Based on what I have read in other charging system posts here, I am dismayed.
The main clue was that the battery was not being recharged. The bike died in traffic about a mile from home. I let it sit for 20 minutes, got it restarted and rode it back.
The voltmeter on the bike shows small random changes in voltage at different engine rpm. When a multimeter is connected to the battery, varying the rpm does not vary the voltage.
The three yellow wires connected to the stator give good news and bad news.
---- Good news: None are grounded, and there is continuity amongst all three.
---- Bad news: at 2000 rpm they each output about 26 volts. 4000 rpm, 49 volts. 5000 rpm 63 volts.
When doing a multimeter diode test, the rectifier shows .5volts one way and 0 volts the other on the red wire to the yellow stator wires, and then doing it again on the black wire with the white stripe.
So,... the stator voltage is consistent, increases with rpm, but does not get up to the 100VAC everyone here says is required. The rectifier diodes check out. I have no facts on the voltage regulator; I know of no way to test it.
Why would the stator behave normally except for it putting out ~63 volts instead of 100? In other experiences I have had with motorcycles and with aircraft, a stator just dies altogether. It is as if three equally spaced windings failed. One wonders.
Do any of you Savage Gurus have suggestions?
---- Unless I get some better understanding of what is going on here, it looks like I'll be replacing the stator. Not a quick/easy job.
---- Seems like ebay has stators ranging from $40 to $225.
---- Amazon's range from $40 to $240.
---- Gaskets will be around $20.
Please let me know if there is something dopey I missed, and can solve my problem.