I have an 81 sportster
its running but only fora few minutes
its got a brand new battery and i have to charge everyday
so something is draining the battery
any ideas


thanks

 

check your charging system. do a search, you will find some info on how to do it.

 

your stator is probably bad. as als88 said, trouble shoot the charging system and check all connections/grounds to be clean and tight.

 

An easy way to see if something is drawing from your battery is touse a mutimeter. With the key off and the kill switch off, disconnect the positve lead to the battery and put the multimeter in between to make the connection.

Any more than abouta .7or moreamp draw is too much and will cause your battery to discharge while your bike is just sitting there. .5 or less is good.

 

Ihad a similar problem on my 79 FLH.When I went to do my checks on the systems i found that my plug to my stator had vibrated or got knocked off.A HD manual will tell you how to do your checks.I also agree with another post you recieved check your connection and the most important thing is make sure that you have a very good ground.If you need to know how to do your checks with an multi meter let me know if you can't find the procedure.GOOD LUCK!!

"Keep the shiny side up rubber side down"