Alternator/rectifier issues.

[Christean]

My alternator/rectifier is bad ... how difficult is this to replace?

My Kat keeps draining the battery. The battery is good but keeps going dead from the rectifier draining it. It will work after the battery is charged, but after a day or so it will completely die while riding it. I've had numerous people tell me that it's the rectifier. I have someone that can probably help me do the work ... just wondering how difficult this is.

[The CyberPoet]

Well, first of all, you should test the charging system to verify that the problem is indeed your rectifier or alternator, and not a short elsewhere in the system.

See: CyberPoet's "Motorcycle Charging, Alternator, Rectifier, Diagnostics, Troubleshooting and Repair page"

Once you are sure which of the two it is, then you can start ordering parts and swapping them out. Changing the rectifier isn't that bad (airbox, carbs out of the way and you should be able to get at it).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet