Is This The Correct Charging Voltage?

[RC166LVR]

When I check my Westco AGM (installed in 11/2005) with the bike turned off (and just off the battery tender) it reads 12.97 V.
When I check it with the motor (warm) at about 3K RPM it will go to 13.15 V.
The manual says 14 V @ 5K RPM.
Is the system charging as it should?

TIA.

[alimey4u2]

With a fully charged good battery & the headlamp on main beam, slowly building up the revs to 5000rpm & you should read 14 volts across the battery terminals with a good meter...

Yours may not be spot on but if the voltage holds ( or increases) & doesn't drop off it's not too bad...

[RC166LVR]

I had originally thought the problem was the almost 5 year old battery (stays on a tender) - (it just started to turn the motor over far more slowly after riding it for 100 miles - it almost won't turn over the motor but if you wait 30-60 seconds, it spins things faster but not quite how it feels just off the tender), but the voltage on the battery looks right.
My bike's voltmeter stays 13 V while riding it.
Could these symptoms be from a dying battery?

[EMS]

AGM batteries do need a little longer to reach their full charge. I would hook up the battery on a good charger and see what it does. It looks, though your bike charging system is doing fine.

[RC166LVR]

So, the 12.97 V (just off the Battery Tender) across the battery terminals shows that the battery will take a charge (forgive me, I am an electrical dunce). And 13.15-13.5 V AT 3K RPM (by voltmeter - I gather that the dash V-meter is notorious for deceptive info) shows that the charging system is at least somewhat healthy (I still intend on checking the brushes and and cleaning the red connector under the right hand cover).
So if the battery almost won't spin the motor after a healthy ride (but if I let it sit for a minute, it will start the bike, just not with the authority it has just off the charger), then the battery is probably dying and/or has an internal failure, yes?

Thanks again for the replies. This forum is INVALUABLE for maintaining these unique, wonderful pieces of motorcycling history.

[Don]

The mid to low 13's with a warm engine above 3K is a bit low - It should be 14 or just a bit more with a good meter. Personally, I'd be more suspect of the charging system than the battery, especially since you say the battery starts the engine just fine when first off the charger, but cranks it more slowly after a long ride

How long since you had a look at the brushes? If it's been quite a spell, you might try a new set and see if that improves the alternator's performance

Don

[RC166LVR]

That's kind of what I suspected.
I'll take a look at the brushes - I was just hoping it was just a nearly 5 year old AGM battery.

Thanks.

[alimey4u2]

Run a pencil eraser around the tracts too when & if you replace the brushes. It will remove the resistive patina that may have accumulated...

[RC166LVR]

Thanks mucho.
I truly appreciate all of your input.