Motorcycle Repair: 2002 Dyna Wide Glide starting, trouble shooting guide, battery check


Question
Have a 2002 Dyna Wide Glide.  Low mileage (3200) & had a dead battery after sitting for a few months.  Charged battery & started but wouldn't restart after driving for an hour.  Bought a new battery & started.  Wouldn't start after riding.  Jumped it w/a car (turned off) to get it home. Ran fine all the way home. Went to jump it again the next day to take to the H-D shop to get repaired but only clicks.  Don't want to pay to get it towed if I don't have to.  Is there a component that's probably bad that I can remove & replace?  What's the best trouble shooting guide/steps?

Answer
FIrst thing you need to do is check to see if the bike is charging. Get the bike started and at the battery check the voltage. You should be getting around 13.5 volts at 2000 RPM. If not then either your stator or regulator is bad. You can test the stator to see if its bad. If it passes the tests then the regulator is bad.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike