Motorcycle Repair: 83 sportster wont start, harley sportster, meter test

Question
hello. i bought a 1983 harley sportster on ebay while serveing in iraq. i got home and the bike wouldnt start. so i got a brand new battery and spark plugs. it worked fine for a few days then i went 4 days with out starting it and now its completly dead. so i jumped it off and it will run but if i turn it off it wont start back up at all. its not charging at all either. now my question is i guess is how can i trouble shhot it. i dont really know about it. i dont know if it is the regulator or the generator or if i need a new batter or if there is something draining it or what please let me know. thank you
cory

Answer
First, get the bike running and with a volt meter test the battery. You should be getting over 13 volts. If not then either your generator or regulator is bad. You can remove the generator and have it tested to see if its working. You are not going to have to equipment to test it. If its good then the regulator is bad.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike