Help for Beginner.

[flyboy667]

I Just purchased a lovely 79 Honda GL500. All is great till I switch the lights on. After a 10 min ride with lights on I dont have enough power to turn the motor to start up if I stop. I have been forced to ride to work and back with lights off and then she holds a charge. I charge battery every night and starts great but as soon as headlight is on I have problems. any help would be much appreciated. Battery looks newish.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Know how to use a meter?

 

[flyboy667]

could learn how but dont own one. would have to take it in to an auto electrician. which costs here in a small town.

 

[trek97]

Buying a meter or paying a mechanic to fix it is stupid.

To fix the issue youre having. You need to...

WALK BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.

Good God man!
I hate to break it to ya...but, No, machines dont last forever.

Now, open your wallet and let the moths out. Buy a digital meter, learn to use it.

 

[xb33bsa]

YER BATTERY IS SHOT,get a new battery AND a digital meter,you will also need a 1 amp charger a car charger will ruin any motorcycle battery
once you have the new battery properly charged exactly as the instructions provide,install it and check the charging voltage with your new 20 doller digital meter

 

[Sonreir]

With said meter you can also measure the resistance on the stator and rotor to check if your alternator is working properly. The regulator/rectifier can be tested (to an extent) as well.

 

[Kamn]

ALso, check the connectors from the stator (3 yellow wires to a whit connector plug) those connections are notorious for get fouled and fried.
And here is some good readings for your specific bike
http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/MotorcycleElectrical/ChargingProblems.htm

 

[flyboy667]

Thank you all for the advice. I will open the moth eaten wallet and purchase a meter and learn how to use it . cheers

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

Thank you all for the advice. I will open the moth eaten wallet and purchase a meter and learn how to use it . cheers

Now if that would have been the first reply to my question, the moths would have never shown up.

Let "us" know when you have the meter and ready to do some probing, someone will tell ya where to go... from there I'm sure. Might start with tracing down a wire diagram from the searchy button up ^^^ there somewhere.