Running voltage?
 

When I rev my bike, the charging voltage only goes to about 13.7 volts. I have read that it should be about 13.9-14.2.
Is this true?
Is there a concern?
Brushes?
Okay?

Not. I would think you're in the margin of error for your voltmeter. I bougt a Kuriackan (sp) voltmeter to check the current draw when running my Gerbing jacket. It proved easier to read than a Fluke strapped to the tankbag.
Jim

13.7 is not uncommon, it may be more of an indicator of battery health, than charging system.

that's not enough.
something's wrong.

I always want to see 14.5VDC at about 5K rpm regardless of what it is.

I'll bet dollars to donuts it's the battery...if the bat is >2 years old, do an AMP draw test (go to autozone).

Jony
I would consider that on the high end of the scale but I appreciate the AZ plug. It has been one of my better stock picks. I would not expect my local counterman to interpret the results of a load test on a motorcycle battery, perhaps you can expect to have more faith in yours.
Jim

well, drag out a manual for virtually any vehicle with a 12 volt negative ground charging system and I'd bet it says 14.5VDC as a correct charge level.

but of course, free advice is worth what you pay for it.

make up your own mind.

Given that this is the same member that has had the ABS failure lights alternating after startup, but then clearing after a 5 mile ride and re-start, I'm going to bet that the battery health is the culprit of the low voltage being seen while running.

I know that the battery is a PITA to get to, but I have to ask myself why, after being told to replace a battery, someone would spend more time chasing gremlins that don't exist than it would have taken to just replace the battery by now.

I agree that my two concerns (ABS lights and questionable charging voltage) may be related. I hope so to be sure. I ordered a Odyssey PC680 battery and it should be here by the end of the week. I'll update once installed on both topics. I have my fingers crossed!

Those are virtually always related.
The regulators on these vary more than you might think, but in general, 14.5 is a pretty high expectation. If that's the metric, at least half of all oilheads don't charge properly. 14 +/- a quarter covers most of them.

Okay, I put the Odyssey PC680 in Saturday. I have had it out a few times now. The charging voltage seems better. Now it runs at about 13.90 - 13.95 volts (just under 14).
No ABS lights, and I think that it runs smoother at idle. (Am I imagining this?)

That will certainly keep you going but still seems low. I take it you are measuring voltage at the battery with a digital voltmeter with the bike revving 3-4k? An AGM battery likes to see 14.2v & your Odyssey prefers closer to 14.5v for optimum battery health. My old Airheads are set up so I get 14v at 3k & above so I'm sure your Oilhead can do better then 13.9v. Have you cleaned all the connectors, checked/cleaned the grounds & checked belt tension/condition?

I cleaned the battery connections, but not any of the others. I say the battery ground, it looked okay with no corrosion, so I didn't take apart.
Trouble?