battery doesn't hold a charge

I recently bought an 85 Goldwing Interstate. When I test rode it the bike
started fine. However over the next week each time I started it the battery got
weaker and weaker. I took the bike to a local motorcycle repair shop to check if
the charging system was working. They said it was ok and that the battery was
probably shot. I bought a new battery at a local bike dealer. But it doesn't
appear to be holding a charge either. I rode for three hours today. I came home
and shut it off and tried to restart it but the battery was very weak again. I
now have it on a charger. What could be wrong? TIA

 

Thanks for the info. I read the pdf file. However, I'm more mechanically
inclided than electrically. I did a google search and hit on the following link.
It sounds like something I could handle. Please check it out and let me know
what you think.

http://gl1200harness.tripod.com/harness.html

 

Provided the charging system WAS checked, and the battery
IS new, look for a 'leak`, or drain on the battery.
With everything off, disconnect the battery ground and look
for a voltage, (Gnd. to frame). If you get one, you've got something
draining the battery while standing. Then you get to disconnect
the fuses one by one to try and isolate the problem.
Electrical problems tend to keep one amused for considerable
amounts of time......
Good luck,
MadDog
"R75/5 Forever!"

 

Before doing anything else, I would consider checking/servicing the
connection of the battery's ground cable to the engine (or frame, if
that is the case in your bike).

Many atvs and motorcycles that quit charging just have a bad ground
connection.

If the charging system is indeed working, then the battery should be
charged after riding the bike.
(in other words) A small amperage draw would run the battery down
between rides, not during the ride.

Jim
Team LAGNAF
'06 GasGas DE300

 

$6 buys you a Radio Shack "Battery and Alternator Tester".
It's a matter of a couple minutes to hook it to the battery, tape it
to the bars and do a test ride. Most likely it's not charging.

Could be cables and connections, regulator or alternator
proper. Could also be a bad battery, but that seems unlikely.

 

It turns out that the new battery was bad. I should have known that a $43
Walmart battery was a bad investment. Fortunately, I didn't get stranded
anywhere. I went to the local Honda shop and purchased a Yuasa battery for $100.
That did the trick - no more problems. Walmart did refund my money. Thanks to
all that responded.