HELLO,I HAVE GOT A 1990 ELETRICA GLIDE,BATTERY ISNT CHARGING,I REPLACED THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR ON THURS,CHARGED THE BATTERY,BUT WHEN I STARTED THE BIKE,VOLT METER IS READING 8, TOOK OFF RIDING TODAY,BIKE WAS DOING GREAT,ALL A SUDDEN,BIKE STARTED TO BACK FIRE, LOST ALL POWER,BIKE DIED,WOULDNT START FOR NOTHING,BROUGHT IT BACK HOME ON A TRAILER,CHARGED BATTERY BIKE STARTS,,BUT WHEN I TURN OFF AND START IT AGAIN,BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN,CHECKED THE STATOR,AND IT TESTED FINE,,,,,ANY CLUES.WHERE DO I START.THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

Hey rsnky, that really sounds like a bad stator to me. You might check the wiring for any possible problems though. Dont have a loose ground do you? (underseat) I assume your checking stator properly, amps output? I have seen on 1 occasion I can think about that I had a bike in our shop doing about the same thing and it was a half broken wire in side the primary right @ the stator and it was a evo that this happened on. The other symptom I remember was flickering lights from amperage surge. Good luck, wish I had more to share.
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Check the voltage across the battery while the bike is running at about 1000 to 2000 rpm. The voltage should be about 13.8 to 15 volts. If not, it's the stator and or voltage regulator or the wiring going to the battery. If the voltage is good, the battery is not holding the charge, or something is discharging the battery when it's not running.

 

I remember a problem with similar symptoms on my '91 Electraglide. Bad stator.

 

Years back I had a Suzuki 1400 Cavalcade and had the same exact problem. Just like the advise posted by the guys above, it was the stator giving me all of my problems, good luck...

 

Alt plug at engine case is known to not contact well,even if it looks connected.They make wire straps that hold pressure against this plug to maintain good contact.These plugs are known to arc and pit connectors inside as well as hold moisture.You may also have a bad battery along w/this.How old is battery?Try to wiggle this plug while someone reads voltage across batter w/engine running.