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Author Topic: non export Bullet 350 6volt electrics issues  (Read 388 times)
RGT
Grease Monkey
****
Posts: 400


'94 350 Bullet


« on: November 19, 2009, 01:15:57 AM »

I am just ording manuals but was hoping someone here would know about the 6 volt electrics on a non export model Bullet 350(+/- 1990 model year)
I assume this bike is a positive ground? I ask as the PO(previous owner) had the battery connected with negative ground. It ran well but I don't believe the battery was charging( I have it pulled apart and can't check now, but the bridge rectifier does not ohm out correctly)
I do find that there are wires running from the output of the alternator(before the rectifier) to the headlamp switch. Would this bike use AC for the headlamp? I ask as when the bike does not have the motor running the headlamp works. I am wondering if perhaps the PO changed the wiring on the switch to bring direct battery voltage to the headlamp.
I noticed another funny thing, he had installed a newer model tailight(12volt bulbs too) on the bike and I noticed that the brake light would come on dimmly but that there was no running light. I noticed after I got it home that when the brake light was on I also had a dull glow in my front pilot lamps, he had connected the rear running lamp wire to the brake light bulb case connection, so it was grounding through the running lights......
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The Garbone
Shade Tree
Grand Gearhead
*****
Posts: 3414


.....


« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2009, 09:21:03 AM »

6v non export 1990?  I thought 6volt systems went out of style in the a while before htat.? 

The modern US bikes Run AC to the headlamps but it runs through a regulator.   I thought the older models rad a  DC headlamp.
You could probably pick up a 12v alternator an other regulator/ rectifier bits from India cheap on  ebay and upgrade.

I have a 1949 Tractor that was 6V + ground.  Upgraded it to 12v - ground system for the ease of finding replacement parts and a hotter spark...   One of the problems I had with the 6v system was the fact that it is much more susceptible to bad connections and corrosion..  It does not take that much of a voltage drop for 6volt to get to an unusable level than 12v.    Of course all the old timers on the tractor forum would say "don't need that shit,  just keep it bright and tight.". That is fine if you are retired with your rig in the barn and with the time to polish it once a week,, but for the rest of us......

Sorry for ranting..  I feel better now...
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Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
95 RE Hack
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd
Legal disclaimer * all actions described in this post are fictional *
RGT
Grease Monkey
****
Posts: 400


'94 350 Bullet


« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2009, 10:25:42 AM »

Long term it will probably make sense to upgrade the electrics to a negative ground 12 system. I put it back togethor and ran it.(+ ground and corrected taillight wiring) everything works I am getting some charging but I am only working through half the rectifier so when I have the highbeam on I am showing a discharge even at higher rpms (though less discharge at higher rpm) I am only getting about 6.5 volts, seems like I should be getting a little better than 7, hopefully a full bridge rectifier will correct that.
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stevel
Scooter
**
Posts: 54


« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2009, 08:48:03 PM »

Hi,
I have a 1988-350 bullet that had 6V -ve electrics. It is just not worth stuffing about with.
You are best off buying a new (non ES) harness, new left & right controls, new speedo (the connectors of which are an integral part of the harness wiring, new rectifier/regulator and new 4 wire 12V alternator. The 6V Alternator that you have will actually put enough out for a 12 volt system, but the 4 wire syncs better with the new harness - for example one of the 4 wires is a dedicated feed - through a separate AC regulator - to the headlight. The layour is described on page 143 from memory (or is it 147) in Pete's manual.
Really, the above parts (not including alternator) can br had for not much more than $100.

Good luck
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