78 fram 82 motor no juice

If not already done, may check charging system with a voltmeter as follows.

Best to begin with a good fully charged battery, having clean snug terminal connections and where negative cable attaches to engine.

Measure dc voltage across battery terminals.

At idle rpm, look for 13 volts.

At 3000~4000 rpm, look for 14+ volts.

Good Luck!

i just checked this. it charges at 13.2 at idle and 13.98 at 3k

but the wires (2 to the stator one to the ground on the batt) on the r/r are still hot as hell and smoking when i rev it up.

On the bikes with magnetic rotors on the alternator, they run wide open with the reg/rect limiting the excess power by shedding it as heat off the cooling fins.

I'm not sure if your bike has this set up or the other type with an excited winding alternator.

I'd check the wiring where it comes out of the port by your left foot peg for insulation damage or partially broken wires.

Pull the sprocket cover and inspect the wiring.On the bigger 4's the alternator output wiring is bundled with the neutral switch,sidestand switch, and oil pressure switch.