In the late '60s, I replaced my failing stock generator on my '48 Chief with a Bosch generator off a scrapped VW. This had worked fine for many years and for many miles. Lately, however, none of the local experts can get my setup to charge as it should. I am told that the generator is fine. I have replaced the voltage regulator.
A mechanic in my club urges me to replace the generator with a modern 12 V unit that may be more reliable. I have history with this old bike and everything I have done to (& with) it through the years. I do not want to make such a drastic change unless I must.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to what I might do to get this fine machine back on the road? I am considering looking for a solid state voltage regulator that will work on the VW generator.
Your input would be appreciated.
Yes, we had the generator tested by the premier auto electric shop in town. They have worked on a lot of VW 6V Bosch generators; so, they should know what they are doing. A retired VW mechanic in my club just gave me another voltage regulator. I hope it makes a difference. The mechanic tells me that I may have damaged the other regulator when a battery was hooked up backwards by well-meaning friends and I re-polarized the generator by shorting the leads on that regulator.