2
to corrosion, oxidation, etc. on older motorcycles. When in doubt, remove the connection, clean
with emery cloth and retighten, replacing loose eyelets, grommets, frayed wires, etc.
Optimizing the “Tune-up”
If most of your riding is done in urban Stop-&-Go, you may need to set your voltage as high as 14.4
volts. In no case set the voltage over 14.4 volts ! Doing so will boil off water from the battery,
eventually damaging the battery, and will probably damage other electrical components as well.
For operation where longer duration, higher RPM engine speeds are being used, you may be able
to maintain battery charge voltage with as low as 14.1 volts.
Installation and Adjustment of the Adjustable Voltage Regulator
TURN SCREW ON REGULATOR CLOCKWISE TO INCREASE VOLTAGE AND COUNTER TO
DECREASE VOLTAGE.
The battery must be fully charged; charge up the battery to ensure voltage saturation.
Charging may be accomplished by utilizing a battery charger or running the engine during a ride.
(Idling the engine wil
l not produce enough volts / amps to charge the battery; higher RPM’s such as
during a ride, would be required.)
Check with digital voltmeter across the + and
– battery posts; should read 12.5 volts.
Turn off the engine.
Gain access to the voltage regulator. Gas tank removal may be required.
Remove the old regulator and unplug connector,
Plug connector into new regulator.
Bolting the new voltage regulator back into place is not necessary at this time as access to the
voltage setting screw is required.
The voltage regulator is grounded through the connector plug (-)
Start the engine with the headlamp turned off (or bulb removed).
Increase engine speed to ~ 2500 RPM.
The voltage should increase and stabilize.
When the voltage has stabilized, use a small screwdriver to adjust
the voltage. Turn the small adjustment screw on the back of the
voltage regulator clockwise to increase voltage, and counter
clockwise to decrease the voltage until the desired voltage is obtained.
The voltage should restabilize.
If voltage does continue to slowly increase, it probably means the battery was not fully charged and
or could be fully charged due to it’s condition, and / or due to the charging system’s previous
condition.
Eventually the voltage must stabilize. This needs to be monitored until the voltage is not increasing,
especially past 14.4 volts.
There should be enough gasoline in the carburetor bowls to complete the above voltage
stabilization adjustment. However. if required, re-install gas tank / gas lines, and perform / repeat
with fuel supply in place.
Upon satisfactory voltage stabilization, re-install the voltage regulator with original bolts, replace
fuel tank, etc.
Start the engine and re-verify voltage stability.
Check voltage reading often soon after installation, especially after long rides.
Also check battery fluid level. Ensure your maximum voltage has stability.
