Need some advice on Alternator

[macman]

So...new to me 85K100. 16k on the clock, new battery. Riding home , battery light comes on. Made it home, turned it off, dead! Nothing! Now the headlight will turn on, but no indicator lights, pump, etc. I am no mechanic; I assume that it is an alternator problem. Are there any other possible causes known to cause this? If it is the alternator, how do I test it? Is it a big job to replace?
Prior to this it ran great , although I have only managed to ride it 200 miles or so since buying it last month. Thanks in advance for any insight  that you more savvy owners might share. Macman

[wmax351]

Check your kill switch and fuses. If the headlight comes on, the battery is not shot.

The alternator is solid on these bikes. Its a car alternator.

Sometimes the alternator light will come on if certain fuses are out, or if the kill switch is activated.

[macman]

Thanks, wmax....I don't think that it is the kill switch...but I will dig out the manual and learn about the fuses. I suspect that I will learn a lot from this...and hopefully not spend a fortune, which I don't have! I checked the price of a new alternator and almost keeled over.

[Jumpin Jimmy B]

Good used altenators are easy to find.  I'd bet good $ that the flying duck ahd a couple to sell.

Plenty of places that can have or get it rebuilt also exist.

 Best of luck!

[frankenduck]

I've got one if you need one.

[kioolt]

I suggest that you don't just buy an alternator to try.  I believe that it would be a waste of your money.  I just checked my 91 K100LT to see what happens when the kill switch is turned off.  With it in the off position the indicators lights do not work but the headlight does. It may not necessarily be the kill switch but the kill switch circuit.  Your problem does not sound like an alternator problem or I know someone is going to suggest this later, a load relief relay.  The load relief relay would have your headlight out but would not affect your starter.6

[frankenduck]

Kill switch info here: Combination Switches

[macman]

Thanks much for your generous replies. I will start with fuses, and go from there. I really hope that I can get the bike squared away...what fun it is to ride! I will definitely have many more questions as things progress.... It will soon be winter here, I have arranged for heated storage in a big garage, so this looks like my winter hobby.

[ReneZ]

It looks like the battery isn't charging (enough). The bike hasn't got enough miles on her for it to be worn carbon brushes (where the !"£$%^& do you all get those low mileage bikes from!!  :lol:).
Low mileage means little use and I expect corroded contacts. I would look at cleaning all the contacts/connectors you can find, but particularly the ones at the battery and the ground connections under the frame tube (under the tank) and on the left side of the engine next to the coils.

[macman]

Rene..thanks for the tips. I am hauling the bike to a space where I can mess with it over the winter. I just put my other bike away , so on to the next task! I hope that it is something easy to find...man, it ran great there for a few weeks.