Harley IronHead Charging Failure on a 1975 Sportster

[@ckelley63]

To polarize you run a jumper wire from the positive side of the battery to the armature side of the generator.

[@spelunkerd]

" in the path of a failing Harley" -- what a great one liner! With an old car the diagnosis was usually made by a driver, who noted the system voltage sag and lights fade. I can see why it would be a more challenging diagnosis on a bike. Why did the quickstart help?

[@americanbadass8826]

just had to polarize/flash my generator it's very easy take jumper cables hook them up to your battery then take the other hot terminal and touch the hot wire on your generator that simple.

[@collegedude1983]

Oldsmob455, how do you test the regulator and alternator or generator? I have a '76 for sure have a charging issue. just wondering the next steps past this video. thanks.

[@shadowdog500]

A generator never works at idle. You have to run that engine up a little before it starts charging.

[@edwardeverson7039]

Thats what mine is doing new battery new Gen ??

[@shadowdog500]

Edward Everson Bring the idle up to about 1000 and the generator should kick on. This is normal for a generator. Those low rpm idles sound good but they are also hell on the push rods and rocker arms because you aren’t getting oil to the top end.

[@bbygrl85848]

what do you think could be wrong i changed the brushes i cant figure it out

[@bbygrl85848]

hey i have an 80 ironhead that looses generating abilities when idleing and the generator light stays on all the time

[@bigmikelongwood3276]

yep I wouldn't have it any other way ..in fact wen I built my late 84 Ironhead which is the first year of that goofy alternator ..I had my machinist mill the cases out an went back to generator ..I love it that way

[@hp11208]

it dont look like a 75,looks newer.

[@edwardeverson7039]

its a 1975 i have one all stock ....

[@harleyironhead7090]

Great video