I have been having a problem where I can notice my headlight dimming all of a sudden and then slowing brighten back up. I am on the highway every night to and from work so I really need my headlight working. Its a 2010 WideGlide with no electrical mods. I havent noticed any other issues other than maybe dragging a little on start. The dealer cant get me in till a week from now, so I am hoping there is something I can check myself before then. I checked the battery before and after starting and the charging system is putting our ~14Vdc when its running. Couldnt get it to act up in the garage. Is there a chance its my charging system is going bad (only 6000 miles) or do I have a battery with a bad cell.
***UPDATE page 2 post 17***

 

did you check to see that the battery connections are tight?

 

+1 on the battery connections. If those are tight have the shop do a charging check.

 

I checked the battery connections. They are good. I have worked on cars for 20 years, not much on bikes. I am going to take it to a smaller shop tomorrow and have the charging system tested real quick. They have things to do that just like for cars dont they? The Harley shop wont even look at it until next Thursday.

 

Sounds like you are charging fine. You did not say what battery voltage is after it sets about 2 hours. Should be about 12.5 volts.
Remember
12.5 = full charged
12.1 = 75%
11.9 = 50%
11.8 =25%

 

bad voltage regulator,or loose conection somewhere.. over thinking it you could make yourself belive there is a problem..

 

check the voltage reg plug those darn things dont always stay tight.. i know it sounds cheezy but try to put electrical tape next ride, steady light=bad plug

 

Checked the battery voltage after sitting 4 hours. It was 13.02Vdc. So there isnt anything wrong with the battery or any voltage drains. Where is the plug for the voltage reg at? Under the seat?

 

Sounds like Voltage Regulator to me.

 

Either you must have had it running or your meter is wrong. Most you are going to see out of a battery after setting to stabilize form a full charge is 12.6 volts. Your bike being a 2010 has good plugs and I doubt they are loose. The voltage you showed in your first post is showing its charging and hooked up good. What I was trying to telling you is it takes a lot of riding to keep a battery charged. Say your battery is in a state of 50% charged at 11.9-12. volts when motor is off. Then you will see the head light pulse when you slow down since the alternator is fairly small and only puts out a full charge at +2000 rpm and drops off slightly at idle rpm. If your battery is fully charged to 12.6 volts you do not see this pulse. Whatever you do remember that to put a load test on battery requires the battery to be unhooked to protect the alternator coils and regulator. Been working on these things for 46+ years. I know what I am talking about.