I have a 1982 sportster and my generator light started staying on. With the generator on a workbench, I did the test where you ground out the F (field) terminal to the generator body with a small jumper wire and took a battery and hooked up the negative from the battery to the body of the generator. Then I hooked the positive from the battery to the A (armature) terminal. This should make the generator run like a motor, Right? and if it dose its good. Well mine doesn't. Its been a long time since I did this test. Dose anybody know if I am doing this test right to find out if the generator is bad or not. I did polarize the system and bought a new rebuilt generator and regulator. And the light still stays on all the time. I think I got a bad rebuilt generator. Thanks

 

It goes like this ...

1. jumper Batt+ to A
2. jumper Batt- to F
3. jumper Batt - to the gen body

For #3 you have to find a good spot, perhaps with no paint, and ensure that you are making a good connection.

Gen light staying on may be just a stuck brush. Remove gen from bike, take off the end cap, use electrical contacts cleaner to clean it all up, inspect the brushes, etc.