Wont start and wont stay running
 

here is the deal: 98 SuperHawk

New Battery

New Spark Plugs

New Coils

Engine will not start under its own battery power.

When jump started engine will idle at 1200 RPM for a few minutes, then drop to 1000 RPM.

Then it will drop to 850 RPM, and then cut off.

It will start once right after, but not again.

From what I have been reading on here, I am either going towards an R/R or the alternator. ANY ADVICE?

How long have you had the bike?

Was it always like this or is this a new problem?

Does sound like regulator. Once you get it running test the voltage across the battery. My guess it will be dropping down to 11v.

Since you installed new coils, you possibly removed the tank. Did you put the vacuum hose back in the correct position on the petcock?

If the petcock was leaking slightly, it would run until the carbs were emptied.

To you all, Thank you.

CrankenFine >
I have had the bike for about 5 months now. I immediately got a new battery. It was running fine till a month ago when I had to jump it every other day at first. Then every day, then every time I needed to start it.

NZSpokes >
Yes it was dropping the last time I tested it but it was a simple tester. But still it showed a drop.

CruxGNZ > No I did not remove the tank. I have some cool tools that gave me the ability to get in under the tank. BUT I will check for that possibility.

So tomorrow I will check the petcock connection and get an accurate volt reading.

In my books that sounds like a confirmed rectifier failure. If you hold it at 5k rpm it should be at about 14.5v.

+1. I agree it seems the most likely if it's a stock regulator. But look at the online service manual and verify all aspects of the charging system, including stator.

YEP
 

Fellow Riders,

It looks like we have an answer. I went ahead and took a look at the R/R and found this below. https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4web0hian...48.31.jpg?dl=0

looks like something went POOF! So i am ordering one in the morning.

I can't get the picture to open. Do you have a load tester? A bad regulator can quickly turn a new battery into a paper weight.