03 883 sportster i need to locate and change the

My '04 XL1200C had a grounding problem that was causing this symptom. Check both ends of your battery cables; I had to move my grounding cable to an alternate location that was less susceptible to the vibration of normal cruising.

If you are not charging, I suggest you look at one of two things: (1) is the rectifier not working (changes AC from your alternator into "rectified" DC) or (2) the alternator is not producing power for some reason.

Alternators cannot make power unless you first put power into the device, BTW.

Before you purchase another battery and/or get stranded, please have your motorcycle looked at by a professional at your local HD Repair Shop.

Thanks for your question @ FixYa.com

Well, it depends on the year and model of the Harley. On the earlier Harley, both the Big Twins and the Sportsters, the generator was located externally on the lower front of the engine. In 1970, the Big Twins went to an alternator. It was and still is located in the forward end of the primary cover on the engines sprocket shaft. The Sportster didn't got to the alternator until late 1984. From that year to 1990, the alternator was behind the outer clutch basket at the rear of the primary. In 1991 to present, the alternator is located in the same place as it is on the Big Twin models, in the forward end of the primary case. I hope this helps.

Good Luck
Steve

You've already spotted the problem. 13.5 volts is not enough to keep the battery charged. It will slowly lose it's charge. You should be charging at 14.5-15.0 volts.

Check your regulator output. Look just behind the base of the rear cylinder and you'll see the wires coming out of the primary that go to the regulator. There's a plug in the line somewhere. Unplug it. You'll be measuring the output of the alternator so you'll be dealing with the wire on the alternator end of the plug. There are two metal contacts in the plug. You'll need a DVOM (digital volt ohm meter) to do this test. Set the meter's function selector switch to AC VOLTS, 50 VOLTS or greater. Start the engine and bring it to a high idle. Insert one meter lead into each metal contact. It make no difference which lead goes where as you're measuring AC voltage. Your meter should read at least 25 volts or higher. If not, your stator is bad.

If you read 25 volts or more, your regulator needs replacing.

Good Luck
steve

BTW: Early 1984 was the last year for a generator on the Sportster. Late 1984 to present, the bikes have alternators on them. Much better than the old generators. Much better.

Yes your Sportster has an alternator and it is replaceable. It is located behind the engine sprocket on the left side of the engine in the primary case.

First, let's make sure your alternator is bad. Using a DVOM (digital volt ohm meter) we'll test the entire system. You must have a fully charged battery in the bike to run this test. Connect the red meter lead to the positive post of your battery and the black meter lead to the negative. Put the function selector of the meter in DC VOLTS, 20 VOLTS or greater. Now, start the bike and bring the engine to a fast idle. The meter should read 14.5-15.0 volts. If not, test the alternator.

From the right side of the bike, look across the engine to the primary case just behind the rear cylinder for a wire coming out of the primary. It will have a round plug on it. Unplug the plug. Inside the plug on the primary side, you'll see two metal connectors. These are where we will test your alternator. Since we are testing AC current, it makes no difference which meter lead goes to which metal connector just make sure you're on the alternator side of the wire instead of the regulator side. Put your meter's function selector in AC VOLTS, 50 VOLTS or greater. Start the engine and bring it to high idle. Insert a meter probe into each of the metal connectors. Your meter should read 25 volts or higher.

If it does, your alternator is good and your regulator is the culprit causing your problems. The regulator is located on the frame downtubes just behind the front wheel.

If you want to repair your alternator, Disconnect the battery, drain the primary case and remove the cover. You'll have to take the compensator sprocket, the primary chain, and the clutch assembly off of the bike. Then remove the rotor and your stator is behind the rotor. Remove the stator and replace it with a new one. Reassemble the bike. If you need more specific instructions, please repost.

Good luck
Steve

First off, an '82 Sportster does not have an alternator. Sportsters didn't come out with alternators until late 1984 and then they were located behind the outer clutch drum.

Now if your bike is an 1982 model with a generator on the front of the engine, there should be three wires going to the generator. One green wire goes to the "Field" terminal and two tan wires go to the "Armature" terminal.

Don't forget to "polarize" the generator but momentarily arcing the generator's "Armature" terminal with the battery positive terminal. The regulator should be connected to the generator.

Good Luck
Steve

has the battery been tested, bike batteries last maybe 2 years, charge it up and have it tested, any Kragen can do it for free. doubt the problem is the alternator.

The sportster does not have an alternator, it has a stator. Are you sure it is the stator? First check the stator and see if it is putting out any voltage, to do this you disconnect it from the regulator on the right front down tube at the bottom. Use a multimeter to read the voltage, I forget what the values are but they should climb with increased RPM. If you find the stator is the problem get a manuel, it is a pretty big job and I can't go thro all the steps here. You do have to remove the primary cover and clutch basket, the stator is attached to for wont of a better word the fly wheel. The suggestion that I can make that is not in the manuel is to attach a pull wire to the stator wire before you remove it to make pulling the new wire easier,