1983 GS450L - Just died on the way work to work this morning.

[incarceration]

Well, now it's in the state of not starting. It was because the battery was bad; I replaced the battery so now it should be good to start without issue.

But instead of making another battery go bad (this is the 2nd one this bike has killed) I would prefer to replace the stator and VR\R as I just verified the stator is bad (not between 0.5 and 2 OHM) and I would not be surprised the VR\R is bad as well considering when it WAS running a few months ago and I had an issue, the voltages were from high 13-19 volts

EDIT:
looking at the VR\R though the connector is this fat black connector that just slips onto the bottom of it. How the hell am I gonna connect any new one onto that?

I think this is an '82, not an '83.

[incarceration]

Edit; just saw next reply; those ohm readings are poor, BUT they don't explain high voltages that you saw.

So what would? Bad regulator?

Here's a picture of my ignitor and regulator area:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8222/eyrg.jpg

[tom203]

Do you have a Polaris ATV dealer in your area ?- of course, you do, probably swampy and no need for snowmobiles so ATV's are everywhere.

You want Polaris part #4012941 ; this is a series R/R (lots of threads on here about it). Polaris's list price is about $78, some dealers sell for less, but it might have to come from Polaris warehouse. Honestly this is the best R/R for the money .

You will have to make up your own connections- none of this is plug and play if you want reliability.

Edit; update; looking at your pic, your existing R/R is pitifully tiny, so lose it. You'll have to move stuff around to squeeze a new R/r in there but it ain't computer science

[incarceration]

Edit; update; looking at your pic, your existing R/R is pitifully tiny, so lose it. You'll have to move stuff around to squeeze a new R/r in there but it ain't computer science

It's too bad it's not computer science, I'm a computer engineering student, lol

What do you mean it's pitifully tiny? Is that not what comes with this bike? What does the size of it matter (lol?)

Also, how the heck am I gonna connect something to that suggested polaris part? I just looked it up and the connectors are cover with a shroud. Here's what I found for an example, it's used, so I won't buy this one, but just for pictures.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Polaris-RZR-Razor-800-S-Regulator-Rectifier-4012941-Used-Parts-ATV-UTV-Sled-/300951833504?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4612208ba0&vxp=mtr

[bccap]

Below is a link to test your charging system. If you are getting voltages as high as 19v it does sound like your r/r is faulty. Mine was putting out 17v and boiled the battery dry. However I just added distilled water and it has been fine for a year and a half. The link will also give you the proper numbers for your stator. I replaced my r/r with an Electrosport and it is just fine but there are many alternatives. I've heard good things about Ricks and that price is good.

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_statorfaq.htm#charging%20circuit%20is%20OK?

[incarceration]

I replaced my r/r with an Electrosport and it is just fine but there are many alternatives

How did you adapt the connectors on the Electrosport regulator? Or how would I do it for the Electrosport or Rick's model?

[bccap]

How did you adapt the connectors on the Electrosport regulator? Or how would I do it for the Electrosport or Rick's model?

The Electrosport is plug and play. It also is larger than the original for better cooling so you may have to do some fiddling. Mine wasn't too bad. As for ones with different wiring, there are several threads on that, just do a search. Several of our more frugal members like to use used Honda r/r's and there is a list somewhere for that as well. Again a search should find it. Use the advance search feature and search by titles. Might be something on Basscliff's site as well. Good luck.
Geez I'm starting to sound like Ed.....

[incarceration]

The Electrosport is plug and play. It also is larger than the original for better cooling so you may have to do some fiddling. Mine wasn't too bad. As for ones with different wiring, there are several threads on that, just do a search. Several of our more frugal members like to use used Honda r/r's and there is a list somewhere for that as well. Again a search should find it. Use the advance search feature and search by titles. Might be something on Basscliff's site as well. Good luck.
Geez I'm starting to sound like Ed.....

Did yours look like mine? With the very wide and narrow black connector?

[bccap]

Yeah...More or less. You just plug the wires into the appropriate slot on that box that is snapped on to the bottom of the regulator. It's also a good idea to run a separate ground wire from one of the bolts to the negative terminal of the battery. Below is the Electrosport recommended for your bike. You can save yourself some money if you check out that list,and look on ebay, and search out the way to wire it.

http://www.electrosport.com/street-bikes/suzuki/gs450-82-88.html?pt=regulator-rectifiers

[incarceration]

I just checked the stator with the motor running, it never broke 55VAC going ~5000 RPM with any of the 3 combinations of checks.

Also never was within spec of 0.5 and 2.0 OHM, was around 0.3 and 0.45 OHM

Is it safe to say the stator is toast?

I'm thinking of replacing the stator first (if it is confirmed bad) and then seeing what happens before getting a VR\R but I don't know. I would like to just buy both and replace both and be done with it. Especially if the stator is bad, it doesn't seem smart to leave the old VR\R behind, might do something to the new stator.

Here's a cheaper place of the same one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-SUZUKI-GS450-REGULATOR-RECTIFIER-SUZUKI-GS-SERIES-/231019986429?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c9dd3dfd&vxp=mtr

Here's the stator:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121159326354

Any tips on replacing the stator? Or is it just remove the SUZUKI branded side piece and swap them out? I have a feeling it's going to be a nightmare lol

[incarceration]

Stupid yes\no question:
When I take off the cover on the side, where the stator is, is there gonna be any kind of fluids coming out? Or is it dry in that cavity where the rotor and stator are?

[JEEPRUSTY]

Assume there will be oil
Mine is oil bathed

[incarceration]

Assume there will be oil
Mine is oil bathed

Is that in the same bath as the engine oil? If so, I'm assuming I have to put more or all oil back in as if I were changing the engine\trans oil (~3qt)

[JEEPRUSTY]

I would put it on the centre-stand and go from there
Some folks place a small block under the left side pad but I think thats a bad idea

I would consider draining the oil to a clean container then refilling as need be.

[incarceration]

Left side pad?
I need to do a full oil change to change my stator? Seems odd lol, but what do I know.

Thanks for the help guys. I just ordered a new stator and VR\R, should be here middle of next week, if not sooner.

I'll post back when it's all here.