Bikers Workshop Series

Part 20; GL1200 Stator Testing.

By Neil ( forum name-ccsailor).
 

Get a digital voltmeter that measures A/C and DC as well as resistance.

Pull battery cover (left side) off and put bike on centre stand. 

Have battery load tested at battery shop if OK charge overnight measure DC volts straight across battery after charge should be about 13.5-13.9 VDC. Reinstall battery.

On the left side of the battery you will see three yellow wires either going to a plug or wired straight thru by previous owner.

Start the bike.

Disconnect the plug OR cut the three yellow wires one at a time VERY important ONE at a time mark wires A; B: C; You have to disconnect to get true readings. If left connected a lot of other problems could mislead you. Clean wires leading to stator by about ½ inch. You will be soldering later.

This will not hurt the bike in anyway. It will run on the battery.

Put meter on A/C scale across any combination A-B; B-C; A-C   rev bike to 3000 RPM. You should see 45 to 60 volts A/C across any of above combination.

If OK shut bike off measure on resistance scale (50K is good) from each of three wires to ground It should be infinite EG open must not have any shorts to ground.

Measure from A-B;  B:-C;  A:-C; measurement should be in the vicinity of 1.2 ohms on any of the legs.

If all measurements are ok (volts and resistance) your stator is good.

Bad News Scenarios;

1         A/C volts under 40 V A/C (with wires disconnected and at 3000 RPM).

2         Any leg  A:  B: or C: shorted to ground  (Low or no resistance  to ground).

3         Any combination A:-B:  B:-C:  A:-C:  open (infinite resistance).

If stator is bad you may consider the alternator alternative See separate post on that subject.

Or it entails pulling engine to replace stator.

If you have the plug cut it out and solder each of the three yellow wires straight thru cover with heat shrink. Follow wiring all the way down to where it enters engine(under sleeve) just to make sure there are no other hidden splices (throw the plug at the neighbour’s cat or some thing it’s a piece of crap).

While you are in the area it is recommended that you change the fuseable link (30 amp main fuse) to a heavy-duty fuse holder with bayonet style fuses. These old fuses have a tendency to corrode and fail at the worst times leaving you with a dead bike.

 

Start bike with meter still attached to battery voltage will go down while cranking over but should come back up to 13 VDC plus when you rev bike turn on Hi Beams volt should drop slightly but still be over 13 VDC if not e.g. 11 to 11.5 DC, replace regulator, 10 min job (lots on ebay).

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