Lately my bike has been slow and struggling to start and yesterday it took three goes to crank it over and then it "just" fired. So went for a 2hr ride and then let it sit for about 4hrs and tested the volts on the battery.

4hrs after ride it was 12.5 volts

Cranking under load dropped to 9.7 volts

Running charge was 14.15 volts

In the workshop manual if battery is under 12.6 volts then you should charge it to full. So I put it on charge for a few hours and then let it sit for abit then tested it again it was 12.71 volts and the bike cranks well. So I left it sit overnight and tested it again and it has dropped back down to 12.54 volts. Was told it should be around 12.7 or more. The battery is a harley battery and is about 1 year old and has been put on the harley charger twice aweek when not using the bike to keep it fresh. So would it be my battery on it's way out or are these volt readings normal ?

Thanks

Sounds like it's on the way out.
Do you keep it on a trickle charger when not in use?

It sounds to me like the battery may have been down a bit on your first start.  Remember, the figures quoted for the battery (or any battery) in the manual are at 20 degrees C, so if was a bit cooler then the numbers you got are OK.

It's always a good idea to keep a trickle charger on the battery when you're not using it.

 

Cheers,

Pete

Sounds like it's on it's way out

A load test is better .

Nomada - No I don't keep it on a trickle charger after every ride. Only twice a week for about 4hrs if I'm not using the bike for two or three weeks.

PeterGordon - Mate I did buy the battery on a Saturday morning straight out of the box due to my last battery died just around the corner from the Harley shop on a ride. But I did ride straight home about 20 klms and put it on charge all night.

Baloffski - That's what I thought 1 year is crap. I got 2 years out of my first battery that came with the bike from new with no trickle charge at all. Also if you come from Finch Hatton you might know my brother Les McColm he has lived there most his life and worked at the sugar mill.

Hi Denzo, if it's the original HD AGM battery you need the battery tender to charge it to full, as a say 4 amp or more type charger won't get them on full charge.

thats what a battery guy told me. but if your battery two or three years old, replace with AGM , as trying to get battery's to last longer, can lead to more problems , like the regulator has to work harder & will burn out that goes you, finish up having to buy a new one & a new battery & sometimes an alternator, so the new battery  worth it in long run, then when you can get a tender. i like the C Tech Repco had special on them $50 or so

The trickle charger I use is the tender. I called the dealer today and found out that the battery is only 10 months old and that they would do a test on it and replace it if bad. It just feels like it's lost a bit of cranking power at times just like my last battery did near the end. So when I get the chance I will drop it in to them and see what happens. thanks

I wouldn't be too tardy in taking them the battery if there's a chance they'll replace it. I'd be taking it back asap. It's not too often that dealers make offers like this, particularly for items that are considered consumables 

I strongly believe in what your saying KiwiDave But on the day I had no option and did not think a quick trip home before charging would do harm. Looks like I might have been wrong . Thanks guys

my battery started to do the same thing and I ride daily. As I ride daily I didn't think I would need to trickle charge, especially as its only just over a year old. Anyway after putting her on the trickle charge every night she now cranks over like new.

8yrs my battery lasted 2008 -2014 fatty an 2 yrs stg iv use an orig batt an i thought was suspect last coupla yrs but finally no go battery world 239buks new one ,they say will last 4 yrs or more changed myself in out quick an everything work same ,av more trouble wif fob battery always av spare on hand been caught a few times