Well the other day i pulled the bike out of the garage to go for a ride, and the battery was dead. Very odd because the batt is only about 3 months old and it had only been a bout a week since i rode it last. Anyways i jump and go out riding hoping it will charge up on the ride. Well i did about 150 miles and still dead. We stopped a few times and had to push start it. So what would be the first thing to check? I dont know much about the electrical systems.

 

anyone?

 

If you rode 150 miles on a dead battery your charging system is defenitly working so I would say the battery has a shorted cell and will not take a charge....did you ever jump it with a car battery? If so there you go...change the battery

 

i did jump it once with a car battery. Damn, you think that did it? Oh well, it was a cheapo battery anyway. Lesson learned the hard way.

 

The car system has way too much amps for the Harley and your lucky it only took out the battery.
Buy a HD battery this time.

 

well i put a different battery on the bike and it started up. Drove it for awhile and when i went to start it again it was dead. I would like to try to do this myself but i dont know **** about electrical systems.

 

I'd say the regulator is bad and you need to check the stator too.

 

Im with doc, brake down and buy a HD battery. or check reg.

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With a digital voltmeter set to DC volts test the battery while the bike is running.If it is charging you should get at least 13 volts. Then check the alternator by removing the plug.Set the meter to AC volts.While the bike is running touch the alternator terminals with the meter probes. At 2000 rpm you should get 20 volts ac which will rise as the rpm is increased.If the alternator is working then it is a faulty regulator.

 

thanks for the help guys,it ended up being the regulator.