Ironhead Oops

weaverkb · #1 22nd February 2010

So I finally got the bike (74 XLCH) mostly back together after 2 years and wanted to see if it would kick over. Bought a new battery, points
and condenser and used the old coil and mech reg. I hooked up the battery and gave it a good kick. I was amazed that it started on the first try. It ran but ran like crap. No amount of timing adjustment helped it. After I shut it down, I realized that the battery terminals were opposite of my old battery and I had it hooked up backwards. Now, I'm no electronic genius but I know that's not good for it. Now the generator is energized with the key turned off. Anyone have any idea of what this fried so I don't go throwing parts at this to fix it?

72 Ironhead XLH · #2 22nd February 2010

Most likely the reg. got fried or welded the contacts together.Plus you should always "polarize" the gen. AFTER any wires are disconnected and re-connected. Disconnect the battery, replace the reg., hook the battery up correctly, polarize the gen. Then go riding.

weaverkb · #3 26th February 2010

Thanks man. That's one of the things I love about these old bike. Pulled the reg apart and got the contacts separated and it was good to go again.It also helped when I found that both intake valves were way loose.

dr.feltersnatch · #4 26th February 2010

What kind of reg you runnin? I might have one ill give ya

76 sporty · #5 26th February 2010

Ok so this may be a stupid question but how do you polarize the generator

brownskull · #6 26th February 2010

Not a stupid question..... I don't know either. Share the knowledge!

BSkull

Fe Head · #7 26th February 2010

The complete process is found in the Red Technical Sticky's located at the top of the Iron Head Forum's opening page.

I have copied the relevant section on "generator polarizing" here below for you.

The entire section is located here as well.

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=465866

10. Polarizing the Generator - The Complete Story
Contributed by Fe Head and carmine73

1. with the gen on the bench
[i] jumper the gen A to batt +ve
[ii] momentarily jumper from gen F to batt -ve

Note: This can be done the other way around,
[i] jumper gen F to the -ve batt
[ii] momentarily jumper gen A to batt +ve

2. with the gen on the bike, wires not connected
[i] jumper from gen F to a good ground
[ii] momentarily jumper from gen A to batt +ve

Note: This technique is preferred over #3 because the good ground is better than relying on grounding the F thru the reg.
Note: As with #1 this can be done the other way around.

3. with the gen on the bike, all wires connected
[i] momentarily jumper gen A to batt +ve

Note: This is technically the same as techniques #1 and #2 as the F is grounded thru the reg.

4. For bikes with a mechanical reg [1959 to 1977]

Momentarily jumper between BAT and GEN on the reg.

Note: this is technically the same as all of the other techniques as BAT is connected to batt +ve and GEN is connected to gen A.

5. For bikes with a Cycle Electric Generator/Regulator
Contributed by FourCams

All the best as you work through the Sticky's.

Cheers;