Motorcycle Repair: Discharging battery, honda goldwing gl, negative battery cable

Question
1987 Honda Goldwing GL 1200 Aspencade -- I suspect a short is draining my battery. I performed the battery voltage leakage test as described in the shop manual by disconnecting the negative battery cable and checking the voltage between the negative ground cable and the negative battery terminal. The shop manual says there should be no voltage with the ignition in the off position but I get 12.5 volts.  Where and how do I begin to trouble shoot this voltage leakage?  

Answer
Hi Skip,

The instructions are referring to the measurement (or leakage) of electrical current, not voltage.

Connect the multi-meter (VOM or Volt Ohm Meter) as described. Set the dial selector to a high Amperage scale and then bring it down the range to an appropriate level. This will protect the meter. If current leakage is not within specs, try and locate the short.

Locate the short by disconnecting connections one by one and measuring current. Watch the meter, you'll have isolated the leaking circuit when the meter zeros. Narrow the search to the defective component or wire. Repair or replace.

Keep me posted on your progress. My email addy is: mshively1@woh.rr.com

Respectfully,
Mark Shively