Starting problem - bad battery?

Hi guys, I need your help. The other week I started my bike, cold start with no choke and it fired no problem. I went just now to do it and all it does is turn (even with the choke) but the battery is for sure weak... I know if I jump it it will start, but my question is, should this battery be weak only after sitting for a week? I don't think it should, but then again, this is my first time owning a bike...

Thanks, Anthony.

 

No , not after only one week. This time of year the heat makes the battery lose fluid. The H2O evaporates. I would pull the battery and check the fluid level. If low add only distilled water so no contaminates get in. Then trickle charge and once the bike is up and running check the charging output with a multimeter. If below 13.5 volts then pull the alternator cover and check the brushes.

 

BlueMaxim, I took a pic of the brushes, I have not yet done the trickle charge yet, but after I jumped her, and ran her for 45 min, I shut her off and tried to start, barely one turn...

here are the brushes...

 

Best I can tell the brushes look good. Can't see the line but the length is almost as long as mine. Did you check the battery fluid level? A 45 minute ride is plenty long enough to charge the battery. So either it is not getting charged or not taking a charge. Next two steps are checking the fluid and using a multimeter to check charging voltage. The fluid is really important. A prolonged low fluid level will lead to sulfation. A condition where sulfate crystals form on the lead plates. They are white spots and will deplete the battery's strength in such a way that it will never come back to full strength.

 

I can see the line, they look like 5mm from the plate it's self... Ok, I'll check the fluids tomorrow and let ya know...

 

If you were having problems starting it and killed your battery it might stay dead. This happend to my last week actually were i was switching out my carb boots and tunning it. I killed my battery trying to start it and now it's pooched. I guess you cant leave them dead for more than a day.

 

Ok I did the test. She never once was above 13.5v, also hanging around 11v, but was never at a solid number. So should I go and buy a new battery?

 

Yes.

 

Indeed! Don't want a dead battery to strand you somewhere that they don't have the battery you need. Results are usually a great deal of teeth nashing and pulling of hair, not to mention a much lighter wallet.

 

Ok, bought a new battery, going to charge her up tonight and put her in tomorrow and see what happens...

Thanks guys!

 

Basically anytime the charge level gets below 12.4v, the plates begin to sulfate. The lower the voltage, the faster they sulfate. If the charge gets below 10.5v, the battery will never fully recharge, and it will lose some of its cranking amp capacity. There is no way to revive a battery that has been completely drained or has excessively sulfated plates. If this has occurred, just buy a new battery. Its not worth getting stranded. Our bikes can be pushstarted if theyre warm, but if it's been sitting for a bit, you can forget it.

 

Ok, I put the new battery in and it started first turn I checked the volts going across while running and it was a steady 14.5v.

 

Hurray! Now get to riding! Be safe!

 

Will do! (right after I write my m1 lol maybe this week :? )