Bike starts and runs but dies. Alternator?
 

Hello everyone. I just recently acquired a 1990 zx7 and have been loving it. I rode it for about a month with no problem. One day I went on a ride and stopped a few miles away at a stop sign and it died on me when I got down to about 10mph. The batter was dead. I jumped it, got about 1/4 mile and had to de-accelarate and it died. I replaced the battery thinking that was it and once it was fully charged and installed the bike ran fine for about ten minutes and died. I have also tried to bump start it with no luck. If I jump it will start right up and run for a few minutes before the power is drained completely or if I let it sit it will recharge enough to start back up after 15-20 minutes but will not run for long.

So my guess is the alternator seeing as how the battery is brand new but will not stay charged. Unfortunately I don't know too much about motors so any advice on things to check or past previous experiences would really help. And hello to all.

I am also looking for some new bikers to ride around with in the Seattle metropolitan (east side preferred) area or more experienced riders that are willing to take it a little slow.

Welcome to KF. You can do an amp draw from the alternator. Make sure that the alternator belt is in good condition as well, since that has been an issue in the past on these rides. p/n 59011

Use a multimeter to check the voltage at the battery with the engine running at about 6K rpm.

If it's below about 13.5V either your alternator or regulator are suspect. You can check the alternator output with a meter after disconnecting it from the regulator. Output should be somewhere between 45 and 70V AC - not dc - between each pair of wires. If this is OK you probably need a new regulator.

Rob

Welcome, del. A zx-7 is a great bike. We need pics!
Gear up; stay safe!