I have a 98 rkc that periodically acts like the battery is dead. It will crank in the garage but when i stop somewhere it acts like the battery is dead upon restart, starter drag then click. Local parts store said battery was fine so how do i go about checking starter or regulator individually? Any help is appreciated. Jason in Bama

 

I would have the battery checked again. If its indeed good I would look for a loose connection at the battery or or starter. Check the 12+ and the grounds.

 

I agree and depending on how old the battery is, consider just replacing it. Cycle batteries need to be at 90-100% to really be good. I have had bike before that needed a new battery every couple years. Also look into a Battery Tender. They keep the battery usable much longer. I can get several years out of one if I regularly use a Battery Tender on it.

 

How old is the battery......

Take a look at the starter connection. There is a stud on top of the starter and several cables are attached to it. There will be a rubber cover there as well. Sometimes, the nut will loosen up...but more common though is dirt/corrosion will get in there.

If corrosion is there....just clean it and put some dielectric grease in there. If the nut is loose, take extreme caution when tightenting it. The wrench CANNOT touch anything metal unless the batter is disconnected.

 

I had the exact same thing happen on my wide glide. What I found was that after I let the bike sit for some time (winter) that the armature in the starter was getting corroded and wouldnt get a good connection. I pulled out the armature cleaned it up, put it back together and worked fine.

 

Clean up the connections on the battery and follow Evorider's suggestions about the connections on the solenoid. Clean them and apply some lithium or dielectric grease, then reassemble. If the battery is good and is at 12V when idle, the problem is likely the connections. If the battery is <10V you probably have a charging problem. (VR, stator, etc.).