Motorcycle tries to start then clicks?

Okay, I have a 2006 Honda Shadow Aero with right around 4000 miles. I got it out this year and the battery was dead so I gave it a jump. It ran fine, but the battery wouldn t hold a charge. I got a new battery and it seemed fine for a couple days… Started up no problems, but now I'm back to it not starting. It will try for a couple cranks (2-3) then clicking. I can jump it and ride… And even turn it off then start it right back up, but as soon as it sits for a bit it won't start. Somewhere I read that a quick check for charging is to slowly rev it and the headlight will brighten (which mine does), but that s about my knowledge… Any ideas?

Sounds like a problem in the charging system. I do not know if the Shadow has an alternator or a stator. A battery charger to charge the battery over night will postpone the trip to the shop for a while if you are broke or do not ride much

O When you got the new battery did you charge it up full?

o You will need the shop manual and a digital multimeter to diagnose if the problem is the stator or the regulator rectifier

Loose wire / bad ground from / to battery and at alternator. It ain't rocket science to check the charging voltage. Should be at least 13.5 volts across the battery. Amazing that people don't tighten nuttin' on their bikes.

You either have one of three things going on.
A parasitic electrical drain when the ignition is off.
A faulty charging system - could be just dirty wiring bad connector (check the stator to rectifier connector under the seat -the big connector with 3 yellow wires on both sides - see if it is burnt) - to a stator/rectifier issue
A defective new battery (least likely).
You will need volt/ohm (multimeter) to track down the problem