second new battery. after running for a period of time the battery goes dead. it will still run with battery dead but no lights,fan speedo. any ideas

 

sounds like the recifier is bad or maybe stator not putting out. you a volt meter and check the voltage output w/ the bike running and idled up a little and it should be 13.5 plus.

 

I checked that and it hung in the upper 12's and when I turn the lights on it drops to the low 12's.

 

check all the wiring on the front of the bike where the voltage regulator is they will corrode and or break physically take them apart and check / clean them i have repared these several times over the years

 

its not charging up to snuff if its only in the 12 range. check the recifier like colt said to make sure its got goof connection. good place to start.