Motorcycle Repair: Sleeping FXR, hollow horn, gel battery

Question
QUESTION: I have a 93 FXR and it sit a lot for the past years or so as to some medical issues with me. I replaced the battery as the 6 year old gel battery gave up an would not hold a charge. I have installed a new battery and now get no lights horn or nothing. I have metered out allot of connections and found that as soon as I turn on the key I get a voltage drop from 12.30 down to 2-3 volts, This while not having and indicator that anything is receiving power. No clicking, no hollow horn. Nothing. I turn the key off and voltage comes back. I have metered out the ignition switch and the fuse breakers/connector blocks. Whatever you call them under the side cover primary side? In the book which is helpful it says start switch, Which I metered and found it to open and close properly. Or the starter relay? Not that is under the other cover and I don't know how to meter out that relay and the book don't mention that. Is there a way to use a jumper to the harness in such a way that it would tell me if I am in the right area of the problem? Help!

ANSWER: Disconnect the starter and test again and let me know what voltage you are showing
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I Disconnected the starter and still have the same voltage issue. No lights no nothing. What next?

Answer
You have a short in one of the systems. I would start by removing components from the different systems to see if the power comes back. Start by disconnecting the lights and ignition from the key starter. If the battery stays up, then connect each wire and check the voltage. this way you can trace out the problem
Good luck and happy riding
Mike