I have a 06 Sportster 883 custom. I have had the voltage regulator 2 times in the last year and it seems to have gone bad again. What could make one go bad?

 

Improper wiring, poor components, abuse, bad ground. Could be lots of things. Are these all different brands or the same brand?

 

+1 - Also, jump starting the bike from a running car or truck can fry the regulator.

I recommend replacing the stock Harley regulator with an electronic rectifying regulator like made by Cycle Electric. Unlike the shitty shunt type regulators Harley still uses which cause the stator to run at 100% load full time, the CE regulators switch off stator current when its not needed letting the stator run cool and without the excessive load on the motor.

http://www.cycleelectricinc.com/ - (Click in Rectifying Regulators in the link)

BTW: Cycle Electric also makes top quality stators as well and there's an obvious quality difference when you lay one next to an HD stator.

You can find the CE units at JP Cycles.

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