Ok, earlier I posted that my radio was cutting out while I was idling or hit the brake on my bike. Went out to it today to start it and it didn't sound great, heavy effort in turning the engine over. Rode it to the gas station and after I put fuel in it (of course) it wont start at all, just clicks (relay) I have already done the dreaded click mod (2 relays).
My question is, what component if any can cause an excessive drop in voltage in the starting system (as in starter motor or solenoid)? I will do electrical tests tomorrow but I believe the radio issue and starter issue are somehow connected I just don't see how.
Got it home by bump starting it. Battery is new and testing good, solenoid is 6 months old from drag specialties. I would like to know how to test the solenoid and the starter without removing them from the bike so I can isolate the problem and buy the correct part.


Thank you

 

Year and model machine?

Battery is testing good? How did you test it?

 

Sounds more like you have a charging issue based on the fact you reported earlier your radio cuts out whnever you hit the brakes. Have you had it checked. Satrt your bike and put a volt meter accross the battey turn on your radio and hit the brakes and watch for a voltage drop. It really shouldn't go below 13.2 volts. Maybe some one else will chim in and give you a better way to test your rotor or stator. Or take it to your Local indy.

 

Gotta do a load test.

 

Hey. Follow this link and it will give you step by step testing of your charging system
http://community.jpcycles.com/articl...g-systems.aspx

 

I suspected your charging system right off. Follow the directions in the sticky and tell us what you find. Also make sure your battery cables are tight and the ground is good.

 

What caused you to replace your old battery?

 

Sorry, 1986 flhtc. Bike made some bad electrical noises when I would try to start it, buzzing sound. Just had the transmission gone through by a local independent. Took it back to him and he said the battery was bad, had it replaced. Worked fine for a few days and now this. Charging system showing 14v at idle, 13. 5 with the headlight burning. Drops below 11 when the brake light comes on then picks up again. Voltage regulatorisavabout a year old.

 

Is that 11 volts at the battery with the brake light on? That's not good. Or are you just looking at the dash gauge?

 

Put your meter on the battery and bring your rpm's to 2000 note voltage should be around 13.5 to 14. Then tap the brake again and see what the drop is at the battery if it didn't change much maybe 1 volt I would suspect the rotor. The higher rpm will compensate for the drop as compared to at idle. Also check your stator between the windings and to ground.