I'm confused by all the battery test responses. Am I understanding chug differently. Does the damn thing turn over or does it act like the battery has no power? Or have you already figured it out?

 

Just because the battery has a charge and turns the motor does not mean the battery is fine. There is the load that the battery undergoes when the starter is engaged and when that drops it turns the engine slower. That is why we need to see what the voltage is under load. It really shouldn't drop below 8 volts or so.

 

After 8 visits to 3 separate dealers, each one saying the battery and charging systerm were fine and, "Some of 'em just start that way", one tech finally took the time to diagnose the problem. Nothing to do with the charging system or the battery. It was a loose COMPENSATOR NUT that caused the starter to engage at an angle (and chew up teeth). Everything in the primary was replaced, save for the chain, under warranty. Now it lights before I can let go of the button and runs like 7-11 pantyhose on a Bill Clinton intern.

Don't know if this is allowed in the forum, but a big thanks to Nate at Harley Davidson of North Texas. The guy really knows his stuff and takes his time to do it right.