Motorcycle Repair: 02 Dyna Low Rider Discharge, ac volts, motorcycle charging system


Question
QUESTION: I just purchased a used 02 Dyna Low Rider for my wife. This bike has only 600 miles on it. When we picked it up I installed a new HD battery since the original was dead and I assumed this was due to the length of inactivity. It ran fine coming home and for 40 miles of in town riding but the battery soon lost its charge, I recharged thinking that it may have been on the shelf a while but after another few hours of riding, same thing. I own a Auto repair shop but quite frankly know nothing about motorcycles. I used a Midtronics charging system tester which tells me the battery has 14.2 volts in it but this piece of equipment will not test the motorcycle charging system or the system itself has problems. I am unsure how to determine what may be the problem. Does this model have an alternator? Can you tell me what or how to check for this problem. I have a DOVM but don't know what to check or where to find components in the charging system. Any guidance you may offer would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: With a volt meter test at the battery with the bike running at around 2000 RPM. What voltage are you getting?
Mike

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

QUESTION: At 2000 RPM the voltage reads 12.21 Volts.

Answer
Your not charging.
First, test the stator. Locate the plugin from the regulator. Unplug it and with a OHM meter check the stator plug at each pin to ground. Should show no ground. Start the bike and check at the stator. At 2000 RPM should show around 60 AC volts. If it fails then the stator is bad. If it passes then the regulator is bad.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike