So, went to go for a ride yesterday and battery didn't have enough juice to start. I know, should have had my tender hooked up, long story. Anyway I have noticed the last few times I rode the voltage never went above 11 or so on the dial. It started fine on Saturday, but I didn't ride her, just ler her warm up to make sure everything was good after the fluid change. Not sure how old the battery is, came with the bike when I bought it last Jan, but it was definitely not new when I got it. Bought the new battery, have it charging up.

Now to my question, is there a way to test the charging system? I'm worried that it may not just have been an old worn out battery and want to make sure before I take off to Daytona for bike week.

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/8970068-post2.html

 

Good info. Bookmarked.

 

Looks like good info, but I'm going to have to spend some time reading through it with the manual so I can understand. I know very little about electrical stuff. Thanks for the quick response.

 

My 1990 ultra Volt meter only shows 11-13 volts, and I beleve it should show 14 volts. I never had a problem except when a new battery was needed. I gave up worrying about the low volt reading and figure the meter is off.

 

Most likely the connections between the meter and the battery are off, not the meter or the battery. It is on the accessory circuit, source of The Dreaded Click.

 

Not to worry, my '95 shows the same, but when I hook up the multi-meter to the battery it shows 13.7-14 volts. The meters aren't the most accurate meter to begin with and usually don't get better with age. Check it at the battery with a good multi-meter, then you will know for sure. Hope this helps.

 

The simple place to start is at the battery. Check the voltage with everything including the engine off. Start and check voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should at least be higher with it running. If not, you have a charging problem. Then go to Dr. Hess charging instructions. You can buy a cheap volt ohm meter from Harbor Freight for less than $10.00 that will be something you can use over and over.

 

Read dr hess's post and follow the directions to the tee. Its basicly verbaum from the FSM. He and a few others spent some time on me a few months back beating some cents in my head. All the test in the post take like 3 mins. Very easy.

 

I would also check the battery with a load tester. The battery might show 12 volts, but if the CCA is too low....it's not going to start the bike.