battery or rectifier

[spunky1976]

my head light goes dim then bright(normal) when indicators are on same with neutral light too. i' thinking it could just be the battery it looks really old and i have no receipts for it in any of the documents i got with bike 2 years ago, but there is this little niggling thought that it may be the rectifier

[Guest]

got a multimeter?

[eastanglianbiker]

chances are its the battery not taking the charge like it should due to its age but test input first 12 volts on tickover 13 to 14 volts at 3000rpm

[Guest]

wot he said

[spunky1976]

thanks i'll go dig the multimeter out later on tonight or tomorrow and test it

[Guest]

Its normal for the light to go brighter when the engine is revved, its showing that the alterator is working.. is the bike starting ok?

[spunky1976]

starting fine just that when indicators are going the light goes dim when thy're on then bright dim bright dim in time with indicators.

[spunky1976]

tested this morning 12v not running, 12.8v tickover and 14.6v at 3000rpm guess the battery starting to feel its age

[Guest]

yep, sounds like it.

[TC]

To Check the Rectifier

Use an Ampmeter check the battery with

1) The engine off

2) The engine running

Then take the bike for a good 20 min run with your lights on, (While the rectifier is working its gets warm and becomes less effecient if its on the way out.)

3) Immediatly check the battery with engine running.

If the reading is low your rectifier is on its way way out.

If its fine you've ruled one more thing out