[Quintrill]

First let me say that I'm new Harleys and I apologize in advance for the very long post and any ignorance or redundancy on my part.
I have a '98 Dyna, recently purchased, with 2,500 mi, and a 3 month old Die-Hard ($120) battery. I rode about 60 mi. from home with no problems and as soon as I got off the highway I lost Tach/Speedo. Shut off engine shortly after and would not re-start...just clicking, dim lights, battery near dead. After several strenuous attempts across a flat parking lot got it bump started and rode about 7 mi. to the home of an aquaintance where I had to leave it and return to work in the morning. I did pull the battery and put it on low charge for about 8 hrs. It seems to have taken a charge, is showing around 12v when tested fresh off the charger (will check again when I get off work). I will have battery load tested before I go to attempt to retrieve the bike.
I have read my shop manual and the troubleshooting guide on this wonderful site and will go through the troubleshooting steps when I get the bike back home. My question is, is this a familar problem to anyone, and any advice on how to proceed?
Thanks very much for your patience and any advice would be appreciated.

Steve in Missouri

[Retro_Rocket]

Originally Posted by Quintrill

First let me say that I'm new Harleys and I apologize in advance for the very long post and any ignorance or redundancy on my part.
I have a '98 Dyna, recently purchased, with 2,500 mi, and a 3 month old Die-Hard ($120) battery. I rode about 60 mi. from home with no problems and as soon as I got off the highway I lost Tach/Speedo. Shut off engine shortly after and would not re-start...just clicking, dim lights, battery near dead. After several strenuous attempts across a flat parking lot got it bump started and rode about 7 mi. to the home of an aquaintance where I had to leave it and return to work in the morning. I did pull the battery and put it on low charge for about 8 hrs. It seems to have taken a charge, is showing around 12v when tested fresh off the charger (will check again when I get off work). I will have battery load tested before I go to attempt to retrieve the bike.
I have read my shop manual and the troubleshooting guide on this wonderful site and will go through the troubleshooting steps when I get the bike back home. My question is, is this a familar problem to anyone, and any advice on how to proceed?
Thanks very much for your patience and any advice would be appreciated.

Steve in Missouri

Strange thing we both had just about the same experience, I have the Honda VTX 1800 retro 2003 year and have just replace my battery for the same thing that occurred to me.
I checked it with a multimeter after charging the battery to 100% and with the engine running I only get about 12.5 volts on the meter. I just posted about my problem on this forum.
I've been told everything from water getting in the case causing the rectifier to fail, to checking the ground wires, which I have done and found them all to be secure and no corrosion.

[Leo]

On the front of your bike (near the oil filter) is a little square box with fins on it... That's youv voltage regulator. Most likely that's your problem. Take it off and have it checked, then buy a new one, bolt it on and plug it in. Should be better then.

[kidd]

check your ground specialy next to the voltage reg. the problem I had was the battery was not charging properly because i lost my ground after i put a chrome cover on the voltage reg.