgellc

    Georgellc New Member

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    So I just recently finished restoring an 81 xj750. It was having trouble with batter power so I replace the battery and got a brand new one. But when it was running it wouldn't hold a charge, so I got a new alternator stator and alternator rotor. Still didn't work, so I got a new rectifier/regulator. And it worked. Battery was keeping a charge and voltage was increasing when the bike was revved. But then I took it out the other day and I was riding just fine probably went about 20 miles with no problems and then all of the sudden, the bike just wouldn't accelerate. I was in fourth gear going about 40 and it just wouldn't go. So I pulled over and the bike died and it wouldn't start. The battery was completely dead. I have replaced damn near everything in the charging system and it still won't work. No fuses were blown or anything. I did install an aftermarket digital speedometer, could that be pulling too much power from the battery? Does anybody have any advise or insight? Please help.

    Thank you.
     
    Georgellc, Sep 30, 2014
    #1
  2. ecologito

    ecologito Well-Known Member

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    Remember that the alternator starts charging the battery over 3,000 rpm. If you are running your bike at low rpm's and not riding long enough, you may not be giving it enough time to charge. Also check if any components are draining the battery even when it's not running, chances are slim but worth looking into it. You may want to ride with a volt meter attached and see what the battery is doing at different rpm just to make sure that it is charging.
     
    ecologito, Sep 30, 2014
    #2
  3. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    Disclaimer:
    Electricity is magic to me.

    Check you ground (?) connection. On my 650 there is a a connector under the side cover on the opposite side of the battery. It was rather corroded; although I had no electrical issues it looked bad. Gave it a thorough cleaning and coated with die-electric grease.

    Good luck.
     
    Stumplifter, Sep 30, 2014
    #3
  4. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

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    Got a multimeter? You need to test the charging system.

    Gary H.
     
    rocs82650, Sep 30, 2014
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  5. Georgellc

    Georgellc New Member

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    So I tested the charging system with a multimeter. The voltage started around 12 ish. Then I revved it up and the voltage went up to low 14s then while it was still revved, it started dropping and then when I tried giving it gas it just would even rev up any more. Like it was slowly dying, then it just cut off.
     
    Georgellc, Sep 30, 2014
    #5
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Does "replacing damned near everything in the charging system" include the alternator brushes?
     
    k-moe, Sep 30, 2014
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