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Does this stator look right to you?

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Guest

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Project%20stator_zpstagtefyq.jpg


Should there be so much copper wire showing? Isn't there supposed to be insulation around the copper wiring? This is off a 1978 GS550 that only has 12K miles on the odometer that I am currently doing the 550/650 build on. When I had it running a few years ago everything ran fine. Just wondering...
 
Ok, thanks. I thought the copper windings needed to be insulated too.
 
Super said:
Ok, thanks. I thought the copper windings needed to be insulated too.
Click to expand...

They do need insulation; it is probably a clear insulation.

In addition there should be a heavy epoxy on the windings to fix the wires that are exposed to mechanical forces due to the charging currents. If they are allowed to flex, with the rotation of the magnetic fields then they are sure to prematurely work harden and break.

That is why I like the Electrosport stators for the ED; apparently not all of the Electrosport stators are made this way but the ones for my bike are.

attachment.php
 
Last edited:
Has your rotor been upgraded? :-k

The '78 550 (and all the other GSes with kick starters) had 12-pole stators, that one has 18.

If your rotor has not been updated to match the 18-pole stator, you will get NO charging voltage.

.
 
Take a screw driver and see how many poles your magnet has. If you take the screw driver and move it around the flywheel magnets it should grab 18 times in one full circle. If not then you have a mismatch as Steve indicated. If so, then you're good to go. Stator looks clean and relatively new. If it only grabs 12 times then you need to replace the flywheel with one that's correct for the stator or get a 12 pole stator.
 
Wow! This is why this site is such a great site. All the info is amazing! I had no idea that this bike should have a 12 pole stator. I will do what JTGS850GL said and check the flywheel magnets and post what I find out. Thanks everyone.
 
12 magnets on the rotor. So naturally, my next question.... which is easier/cheaper to find... A 12 pole stator or an 18 magnet rotor? Also, would it be wiser to just upgrade to an 18 magnet rotor for the upgrade since the stator is in good shape?
 
So looking at some parts fiche it appears that the 81 through 83 GS550's had 18 pole stators. Would a rotor from these years of 550's work as a bolt on swap? The pictures of them on ebay show 3 large magnets versus the 12 individual magnets on my current rotor.
 
Steve said:
Has your rotor been upgraded? :-k

The '78 550 (and all the other GSes with kick starters) had 12-pole stators, that one has 18.

If your rotor has not been updated to match the 18-pole stator, you will get NO charging voltage.

.
Click to expand...

It looks like a Pratt and Watneys R-6950 Double Bumble Radial Engine.
 
Nice!!! I've always loved those big old radial engines!

Anyone else have any experience with upgrading to an 18 pole stator and rotor combo?
 
I agree with you about the radial engines, but they were odd numbers of cylinders. That ties in with Harley whose design came from a two cylinder section of a radial engine. Perhaps that is why they like straight pipes, the radials had straight pipes. There are some interesting radial motorcycles on youtube if you like the bizarre.
 
Replacing the stator with the correct 12 pole unit will be the easiest way to go. You already have the cover off and it will restore your charging system back to OEM. You can always sell your current stator and recoup some or all of the cost.

You can source out the correct rotor for the 18 pole stator as well, but you need to be careful as to which rotor you get in order to get it to bolt up and allow the starter clutch you have to work with it.
 
I agree with JTGS, getting a stator for your existing 12 pole rotor is likely the safest route, new ones likely run around $100. Match it up with a SH-775 r/r and eliminate separate rectifier and regulator if you still have them
 
Good point on replacing the R and R with a R/R as well. Don't forget to check and clean all your connection paths as well.
 
Those 'buttons' on the back are not the magnets. The magnets are the things that are lining the inside of the rotor.

If you thought you have 12 magnets, that is probably the N and S poles on SIX magnets.

I just checked a spare rotor that I have. It is for an 18-pole stator, and it has 12 'pulls' on a screwdriver, so you are evidently already set up for that 18-pole stator.

Enjoy. :encouragement:

.
 
That's great news Steve. Thanks for the help. I'm doing the 550/650 project build on this 550 and I really didn't need any more extra costs. Again, thanks for the help and all you do on this site. It's greatly appreciated!!
 
Yeah; 12 magnetic "pulls" for an 18-pole stator and 8 *iirc* for a 12-pole stator. Been a long time since I had one, and it got junked along the way. The 18-pole may not have been a wonderful piece of design but it was better than the abysmal 12-pole for output.
 
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