Diode Issue ?

Hi Guys. I have a '71 750 Commando. My trouble is this: I run the bike ok, then At a stop light the bike will die, I turn off the headlight and the bike starts up . Now a week later the bike will just dies light on or off. I let the bike sit for about 10 minutes and it starts back up for a short time. Could it be the Diode going out or something else. A bit perplexing to me. Any suggestions would be keen.
Thanks.

It might be the Zener diode, however the fault could just as easily be with the stator, rectifier or battery, or even a simple wiring fault in the charging circuit.
Do you have a voltmeter multimeter? If so, what voltage readings are you getting across the battery terminals? Did this problem only start to occur recently?

http://britmoto.com/manuals/Manuals/750_man.pdf

It just started happening as of a few days ago. I noticed a week ago one of the wires was not connected to the diode and i rode it with it off for a day. Could that be an issue ?

Zubat said:

It just started happening as of a few days ago. I noticed a week ago one of the wires was not connected to the diode and i rode it with it off for a day. Could that be an issue ?

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Which wire (could you perhaps be a little more specific rather than saying "one of the wires")?

When you say diode, I take it you mean the Zener diode which is attached to the inside of right hand (timing) side Z-plate?

Do you mean the brown/blue wire to the Zener had become disconnected?

Just a general comment from me here: for whatever reason, your symptoms sound like you are running a total loss electrical system - ie no charge going back in to replace what's coming out of the battery. A good look into the charging system seems to be required. Happened to me once on an old car.
Good luck
Martin