Onions old time tech shop:

Just a little bit of information I have picked up over the years.

6 Volt is stock for 45's and big twins.You can get some more light out of your system by changing it over to 12 volts and not destroy any stock parts or looks. The 6 volt system has a 32 E generator and 6 volt regulator and of course a 6 volt battery. A 65 A is a 12 volt generator and will fit right in place of the 32 E. Looks just like it.

I will give you an overview of the change over. I did it because the 6 volt system can be feeble at times. I fitted the 45 I got with a H-4 Stock repo Headlight. I like to see at night. It still looks stock and is a little better if you are going to ride your 45 a lot. I do! If it is going to sit or get ridden seldom leave it stock!

Step One: Remove Battery. Obtain 12 volt Generator 65 A,12 volt   Regulator, 12 Volt Battery, 12 Volt Horn, 12 Volt ETC the ETC will be all the other electric stuff piled on the bike.

One little modification to the generator ( Get an after market one don't ruin a stock generator). The mount holes wont fit on 45's so mount the generator on the motor, turn the generator a small amount so fresh metal is available at least one hole width from the holes drilled in the generator. Carefully mark the mount hole position. I used a duplicating punch, a straight pin with a point in the center of the end fit it in the mount hole in the gear cover Tap Tap hole centers marked. CHECK IT TWICE This is a one shot deal. Unless you want the end of the generator to look like swiss cheese. Once marked pull it out and drill the holes out to match the size and thread of the fasteners. Your tap and die set should have a chart telling you the right drill to use for the size and thread fasteners you are using. If you don't know what all this mumbo jumbo is, Find some body who does. Drill the holes the same depth as the holes already in the generator (measure it) No deeper any deeper and you will damage the generator. Tap the holes to the correct thread and size. Try to use a Bottoming Tap so you get as many threads as possible. Check fasteners for fit before putting in place to save headache. Especially the generator mount bolts, measure the length sticking out of the mounting boss. Is it less than the depth of the holes in the generator. If you were careful and checked your work all along the way. Mount the Generator with a new gasket if you got one the bolts should fit right in and tighten all fasteners and clamp.

Hook the wires up, You marked them before you removed them! good You read the instruction sheet you got with the generator and regulator! Good, Now. Double check the system. Important step: Change all bulbs to 12 volt. 6 volt bulbs have a life of about 15 seconds on a 12 volt system.

Now I am writing this for the older bikes, if you got radios or other goodies that run off the electrical system Like an Electric Horn or Siren you will need to address that to.The brake light switch will never know the difference and should work fine. I can't say it enough CHECK YOUR WORK The hook up must be right. Get your 12 volt battery, mine needed a spacer in the liner because the 12 volt battery is shorter than the 6 volt stock. Check out the 45 restoration link they got the right part you will need. After you hook up the battery you must polarize your generator or it wont work right. See your instructions you got with the parts. I will cover the how 2's later in this series.

You should be at a stage to SMOKE TEST the system

Final Check: Charged 12 volt  battery__ ,12 volt generator__ ,12 volt regulator__ 12 volt bulbs__ 12 volt horn__ Other electric powered stuff changed to12 volts__, Wiring hooked up correctly (check power and grounds with a meter), Good Grounds, Fasteners tight!

Turn the switch, Test the lights, Hit the kicker and were ridin tonite!

Hell that only took two weeks of work and 15 six packs of beer, what other stock off stock stuff is possible. How about a VL girder springer on a flathead frame with an 80 inch flathead motor in it with repop fenders cut down and apehangers. Old John got that bike out on the road Hmmmmmmmmm.What about that old 16 inch over springer you got for peanuts 15 years ago Do you think its time to REMOTORCYCLE! Do it Today! It's a lot more fun than stamps or golfing.

Oh! All those stock parts go in a box marked and wrapped up so that you can return the stock configuration at any time. The stock parts will fit back on in a jiffy.

Only With American Made Motorcycles  H-D 45 Flatheads Forever

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