Dead end! HELP!

I have an 82 kaw 440LTD. The bike runs and drives but when I turn it off the battery is dead. I hooked up a DMM to the battery while it was running and it shows 12.5V constantly even when I rev it up. Also the headlight is very dull. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. I have a new battery so I'm thinking it's the stator or volt regulator. What do you think it is? If it is the stator or regulator how do I test them to make sure which it is. I took it to a shop here in town and it sat there for two days and he just put the charger on it. $65 just for him to put the charger on it. Needless to say I picked up the bike today and decided to do the work myself.

I tried updating my signature but can't find where to change it.

I'd ask at this forum as they are more about the 400 and 440 electrical systems:
www.armbell.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=17...a4919c9&mforum=kz400

Thank you.

LivingDead wrote:

...82 kaw 440LTD. The bike runs and drives but when I turn it off the battery is dead. I hooked up a DMM to the battery while it was running and it shows 12.5V constantly even when I rev it up. Also the headlight is very dull...new battery so I'm thinking it's the stator or volt regulator. What do you think it is? If it is the stator or regulator how do I test them to make sure which it is...tried updating my signature but can't find where to change it.

Where voltage is insufficient, rectifier might be defective (and stator okay).

Defective regulator often furnishes excessive voltage.

Some models came with separate rectifier and regulator. Others came with a combo rec/reg.
Often, replacements are available in combo form, even on models having separate oem rec and reg.

Could be wrong, but guessing the 1982 KZ440LTD came with combo rec/reg.

Good Fortune!

LivingDead wrote:

Needless to say I picked up the bike today and decided to do the work myself.

Damn right!