Question for the gearheads here

[patch_bunny]

I went on a road trip the other day, and had some starting issues.

The bike started fine in my garage. I rode about 10 miles to fill up with gas, and when I started at the station, it gave a short, tired squeal, then started.  I rode 100 miles and topped off for gas, and when I started, it was much worse.

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Oog.  Not wanting ot risk trouble on the

Comments

[mrianti]

check all connections first , loose or corroded . at battery & relay & starter . & all grounds would be my first place to look .

[nrasser]

As said, check connections. Remove the battery connections and clean the wire ends and terminals with a wire brush. Smear a little bit of grease (any type works) on the mating surfaces before you bolt them back on.

In a good system, a bike battery that's properly maintained should go up to five years. Putting a decent float-charging tender on it once in a while, even if you're riding it regularly, will definitely help get the most out of any lead-acid battery.

[makovette]

It's a couple days later now... Did you figure out the reason for the problem yet?

[patch_bunny]

No, not yet. Started it up today, with the following results:

Cold: 12.6V
On: 11.9V
Start: 9.6V
Idle: 13.0V, then rises to 13.7V

Let idle for a few minutes.

Off: 12.9V
On: 12.1V
Start: 9.98V
Idle: 13.2V

I haven't had the time to do much more than that, but I'm taking some time off around this weekend, and I'll be able to more freely tinker. I will definitely try cleaning the leads and getting better connections, and checking the other connections are tight.

[panzier]

so 12.5 is well on the way to dead or partially discharged, you'd like to see 13 resting, the older rule of thumb is this,
voltage resting, key on = -1 volt, running +1.5 v over resting. If you bring up the revs, do you see the voltage climb to
something around 14.2-14.5? 13.5 would be a fully charged battery resting but you won't really be able to charge
it with 13.5. Put it on a tender first, charge it fully so it has a 4 hour resting charge over 13v. 2.2v/cell should see 13.2 easily.

clean all your cables, big battery ground and hot lead, check your main fuse for overheating, check the secondary chassis
grounds for loose/corrosion.

[patch_bunny]

When I rev it I'm seeing high 13's. Haven't hit 14V.