Just replaced my regulator and the output to the battery reads 15.7 volts. Stator tests fine. Cannot figure this one out.

 

If your battery can spin the starter motor and your stator output seems fine then I would incriminate the regulator. Battery resistance will "clamp" the charging voltage but cannot set it to 14.5V.

 

Are you using a known, good meter?
What brought on the regulator replace?

 

HD spec is 15.5V max. You have a bad regulator ground or a bad Voltage regulator if you're using an accurate voltage meter.

If the ground is good replace the regulator. Looks like you got a bad replacement. Any codes set??

 

I am using a meter I got free from Harbor Freight which might be the problem, I did think of that. The ground on my bike is working well as far as I can tell, the connections are clean. The old regulator had a burn spot on the back and it was soft and spongy. The symptoms was that the 3 month old battery was dead and would not take a charge and the voltage going into the battery was between 16 andt 17 VDC. Will try a different meter to check voltage.

 

yes , try a different meter. have that "new" battery load tested it may have a internal short too. most of the time a regulator goes bad they just put out about 12 volts and that's enough to keep the bike running , but not enough to keep the battery hot enough to start the bike. somestimes an overchargeing problem will be created by a shorted battery and the regulator is trying to dump everything into it. that said your output should never be over 15.5. i would check everything else before spending any more money, including all your grounds.