Need help

[scottiowa47]

I bought my son a 84 Nighthawk 650.  But when its running if you give it gas the lights get brighter, and vice versa when you release the throttle.  I replaced the voltage regulator/rectifier and it is still doing it, can someone help me out here. Thanks

[detdrbuzzard]

you don't need to worry but if the lights didn't get brighter you would have a problem. from idle to about 2000 rpm you are running on battery power, the stator is not charging the battery. 2000 rpm and above the stator charges the battery and the lights have full power

[coffee_brake]

Yeah it sounds like nothing is wrong. It is completely normal for motorcycle lights to get brighter when the revs go up, and to be dimmer at idle.

[ariwhiteboy]

+1 on the above...nothing wrong with that bike. (From what you described) Now get that boy some good protective gear and sign him up for the MSF basic course.

P.S. to the forum!

[Handyman1018]

Dad!!! after all these years I can't believe I finally found you.   So when do I get my Nighthawk?

[bajakirch]

I just asked this very question of the instructor in my Basic Motorcycle Maintenance class. His answer was pretty much in line with what everyone above said. Having the light remain bright at idle is actually a greater indicator of a problem.

There are some fixes, like wiring the headlight directly into the battery. But there are some issues with that as well.

The light on my 550 (the kissing cousin to your 650 -- they use the same repair manual) dims enough at lower rpms that it's sometimes hard to see around sharper corners in the dark. I just have to remember to slow down and take it easy.

You can add auxiliary lights, but the NH's have charging issues as it is. Increasing the draw probably isn't a great idea. You might be able to get away with some auxiliary LEDs, though.