Motorcycle Repair: Charging problem . . ., ac volts, logical choices

Question
I have a problem with the charging system on my '02 Wide Glide. On one of my last rides in the fall (I live in Minnesota), the bike was slow to crank and finally would not spin the starter. I did get home after getting a push start. I don't think that it is the battery since it seemed to take and hold a charge when I got home. Despite that, since it is on the original battery, I decided to purchase a new one for next spring. If it's not the battery, the logical choices (I think) are the regulator and/or the stator. I have a service manual but it doesn't seem to have any information on how to test either component and I would rather not replace either of them and hope that the problem will be solved. I have a multimeter but don't know how to use it to test either the alternator nor the stator. Can you walk me through a step-by-step method for testing them? I know that this is not something that you could respond to with a few keystrokes so I would understand if you would rather not take the time to generate a complete answer for me. (Actually, I don't know how people like yourself are able to provide a service like this at no cost when you must be quite busy with your own work.) Anyway, thanks for whatever help you may be able to provide. Of course, I will not be able to use any information until next spring when I can start the bike again.
Ron

Answer
First you need to start the bike and make sure you have a charging problem. Ater the bike is running, check at the battery and see what the voltage is. At 2000 RPM you should have around 13.5 volts. If not, then you are not charging.
to check the charging system, first unplug the regulator from the stator. At the pins for the stator go from stator to ground for OHMs.
You should show no OHMs. Next, check pin to pin and you should show OHMs. Nest start the bike and test at the stator for AC volts. SHould be around 60 AC volts at 2000 RPM. If the stator passes the above tests, then the regulator is bad. If it fails, then the stator is bad.
Happy holidays
Mike