Electrical problems can pop up at any
time and can seem hard to fix but they
really aren't. Most of the time, anyway.
Most everything can be "Proved"
(tested) with an Ohmmeter and a some
things can be proved with a simple
circuit tester.
Understanding the motorcycle electric
system is so important. It will help you
understand and discover why something
isn't working (without having to strip the
bike). Here is a quick useful overview
which might be handy in troubled times.
A Rectifier-Regulator is a standard part
of the electrical charging circuitry on
most recent (whatever that means)
motorcycles. It differs from the usual
automotive charging circuit primarily by
its use of a shunt regulator,
which "soaks up" excess electricity
instead of preventing its formation in the
first place.
Anecdotal evidence suggested that the
rectifier/regulator was running very
hot, and the frame around the unit was
also very hot although it was unsure if
it was the frame that was heating up the
rectifier/regulator or vice versa.
