First Generation Ascots > The Thumper Years: Stock To Lightly Modified

Not charging?

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michiganadam:
Got my carb problems fixed yesterday (I have depression issues...). Took it for a test ride followed by around 80 miles of riding. Of course the bike had been sitting for a while and i hadn't charged the battery or anything. Rode it multiple times today. In the middle of the night I took a 2up night ride with my girlfriend. Stopped to stretch our legs andddd...bike wouldnt start. clickclickclickclick. We push started it and got it going, and the headlights got a little brighter as we drove on...we were quite a ways from home too. Made it all the way home. When we got home i shut it off and the lights instantly died. This tells me that the alternator was working atleast somewhat.

I dunno why the battery would just die in the middle of the summer like that. Had no problems starting it whatsoever earlier. How should i diagnose the battery vs the alternator?

Also, i had the battery and battery box removed from the bike while i worked on the carb. The battery cables were all tight. The little connection into the round thing by the battery, which i had disconnected during the work, was still tight and everything....

Thanks in advance. :)

Lefty:
Do you have a multimeter, if not you should get one- with the engine runnig, attach the leads to the battery & if it's charging should read 13+ volts.
A service manual will run you through alternator testing.

J6G1Z:
Lefty is right on with that information.

I'm betting that your battery is giving up the ghost. Below is my "broken record" reply to battery issues.

See if you have a Batteries Plus store nearby your home: http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-storeloc.aspx

Take your fully charged battery there & ask them to load test it. Most likely it is time to replace it. Do yourself a favor & step up to a "Made In The USA" sealed AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt) type of battery. Batteries Plus offers two types of AGM batteries. One made in China & one made in the USA. You want the USA manufactured battery. Be prepared to spend some money, but it's worth the extra $'s. While your at it, pick up a "Battery Tender". Batteries Plus offers a $10 off deal when you buy a battery & a Tender at the same time. http://www.batteriesplus.com/product_search/36126-Battery-Tender-Jr-dot-12V-750mAh-DASH--DASH-Deltran-Battery-Charger-DBT021--0123.aspx
The Battery Tender has a "Hard Wire Accessory" that comes with it. It allows you to add the wire to your battery terminals along with your bikes battery leads. Then there is a nice weather proof connector that you can route to an easy to reach location. Now when you park your bike, you can just connect your Battery Tender & plug it into the wall. This set up will provide you with a nice sealed battery that won't vent corrosive fumes onto parts of your bike & should last you a minimum of 5-6+ years of trouble free operation.

Good luck
J.

PS. If you want to go super trick & remove five to ten pounds from your bike, check out AntiGravity Batteries. They are incredibly compact & usually weigh in at 3lbs or less. http://antigravitybatteries.com
Check out the pricing on Amazon.com

michiganadam:
Yes i have a multimeter, i guess i was tired last night cause i didnt even think about using it. And I'll check out batteries plus. we do in fact have one. Thanks.

michiganadam:
I trickle charged the battery. Read 12.5 volts or so. Turned the ignition on. And the reading just instantly dropped. 9 volts, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0.....now it's at 0.

Nice.../

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