GT 185 charging issue

[JBDR]

Hi all, recently got a gt 185 two stroke from 1975. It's been a blast to ride around so far. However, It's become apparent that there is a charging issue. If anyone has experience with this issue and hw to fix it, let me know.

[F5 Dave]

How apparent?

Go buy a meter, can be found supercheap, jaycar etc for maybe 30 notes and will serve you well.

Record battery resting voltage. Ideally 12.7V
Start the bike, record voltage. Hmm. I'm going to say 13V
Rev it to say 3000, record voltage. Should get to 14V

It will be a simple 1/2 wave rectifier . Possibly no regulation. Small batteries don't always survive long not in regular use.

A simple conversion to full wave with a regulator would be easy enough with a $10 Chinese copy regulator.

[FJRider]

Hi all, recently got a gt 185 two stroke from 1975. It's been a blast to ride around so far. However, It's become apparent that there is a charging issue. If anyone has experience with this issue and hw to fix it, let me know.

The issue could be the battery. Borrow a battery known to be ok and see if you get the same result.

Or take it to an Auto sparky and define what the actual issue is. Probably best to get him/her to test the battery first. Play the innocent newbie and go from there.

Possible issues could be written in a very long list.

If you know what part the actual issue is caused by ... say so now. More chance of getting the advice/help you need.

[Honest Andy]

yep.......

[F5 Dave]

Hmm. It's not electric start version no? They could run a DC system.

[MarkW]

If my memory serves me correctly Suzuki's GT185 had a pretty unique electrical system in that it ran a generator which also served as the starter. So if a lot of low rpm running was happening the revs didn't get high enough for proper charging to happen. Also from memory there was a red light in the instrument panel that went out when the generator was actually charging the battery. If the headlight was on then 4,000 - 5,000 rpm was needed for the light to go out or stop flickering.

[JBDR]

As far as I'm aware. The bike has a DC gen which doubles as the starter as opposed to an alternator.

[F5 Dave]

Ahh. So same applies for measurement but they may be a bit lower, never worked on DC bike. Check output first before you start worrying about cleaning up generator etc. Connections and earths will need to be top notch when there is little to spare.

So it is electric start? You are very sparse with the details

[FJRider]

If my memory serves me correctly Suzuki's GT185 had a pretty unique electrical system in that it ran a generator which also served as the starter. So if a lot of low rpm running was happening the revs didn't get high enough for proper charging to happen. Also from memory there was a red light in the instrument panel that went out when the generator was actually charging the battery. If the headlight was on then 4,000 - 5,000 rpm was needed for the light to go out or stop flickering.

If the charging system has "Aged" ... it may not be charging much more than what the engine is using, if it is being ridden at low rev's.

[F5 Dave]

Gee. I wonder if there is some way of measuring all this speculation?

[neels]

Does the electric starter work? If not then chances are the generator won't.

If it does, there is a mechanical regulator behind the RH side cover, that's the next place to be looking.

[ellipsis]

Gee. I wonder if there is some way of measuring all this speculation?

...Speculation Meters are available, but depending on whether it be Major Speculation or Minor Speculation may make a difference in what model one may need...just take note of the colour of the testing poles...the brown one is the one that you stick in your arse and the green one is the one you lick... they will give the same readings but one tastes a little odd...