could flat battery be caused by ignition switch leaking on MF 35 3cyl

[startinghandle]

a neighbour has a MF 35 3 cyl and 2 weeks after fitting new battery it went flat so i charged it and it started straight away but when I stopped engine and checked for leakage with multimeter between positive batt terminal and lead there was a big discharge but the discharge stopped when I disconnected ignition switch feed wire from main batt feed on solenoid ... is it possible for leakage to be fault with ignition switch?
thanks in advance

 

[Sharpy]

Could it be discharging through the dynamo via a faulty regulator? Connect it up again and see what happens when you pull the big wire at the dynamo?

 

[startinghandle]

thanks sharpy I will try that

 

[tomlad]

heater on ?? thermostart

 

[renewablejohn]

Fit a deadman switch. Also confuses our travelling friends.

 

[REStracTORATION]

+1 for regulator sticking
Check the switch to see it's not sticking in a position that allows a discharge