Why You Shouldn't Listen To SHADETREE SURGEON!

[@spitescorner]

Do yourself a favor, and get entered to win thsi goldwing! You'll get a warm fuzzy, help some folks in new, and might just win this bike! rafflecreator.com/pages/47938/win-$250000-dream-home

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

I have 113 tickets !!! 👍👍👍

[@anonimous2451]

@@FlipandTheBlueMule Ok, I just got 200. almost a 50/50 shot. Good Luck

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

@Spite's Corner, is it me or is that link for a raffle of a house?

[@simonwagstaff2776]

I’m seeing the house raffle too. No sign of the Raspberry Buffet raffle that I can find…:(

[@McNamaraHerp]

Yea just the raffle for the house here

[@fullmetalcorgi1350]

It's ok Spite, my one night stand also weighed 500lbs.

[@rhyswerner8749]

Damn If only she wasn't such a looker

[@MrPAULONEAL]

So does my one nightstand...

[@rustyshackleford9374]

@@rhyswerner8749 yeah yeah a looker, she’s so big she’s all you can see for a couple blocks

[@toddwebb7521]

Goldwing is almost double that, like your mom

[@aidenmornay]

My commiserations

[@carterhayes946]

Spite, I am proud of what you have accomplished with your channel thus far. I remember when someone said, "Lets get Spite to 10,000 subscribers." Well joke is on him as you are at 110,000 plus and growing rapidly. Keep it up.

[@jackieandleon]

10 k subs is what you need to start getting paid by you tube. It wasn't really a diss or anything. but he was a pos anyway.

[@alexc9434]

And to this day I haven’t watched a single one of that bald headed child’s videos

[@Cabooseified]

Agreed, glad to see him succeed despite Yammie not doing what he said he would do.

[@tomtemple69]

​@@mygi43543better than yammie

[@oldfordguy]

It's common knowledge that this vintage goldwing has an issue with the stator connector wearing out and causing a lot of resistance that will not only not charge the battery efficiently, but if not corrected will burn out the stator from the high current. The cost of replacing the stator would be far more than the Wing would be worth. Most people with this model remove the connector entirely and direct solder the stator to the harness, eliminating the problem.

[@rubo1964]

Did the same to my VFR800 1998. Honda surprisingly installed thin wires coming out of stator and connection to harness was terrible too. Love Honda but wished they did not try saving few pennies on under gauge wires.

[@uberDoward]

Spite, if you've got 13-14v, then the stator is likely ok. In the future, as a fast and dirty test, get all the electronics up and running (high beam, radio, all of that) - and see if you maintain 13.2v @ idle and 13.6v+ @ ~2000 rpm. If so, your electrical charging and battery are probably "good enough". When you've got decent voltage (meaning 12.4+ when not running) and have no electrical output, you are highly likely looking at a poor relay connection. For the Raspberry Buffet, I'd check/clean all the connections coming off the key switch, the kill switch, the starter button, and the starter itself!

[@jyearr6744]

Glad someone said this 👏🏽

[@jimdiamondcoles]

You're contributing to Josh's dream of Forgotten Angels across America. Great job!

[@birddogz545]

Great video Spite, good to see you working with Shadetree and Forgotten Angels.

[@spitescorner]

It's been a long time coming, and it's a great cause

[@nop3noperson]

Love this entire community❤

[@SunyJim]

As someone who started on a 1985 Honda. Bikes of that vintage were not designed to charge at idle. So i'm guessing your stator might be ok. With bikes of this age, it's super important not to sit at idle waiting for someone, or leave the acc on and the lights going when stopped. You only have so much juice in the battery for this, and the janky rebuilt battery maybe has a little less life in it than a new one.

[@triston5540]

Yup.

[@DFX2KX]

Huh. as someone looking to get back into bikes, and broke so looking *cheap*... that's good to know. Wonder how tricky it'd be to beef up the stator, or maybe just slap a solar panel on top of the trunk box to top up a jump-pack while you ride... just in case, lol.

[@ChuckKelleher]

I had an 1986 Suzuki Cavalcade and mine was the same way, did t charge until a certain RPM. I forget the exact RPM but is was 1500 or higher I believe.

[@danielcloutier6431]

The stator is one of the biggest jobs on these bikes. Gotta pull the engine. The plug goes bad alot and burns them out. They make an upgraded stator for them, or lots of people do a "po' boy conversion" and run an alternator off crank pully. I did an upgraded stater and timing belts on one, it's not hard, but is labor intensive.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

1200 gold wings are stator killers. You couldn’t give me one!!

[@moosecat]

Thank you for being part of this giveaway, Spite. I didn't know what Forgotten Angels was all about, so thank you for saying what it is. As somebody who works in a call center for a state Medicaid provider, I can vouch as to how rough some foster care children have it. Many of them are under 18, and having babies of their own and/or have behavioral health and substance use issues, because they know they're nothing but a check to some people.

[@chadmarcellay2339]

For the gl1200, there was something called the poor man’s alternator modification, where you could buy pass the stator problem buy adding this kit. With a little modification, they were using a 1988 Chevy sprint alternator and was belt driven from an added pulley in the center of the timing belt. Guys did this in the 1990’s and it was saving them quite a bit of money.

[@Kumerachips]

Make this a regular feature, do a collab with some other riders, buy random clunkers, fly out and ride home. "Klunker roulette:The long ride home"

[@spitescorner]

I've got others in the pipe!

[@samus4799]

I flew to NY last year, bought a trail 125, and camped my way back home over the course of a week. To GA.

[@Vashan7]

Agreed, these are super fun to watch.

[@sabiti5428]

Roadkill but for motorcycles

[@axelfiraxa]

No

[@Sixbears]

Forgotten Angles is one of the few charities I donate to. I'm on a fixed income but I make the effort because I believe in what they do.

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

I can appreciate the 'Fallen Angels' thing, as I was one of those abused and then forgotten foster kids, from Oregon. Never heard of such a charity. I've recently moved to beautiful Kentucky, because I can afford to live here on disability. Great state for baby-Ninja riding, lots of twisties! Thank you, and great channel!

[@artwallace5925]

My '86 1200 never had tank slap issues. Properly adjusted head bearings and Progressive forks springs are the key.

[@J8zzy]

We fixed one of those in Norway years ago. It was maybe 2008 or something on a roadtrip to Lofoten Norway. It was faulty connector on 3 yellow wires from alternator to the regulator. We fixed the connector and that was it. I think it could have been the same issue. Greetings to the Goldwing owner Jens Furu from Sweden. Hope you are fine and I get to see you again someday. - Jaska from Finland. Ps.Hernekeitto perkele & Pikkalaka Party on the road to the North

[@SubieSpecs]

It's a fine line between just a roadie, and an adventure. Apparently it's about the width of a Goldwing stator.

[@Motodidakt]

Dude, this was one of my favorite videos of yours so far! Comedy, suspense, drama, and action... you had it all covered in this one!

[@naripanlilio5443]

And heart too. Well done

[@danielrobey1759]

The goldwing truly is a great machine. I’ve got a 98 Valkyrie that is a blast to ride and I picked up a 79 gl1000 that I’ve started working on getting it back on the road. It’s crazy how much smaller the early wings were!

[@ducati135]

Another ‘98 Valkyrie owner here - beautiful, smooth and plenty powerful bike for me.

[@digschopper9321]

At 611 lbs, my naked 77 is still a whale

[@TheRomans9Guy]

29:30 “Ah Dallas! One giant highway…leading to an airport. And nothing else.” OMG I live here and that’s so funny!

[@yankeecantrell]

The issue with the gold wing is the carburetor is tuned for Florida salt air and stab and grab gas. When you sat on the bike it ran your credit score and decided it was too high

[@tjclarke4604]

I bought a 1984 Goldie for $500, and the thing runs like a dream. I got it cheap because the seller said the clutch was slipping, so he had a shop replace the clutch (huge job) and then the following season he said he changed his fluids, and the clutch was slipping again. I drove 3 hours to get the damn thing, so I figured I just buy it, trailer it home, then worse case scenario I could scrap it for what I paid. Well, I didn't even get it off the trailer and I noticed something that made me laugh my bag off. The seller had put both washers on the same side of the banjo bolt up at the clutch lever reservoir, blocking the hole that allows the fluid to return from the slave (clutch was stuck in the on or open position as a result). Cool, fixed that, bled the clutch, now the clutch bites like a cobra. Then I figured I would be safe and put a new battery in it. Got a new battery, put it in, rode the bike for a few hours, then it shit the bed. Bike just shut down, no active systems at all when the key was turned to on, just like in your video Spite. Turns out the battery that I got NEW was a chunk of shit right out of the box, it was hooped, didn't hold a charge, didn't support a load. I put the OLD battery back in, which thankfully I had in the saddle bag just in case, and the thing fired right up right away and has been running like a top ever since. That was a year ago. Batteries man, I tell ya, they can be pieces of garbage right out of the package.

[@doglickgreelick]

My neighbor has the same bike. The connectors on the wires from the stator are a point of failure. The easy fix is to remove the connectors and solder the wires direct. We did that to his bike and he has had no problems since. A better fix is to replace the charging system but that is a major job. Good luck.

[@cpuuk]

Watching Shadetree taught me one thing... a buck-fifty PoS GW is propbably going to leave you stranded at some point.

[@spitescorner]

Get a jump pack and a tool kit first lol

[@michaelvick2872]

Also how not to interact with women. Dude is a creep

[@GratefulOverlander]

*PROBABLY

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@michaelvick2872 It's all part of the act...

[@michaelvick2872]

@@MostlyInteresting if it is then it’s not an act I want to see. It’s cringey, and dude comes off as a horndog who gets zero play.

[@luke.p77]

Dude. Your videos are just plain entertaining! Keep up the great content.

[@patrickmalone9380]

Yes he awsome guy .one most natural great guys

[@njmxjunkie3128]

Man that air cooled 2 valve could be a dream bike for me, I’d bet that’s insanely reliable.

[@SLBPerformance]

It has been so far. Almost a year into owning it and it's been relatively low maintenance.

[@njmxjunkie3128]

@@SLBPerformance that’s your bike he road or you have the same one? What kind of miles do you put on your bike? I do about 10k a year or so. Also, does the ducati 2 valve have bucket lifter/ shim style valves or manual adjustment roller rocker valves?

[@SLBPerformance]

@@njmxjunkie3128 I'm Rodney, those were mine. About 4-6k a year per bike. More now that I live up here and the riding is better. It's mechanically opened and closed valves so shims.

[@QuakeGamerROTMG]

Except it's *shudders* Italian

[@njmxjunkie3128]

@@QuakeGamerROTMG that’s okay

[@hvymax]

Back in the 80's I ride my roommates Goldwing from DC to Western Pennsylvania. When the first swarm of bugs exploded on the windshield instead of my face I was hooked!!! My CB750 Superbike became a Dresser.

[@MarcoMartinez_11]

The rotating switch for power is usually crap and so hard to find a new one. Good luck on diagnosing. Great video and keep up the great work.

[@tonywilliams9026]

Hello buddy...thanks for taking me along on your adventure...it seems like all of the 80s Hondas have electrical gremlins...mine was the main fuse that would always go out at least once a month even though nothing was ever found at fault...much love from Ohio

[@chasingghost4499]

I was racing the rain on my last video, I left Houston area late, so by the time I got to Dallas I was outrunning rain north bound, it caught me abt Wagoner OK, but it wasn't too bad. I'm not as worried about rain, as I am hail, in the region of the country we live. I was in such pain! My bike needs a new seat.. then last weekend I just didn't care, I was like, rain drops stinging on my arm, stinging on my neck, really stinging on my neck... im riding in the rain!!! (Actual song my mental state came up with?) .. sometimes, it's just f it, and go. Awesome video dude!! And yes, every trip has an issue, hopefully a minor issue, but there will be an issue...

[@diyhometheater4199]

I think you should post a video on how to push start a bike, it's seriously a much needed skill that may have saved you a hotel stay and some cash on this adventure

[@SuperbikeRescueNetwork]

That was my first thought. I've bumpstarted way too many bikes

[@Motoboo_Marine]

Yo Spite I shit you not I drove across that exact bridge in Oklahoma yesterday and today on my way to my sister's med school graduation in Ft Smith, it is indeed beautiful!

[@deaks25]

Not gonna lie, those night rides in pleasant conditions when there are no other vehicles around and I'm just cruising along with only the headlight and dash is Motorcycle Zen for me. It's the sort of journey when I feel like there are no other vehicles in the entire world and it's just me and my bike with the roads to ourselves. I love those, and a bike as big and comfy, with a massive screen like that is going to be as relaxed as a ride can get. I know Spite was racing the weather but I'm a little jealous of that night segment.

[@MonsieurToffeln]

Given how much this bike changes hands, it might as well be called the peace pipe :D

[@MarcSherwood]

The fellow at the start of the video seems like the type of person who can make a good time of anything.

[@vinnyc365]

Unlike the host.

[@MarcSherwood]

@@vinnyc365 I enjoy his content.

[@vinnyc365]

@@MarcSherwood I do not.

[@Boog8302]

@@vinnyc365 then why are you here?

[@vinnyc365]

@@Boog8302 Wanted to see this guy badmouth the Goldwing.

[@KeViNMCMXXCIX]

Now that's an adventure lol. Glad you made it home safe! With some delay and rain but still. Fun video!

[@1wesleydb]

The day/night shot on the bridge at the lake was good.

[@Knautschfriese]

I can smell a……Dadventure!😅

[@_HippieThugg_]

I heard that in Josh's voice.

[@CrowArchery5150]

Love the souls reference lol. My old sportster has left me hiking multiple miles, and having to fix in random parking lots. Still love it and wont ever sell it. Everybody needs a bike like this not just because of the stories, but it tends to teach you alot along with becoming humbled. Stay safe out there 🤙 FTW.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Western Arkansas has some nice twisty roads. Get behind an older pickup truck and that's your day. But the Ozarks have some great views.

[@RollinwithRoland]

This gonna be a dam good one, I cannot wait for the premiere!!!

[@nursadrn]

Enjoyed this on a lot, very entertaining. It's that epic road trip full of adventure. As all great travel companions go, taking the good and the bad as it comes.

[@neonsamurai1348]

I see Garfield is still hanging out on that motorcycle (if in a slightly different position).

[@spitescorner]

He wasn't sticking to the windshield and I didn't want to lose him. That would've been a national tragedy

[@Romoto828]

What a well done video. The editing, the adventure, the fear of hill people. Makes me want to cross country the SV650.

[@scottn96]

That is an adventure in motorcycling! Glad you got it back.

[@danielrobey1759]

Your stator is likely fine as most of those older bikes are more rpm sensitive to charging output. You should have grabbed a voltmeter to pop into the power outlet

[@artwallace5925]

Stator is actually a known weakness of these 1200's

[@AaronHardinPhoto]

Man, your channel is so, so much better than that yam channel. I'm sure it was a huge stress to start your own thing, but you are doing great.

[@mfarrales9]

1000% agreed!

[@slalomking]

Yammy Nube ?

[@joemamma9642]

laughing hysterically by 2 minutes in. this is why your content is so good. keep it up my guy!

[@danielcloutier6431]

I have a bunch of gl1200s, for the death wobble, check the front fork brace, I had one that was cracked and death wobbled and wollowed around in low speed corners. It can also be caused by worn neck bearings. They are awesome bikes, I kinda fell into them all after watching some shadetree videos. Traded a pair of cx500's for one nicer one, and a 75 dt125 for two others. Just bought an 87 aspencade that's sat for 10 years for $200 with 19k. Also picked up a 2000 gl1500 se for $200 that had a "blown motor" it had a cracked thermostat housing. Old Goldwings are the best value in motorcycling

[@jaratt85]

Something I noticed... you weren't pulling the clutch in on the side of the road.. It was probably just a neutral safety switch.

[@duncanjowett5575]

Doubt there is a neutral safety switch. I have an 84 Aspencade - it certainly doesn't have one. Or a side stand safety switch 😂

[@TrackMania753]

I have an 82 interstate i got from my uncle. Aside from the the 10yo tires it’s a good ride. I’m only 33 and it’s my first bike. 😅

[@MotoMengy]

"Everythings going great!" - Famous last words... 😁

[@RobbieCampbellTattoos]

I have an 84. Same thing happened to me. Left me stranded 170 miles from home. Got it to the shop and my stator was completely smoked. I did a “poor boy alternator” on it. And Boom! 60 Amps. Never have a charging problem again!

[@defiancecycling]

You did the best you could. As a retired state trooper I'm a little disappointed in the AZ trooper's conduct. I'm not why he chose to roll up beside you and allow the interaction to start that way. That certainly wasn't a sound tactic from an officer safety perspective. Not sure if you noticed but he was also a supervisor with the rank of sergeant. I always considered the attitude of drivers or operators before writing a citation. In the end you received some favor with him reducing the speed. Personally, I didn't do that. Instead I would just have written you a warning and said be careful. If you truly want to help someone then help them. Your attitude about the situation says a great deal about you. Well done! Safe travels.

[@thagingerninjer5391]

I wish I knew you were going to be in Arkansas!! There are so many fun roads here, man. Central Arkansas is full of them.

[@PygmyMath]

You can absolutely bump a goldwing, the momentum helps.

[@haneymoto]

Great to see more involved with Forgotten Angels. I know you’re not doing it for praise or recognition. But good on you Spite using your platform to help others.

[@spitescorner]

It's the least I can do, but I feel more good things coming

[@shaneneyome]

The dude driving the van is just shadetree cleaned up for his office job

[@SLBPerformance]

HAHAHA I'll take that compliment.

[@orange3203]

That goldwing stator replacement is not an insignificant job.

[@spitescorner]

Engine out baby! Can't wait...

[@BlakesPipes]

This bike is close to my first father inlaws bike that got me into motorcycles. 1984 Goldwing nice ride! His wife had a 1985. Both over 250,000 miles on each.

[@russwilson4]

On my GW 87 Aspencade, when the stator died,the radio died first and 3 miles later the bike died.

[@jaredalbin5658]

Loved this crusty adventure man! I like adventure content

[@albumgeek]

My favorite video you've done so far!

[@spitescorner]

Probably my favorite one too. This was so much fun to do.

[@trailtrashgarage]

GL1200’s had a rep for throwing stators and it’s a huge pia fix because the engine has to come out. Have fun!

[@joshdupont2209]

Yep. I just did one on mine, then within a couple miles my regulator took a poop. Love it

[@shawnpedersen6330]

Why would you put 87oct in ethanol destroys old motors

[@hvymax]

AAA+RV covers just about anything with 200 miles of towing. Motorcycle, trailer, etc. If your airplane runs out of gas and you land it along a road they'll bring you gas! If you have a jump pack you will never need a jump pack.

[@mattlittle3330]

I love the collaboration with the Swamp Wizard. Good dudes working for a good cause.

[@BW-nd5uc]

Spite please don’t park so close to the shoulder, we don’t want to see you get hurt! Keep up the great work, love your content!

[@KevinCantDrum]

I'm trying to manifest a goldwing into my life. I'm a dad now so it's just natural.

[@spitescorner]

Go get one, they're pretty darn sweet, I'm not gonna lie

[@lancejt]

Walks out of airport… that looks familiar… oh, he’s in northwest Arkansas. Welcome to the area Spite! Hope it took care of you while you were here.

[@daltons3336]

When my brother and i went through the mountains we stayed too long in salida headin to Colorado springs. We also used our gps to see ahead in the dark

[@JustinTorres-mp7zp]

Might want to check the electrical system for a bad ground. Had a bunch of weird electrical gremlins that were solved after locating and fixing a bad ground wire. Had I not caught it when I did, it would’ve melted my ecu

[@hvymax]

I was out on my boat on one of those pitch dark nights. There is a Marine Waze app that guided me 20 miles back to the ramp.

[@Mrspinout007]

I actually learned to ride on my dads 85 limited 'Wing. I still routinely steal it for a 6-8 hour cruise occasionally. Fantastic bikes. Tighten the head bearings down and it will help with some of that wobble.

[@V-max97]

When Shadetree says “Keep it weird” he means literally keep it weird. Like ending up in a random town waiting for a van driven by a stranger.

[@billparker8954]

No bump start try? It looked like you had a little forward slope. I thought that was a try before a tow.

[@JPspinFPV]

As someone who has spent a great deal of time on 2 wheel handling dynamics, I can see that speed wobble it due to a noodly fork. An overhaul will likely help, but something with larger diameter stanchions and stiffer triple tree brackets would be best.

[@KimmoJaskari]

It can also just be a really bad front tire with cupping. My bike started shaking with the original Metzelers as they wore down badly; put on new Avons and absolutely rock solid, I routinely ride it one-handed now.

[@willgallatin2802]

Odd failure on the barge. Shadetree did indeed run the wheels off that ride. He also did some honestly quality repairs on it. That said, Shadetree did own it. His oversize heart is in the right place, but he should always have someone around that has the book for the ride he is tinkering on.

[@darkiee69]

I thought I recognized the Raspberry Beret.

[@uberDoward]

LMAO - Character building experience, Spite!

[@clubdjmarcus]

The goldwing has a parking setting on the ignition lock, just next to the off where you can take out the key. Had my 1500 drain the battery enough to do the same thing multiple times. The rear lights stay on and they will drain the battery in a few minutes if the battery is not 100 fine and charged.

[@theprodigalstranger5259]

That's no stranger he has to be, like, your cousin or something. Definitely a family resemblance there. What I want to know is where did Spites cousin get a right hand drive? It was $10 a year through my insurance for road side assistance and AAA is $50 year no excuse Spite. If I were doing something like this I would have shipped my riding gear, filming equipment, and tool kit to the guys house as not to have to try to get it on a plane.

[@chaseychaseum5366]

Honda has improved their bikes over the years. My '18 wing doesn't start steering wobble until about 43ish.... I've had it dynamic balanced, dyna beads added, steering head torqued to spec, wheel checked for true and new tire attempt as well. It has gotten better, but still there...

[@JRC3334]

What’s that song that starts around 23:40 ? Sounds very red dead redemption ish

[@josephmcgill8164]

the cut to the daytime footage on the same road while the live narration continues and then the cutback to dark goes so hard

[@aidenmornay]

Complete respect for the goldwing,but I love the Ducati

[@orangesonicc]

Having a monster 1200s for more than 3 years now, I can say besides the battery place😂 it is an amazing bike and I love it! Thinking about getting a hypermotard too tough😊

[@SLBPerformance]

It is a great bike that I can put some longer days on. The hyper you sit so on top of it that my hips/abs get tired from fighting the wind but it's still a dream bike haha

[@KimmoJaskari]

Fun and sketchy ride, the kind of stuff you remember and talk about. Some dual action polishing of that paint and general detailing and it's not a bad bike.

[@ram5743]

The link opens to some dream home raffle. Great video by the way.

[@spitescorner]

That's the right link, you get entered to win both

[@psycotria]

You should have push-started the beast. I had to push my '82 KZ1100 with a Vetter fairing up a muddy driveway 3 vertical feet to get to pavement. I then had to push it up the hill a couple hundred feet, turn around and push it back downhill, hit 1st gear and pop the clutch to start up every morning. Of course, it was 34F and raining most mornings. My battery dried out and died due to lack of love.

[@damon20r]

I just realized you were broke down about 5 minutes from my house. Lol

[@justinthomas3696]

Ok all motorcycles aside lol I have to know what it's like to game on that wide monitor?!?!?! Was that like a 42 inch? Oh man I'm jealous 😂

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

GIT ER DUN FOR FORGOTTEN ANGELS !!!

[@denimjez]

That one night stand skit reminds me of barracks life. You just need to get the barracks bunny out of your room, slide a 20 for a cab under the door, and make he the CQ desks problem

[@mymidlifemoto]

I was just thinking of flying from New Orleans to Houston to buy an 86 goldwing sei. Thinking, well Shadetree does it all the time!! I mean, I’ve only been riding for less than a year, and the only motorcycle I’ve ridden is my rebel 500… what could go wrong??

[@spitescorner]

Honestly, it's way more bulletproof than one little brake down. It gave me one problem, and it was only inconvenient because I didn't have my tools

[@aliasfakename2267]

It's definitely not as responsive as the rebel but it's like riding a couch, great for long rides.

[@packgrog]

HELL YEAH! Return of the Raspberry Buffet! Forgotten Angels FTW!

[@grantn4898]

Something I learned quick with my 82 magna, always bring a jumpstart battery.

[@kweenie2086]

the music in your videos is always so on point love the smooth guitar.

[@spitescorner]

Thanks! I spend a ton of time on it.

[@kweenie2086]

@@spitescorner it shows and i really appreciate it

[@oldgeezerproductions]

At my brother's MC shop, a lot of bikes come in with electrical problems. My brother really doesn't understand electricity, so I work on them. I have found that the most common charging system fault is lose battery/frame connectors followed by a failed or failing rectifier/regulator, corroded connectors (sometimes overheated) with a failed stator being rather rare. Of course, a lot of guys think their battery or charging circuit is bad when its the starter motor, but some times it's a frozen engine. We even had a V twin MC with a custom, very high compression engine that had a standard H.D. starter installed. It couldn't put out enough torque, so the bike wouldn't start and continuous trying would run the battery down. The biggest monster starter there is made all the difference. Unless you really understand electricity, it is mandatory that you take it to someone with proper qualifications (who has "The Knack") and not some friend of a cousin who talks big. It takes knowledge to know how to run and interpret tests on the various sub-systems before you can know what is really wrong and then how to fix it. Taking your new-to-you old bike to someone like me to check out and test out the electrical system might be the difference between a reliable bike and a bike that needs to be trailered home.

[@MadM0nkey]

Shadetree surgeon's triumph bobber video is one of my top favorites ever .

[@ShikiKaze]

Older GW are notorious for bad electrical issues due to corrosion on the fuses( both masters or fuseable links) and stator wires/connectors. Trace the wires and check the condition of the harness. A lot of people think they're bulletproof but they're not. This will leave you stranded when you let off the gas and sit at a stop sign. The generator and alternators also are the big issues( always replace one when you get an old GW). Make sure to give it a fairly new battery as well. There is very little issue with the engine. It's mostly bad frame, wheels, or electrical issues. This foes for all the older GW. Pre-1997. I have fixed too many of these for new riders and old here in the Midwest. I may crap on it but it's still one of my favorite bikes to ride. My rule of thumb for owning a old GW is carry spare fuses and a portable jumper.