I am still a bit concerned that there is more going on, maybe a cause to my battery dying. Would this weak or faulty battery cause the ammeter to show a negative charge while the bike is at idel and then only a slight charge while the bike is at high revs never settling down into the middle position?
just wondering if i also have a rectify/regulator problem or startor/altenator.
With your older alternator, what you describe sound about right.
You say you charge with a trickle charger. I don't know what kind it is but in the past they tend to over charge batteries by not adjusting the voltage. I very strongly recommend "Battery Tender". They are a good company. Honest in my opinion and very knowledgeable. I will attach a link to Battery Tender. Read at least the first 3 under the "Tech Info" heading. They will explain charging in detail that is very understandalbe.
I may have mislead you on a voltage, fat fingers or lazy brain. A 12 V lead acid wet battery will, in good or new condition fully charged will have 2.13333 volts per cell or 12.8 VDC. After taking the charger off it will read higher. Let it set for an 30 min. to an hour. The reading should be at or about 12.8 and hold there for some time. The aforementioned battery will self-discharge at a rate of 2-3% per day.
]http://www.batterytender.com/]