Is it safe to ride with a bad voltage regulator? I have a 2012 Harley Sportster 48 and the engine light and battery light came on. I called the dealership in New Bern NC who told me the bike had a recall for bad regulators. So I bring my bike in and they clear the code and test ride and tell me that it is fixed. About an hour into my drive the same lights came on so I found the service bulletin on the voltage regulators recall and sure enough it is supposed to be replaced. Dealership is now closed until Tuesday my question is will it be o.k. to still ride or will cause harm or possibly not start. I have no problems just lights come on every now and then. I would hate not to put my knees in the breeze for a few days. Any thought is much appreciated.

Active Duty MSgt of MArines

 

You need to figure out whether the regulator is dead or intermittent. With the motor running at a fast idle (2,000 rpm) measure the voltage across the battery. If you have less than 13.5 volts, your charging system is not working. If your going to ride it, prepare to be stranded.

 

Don't ride it till its fixed. If its overcharging or under as well you run the poss. Of ruining sensitive electronics resulting in years of headaches.

 

Thanks for the quick responses, frustrating because I just took it there and they told me everything checked out? Reckon I drive my car with head out of the window.

 

The 2012 regulator Service Bulletin called for the affected regulators to be replaced whether they were still working or not. If your dealer knew of the Service Bulletin, he should have replaced the regulator regardless.

 

If your dealer didn't know about the Service Bulletin or check if your bike applies to it find a new dealer.

 

Pretty sure there is a known issue w the regulators covered under waranty. Try a dif dealer.
Don't ride until it's fixed. It can/will cut out and not start. cheers.

 

Further to the above, there are two things that can happen with a defective regulator: 1. it stops charging the battery, which you become dependent on and will steadily discharge while riding until eventually your bike stops working; 2. it over-charges the battery and can cause damage either to it or other parts of your bike's electrics, which will also stop the bike, but risks additional replacements and expense.

Or in other words get it fixed!

 

Affected regulators are the key words here. If they checked the system out and the regulator was a unit that was not affected by the Service Bulletin, they would not change it. The only way to really know why it was not changed would be to ask them...

I agree with the other posters, don`t ride the bike until the problem is resolved.

 

My regulator missed the service date by one week. I would hope that they checked everything out instead of clearing the code on computer. Needless to say I am not happy with the service. When they open up on Tuesday I am going to ask what was performed and ask when I can bring it in to replace regulator. I also saw that there was a service bulletin for spokes< M1326, even though I have had no problems with my wheels do you think I should ask them to look at it. Does anyone have the actual bulletin that I can print off and take with me? Thanks again for such support from my fellow riders.