How much does a new regulator or rectifier cost? I'm electronic engineer for a living and I could be making money with this. For a rectifier you need 6 high power diodes and a heat sink. For a regulator, a high power transistor, a heat sink, a zener, a resistor and an electrolytic capacitor.
A zener diode, when applied reverse voltage, will set the leads voltage to the preset voltage. The remaining will be dissipated as heat, so the zener needs a heat sink and will always work under stress. Triumph motorcycles used to have the rectifier under the headlight.
Now put a resistor in series with the zener. The zener will still set the voltage across its leads, but the resistor will eat the remaining voltage. There is no need for a heat sink. Apply the voltage to a high power transistor in emitter-follower configuration. It's ouput will "follow" the voltage in its base. The transistor is built to undergo high current and temperature, so it will last longer and will be safer. And everything will be solid state.
Raul