My battery light and engine light stays on even after replacing new battery. Reason for changing battery was the fact that the lights were on to begin with.

After replacing the battery, started it up, ran it for a few mins, no lights. I figure battery took care of the problem. Took it up to the local gas station to fill up the tank (approx. 3 miles from my house). Stopped it, filled it up. Started it back up. Lights came on and stayed on. WTF??!!?? Take it back home, shut it off, leave it off for a few mins. Start it back up again, no lights. Leave it running for a few mins. No lights. Rev it up and cause several neighbors to come outside to see what all the hub bub is about. LOL. Still no lights.

Have been told to use a voltmeter and check battery while bike is running. If voltmeter shows 13.8 volts, then all is well. If not, could be anything from voltage regulator ($86.00 on denniskirk.com) to the alternator ($450.00 from denniskirk.com).

So with all this being said... I'm hoping and praying to God above that it isn't the alternator. If so, the bike is going to be parked for quite some time. Any other ideas from you harley geniuses?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Like you said, it's time to get out the voltmeter and start testing.

Your bike doesn't have an alternator, it has a stator and a regulator.

I don't know where the $450.00 alternator came from, but the stator is closer to $150 and would likely be around $450.00 installed with labor.

 

Thanks cHarley!! Not sure where I got alternator from either but was only referring to what was showing up on denniskirk.com site. They have ALTERNATORS for sportsters apparently. LOL.

Makes me feel a small bit better about the whole thing. I wouldn't take it to have it installed at the stealership. I have a guy I know who can show me how to do it or do it himself. He used to have his own harley shop back in the 70s and sportys was his speciality.