Electrical problems with Chief

[TChief]

I suspect the problem was the sealed battery. I have replaced it with an acid based and all appears well. I want to say that with my fingers crossed as the weather is not hospitable to riding right now and can't get any miles on the bike to check. But all of your suggestions have been very helpful! TCHIEF

[Coolbreeze]

The advantages of 12v are entirely convenience, as bulbs are everywhere, and often batteries can be found on the shelf.
The wiring doesn't have to be so youthful, or heavy duty, either.

....Cotten

Is it possible that a 12V system will give a hotter spark? If so, that might make for easier starting and smoother low speed running.

[tfburke3]

I'll try these jpgs but I think they're too big also
[ATTACH=CONFIG]23198[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]23199[/ATTACH

Another try

[ATTACH=CONFIG]23201[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]23202[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the generator info and the literature pics to document years available.Always cool to see old factory print.
Tom
Tom

[T. Cotten]

You're saying that you get a 6 Volt halogen bulb or an LED into a Motolamp shell? How? I could certainly use more light as I get old-as-hell.

Now that you mention it, Bob!

I have a John Brown on my Chief with the reflector cut out of something modern, and yeah, an H4 socket.

That was easy; fixin' the fossil bezel wasn't.

...Cotten
PS: I still think I can see better with a sealed beam than a halogen.

[cdf6333]

You're saying that you get a 6 Volt halogen bulb or an LED into a Motolamp shell? How? I could certainly use more light as I get old-as-hell.

[cdf6333]

I'll try these jpgs but I think they're too big also
[ATTACH=CONFIG]23199[/ATTACH

Another try

gen id.jpggen id0001.jpg

[cdf6333]

Yes I is. It was a $5 option most of those years. Slightly different regulator in 1948 and up to accommodate the idiot light, but mechanically the same.
I attach a Service Shot in the next post

[tfburke3]

Just a quick note but I and all my restored Chief friends regularly get 40-50,000 miles out of a properly restored Autolite 6 Volt generator. I don't really see the reason to go 12 volts unless you ride a lot at night and need a brighter headlight than the "night light" of Indians. When I say restored generator I mean a rewound armature, new wiring and probably new field coils. Regulators were optional on ALL models after 1936 which used the 2 wire generators. But these systems were designed for large lead acid batteries not the mini alarm system batteries that some people are using. That new electronic voltage regulator is a great, though expensive, safety play if using a small battery as it controls voltage much faster than the old Autolite regulator. BTW, I used to rebuild a lot of them for friends on the East Coast, just stopped recently.

Hey Bob,I thought the regulator was introduced as a new feature in 48.I assume this also included the new tow wire generator.
Are you saying the 48 package was available as an option post 36?
Thanks
Tom

[T. Cotten]

Just a quick note but I and all my restored Chief friends regularly get 40-50,000 miles out of a properly restored Autolite 6 Volt generator. I don't really see the reason to go 12 volts unless you ride a lot at night and need a brighter headlight than the "night light" of Indians. When I say restored generator I mean a rewound armature, new wiring and probably new field coils. Regulators were optional on ALL models after 1936 which used the 2 wire generators. But these systems were designed for large lead acid batteries not the mini alarm system batteries that some people are using. That new electronic voltage regulator is a great, though expensive, safety play if using a small battery as it controls voltage much faster than the old Autolite regulator. BTW, I used to rebuild a lot of them for friends on the East Coast, just stopped recently.

Golly, Bob!

Properly working 6v generator systems always seemed to have just as bright of headlights as 12v systems.
When 6v halogens came out, I couldn't tell what was coming at me.
(LEDs gotta be even better, right?)

The advantages of 12v are entirely convenience, as bulbs are everywhere, and often batteries can be found on the shelf.
The wiring doesn't have to be so youthful, or heavy duty, either.

So I agree, there is little reason to convert if you have most of the 6v hardware already.
And no reason if it works!

....Cotten

[cdf6333]

Just a quick note but I and all my restored Chief friends regularly get 40-50,000 miles out of a properly restored Autolite 6 Volt generator. I don't really see the reason to go 12 volts unless you ride a lot at night and need a brighter headlight than the "night light" of Indians. When I say restored generator I mean a rewound armature, new wiring and probably new field coils. Regulators were optional on ALL models after 1936 which used the 2 wire generators. But these systems were designed for large lead acid batteries not the mini alarm system batteries that some people are using. That new electronic voltage regulator is a great, though expensive, safety play if using a small battery as it controls voltage much faster than the old Autolite regulator. BTW, I used to rebuild a lot of them for friends on the East Coast, just stopped recently.

[Coolbreeze]

BTW, I agree with Cotten that the CE end mount regulator generators are ugly. I just hope my good looks make up for it!

[Coolbreeze]

Jeff!

PS: Sorry Bill,
But CE endmount regulators are not only ugly, they interfere with Chummee assist springs.
(And lock you in for any future regulator replacements.)

I am upgrading my 6V to a 12V system on my '48 Chief. It's generator is now a Bosch from a VW that I have run since the '60s. I bought the Cycle Electric generator from Starklite instead of directly from CE because I trust Gary Stark to know what will work on my bike -- and I am not afraid to give him his profit on the deal. Now, I am concerned. We will take a very close look at this and will be sending the CE back to California if it does not work with my helper springs.

[indian301]

John,

I looked up the website. Other than pricing, there is no other information or reviews of the alternator. I checked Google, no luck. It looks like a very nice product, but I think if I decide to upgrade(been running the stock Autolite for the past 28 years, 64k miles) I would go with a Cycle Electrics only for the ease of future service.

Dave

[john fretschl]

Thanks John I will research it.

Dave

let me know what you think.................

[indian301]

Thanks John I will research it.

Dave