motorcycle shuts down

[the bull]

Hoping for some help.  I finally bought the bike of my dreams about 2 months ago.  A 2001 Valkyrie Interstate with 12,000 miles.  It had a new battery put into it by the previous owner.  I have put about 1,000 miles on it and I absolutely love it.  Now I am having a problem with it because it dies if I ride it for 10 minutes.  I put it on the trickle charger and test the battery the next day and it has 13.2 volts. I start the bike and test it and it reads 12 volts, when I raise the rpm's the volts drop.  If  I keep it running the dash will cut off and the bike will stall a shorth time after.  Would this be the battery, alternator or the voltage regulator.  How do I test the regulator and where is it located?  How do I test the alternator to see what it is putting out?  Thanks and I sure hope I can get this fixed because I do not want to miss the best time of the year.  Thanks Rich

[Chrisj CMA]

Hoping for some help.  I finally bought the bike of my dreams about 2 months ago.  A 2001 Valkyrie Interstate with 12,000 miles.  It had a new battery put into it by the previous owner.  I have put about 1,000 miles on it and I absolutely love it.  Now I am having a problem with it because it dies if I ride it for 10 minutes.  I put it on the trickle charger and test the battery the next day and it has 13.2 volts. I start the bike and test it and it reads 12 volts, when I raise the rpm's the volts drop.  If  I keep it running the dash will cut off and the bike will stall a shorth time after.  Would this be the battery, alternator or the voltage regulator.  How do I test the regulator and where is it located?  How do I test the alternator to see what it is putting out?  Thanks and I sure hope I can get this fixed because I do not want to miss the best time of the year.  Thanks Rich

Sounds like the Alternator, but could also be a ground connection.  Unbolt clean and reconnect the ground and then check the 55A fusable link.  That little metal fusable link is the fuse for the alternator, if its broke NO ALTERNATOR

[the bull]

Thanks for getting back to me.  Where is the 55 amp fuse?

[Gryphon Rider]

Where is the 55 amp fuse?

Behind the right side cover there is a rectangular cover that says "FUSE | FUSIBLE".  Open it.

[Novavalker]

You need a new alternator.

[John Schmidt]

Only 12,000 miles....doubt it's the alternator but stranger things have happened.

[biguglyman]

Had a similar problem with one of my old GW's.  That fuzable link was cracked in the middle from heat, vibration, and corrosion.  It would run great for awhile until the current draw heated it to the point where it would separate.  Let it sit for awhile it would cool to the point where the edges would touch again and it would run.  Finally figured it out when it quit altogether and I could see the split.  Lucky they put a spare in there.

[Novavalker]

Only 12,000 miles....doubt it's the alternator but stranger things have happened.

Mine went at 18,000 miles. The wire broke in the rotor.

[Hoovey]

Where are you located ?  Maybe there will be a member near you that could take a look at it.

[fudgie]

My battery charger also checks the Alternator.

[Thunderbolt]

Put a voltmeter across the battery terminals set on volts dc.  Should increase in voltage when you race engine. If not,it is not charging.

[the bull]

I am located on long island.  I really appreciate all of the responses that have been posted.

[Hoser]

locate the fusible link and put the spare on, clean up the connections before you install the spare, while you have the old one off.  Hoser