Halp!

[Kaldari]

I have a '00 busa. It has always started up fine until a couple weeks ago. I started it up and let it warm up a bit as usual before riding. Got all suited up, got on the bike, went to take off, and silly me the stand was down so the safety mechanism shut the bike off. Put the stand up, went to start the bike again, and it wouldn't fully turn over. I thought this was odd, I had just started up the bike not 15 minutes prior! So I assume it has to be the alternator. I didn't feel like messing with the bike that day, so I just said screw it and recovered it.

About a week later, it still did the same thing when I first tried starting it. I got out the jumper cables and viola, started right up. Took it up the street and back (few miles), turned it off, started it back up, thought everything was cool. Didn't plan on running it that day so I just recovered her.

Today, same story. Started off with it not wanting to turn all the way over. But then it started clicking, and after a few more pushes the clicking got really fast. I only know the basics about engines and electrical systems, so I have no idea on this. Maybe a starter relay?

I took the battery out and tested it with a voltmeter and it was reading barely under 12v, so I'm assuming the battery is good. And if it still had 12v after my last short right, am I right is assuming the alternator is still good?

I put the battery back in and figured I would just jump it off again and see what happens. With the cables attached, it then turned over no problem, but the bike wouldn't start.

So maybe you guys can help me out. I have a bike that won't turn over completely and has recently started clicking without cables attached, and a bike that turns over fine but won't start with cables attached.

Thanks.

 

[mike1180]

A battery in good condiion has a voltage of 12.9 to 13.4 volts.
Try charging yours for a bit off the bike.
If it doesn't get to between these 2 voltages, you need a new battery.
To keep it up to snuff get a "battery tender" to monitor the chage and discharge and keep it fully charged.

This is the one I use:
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_3

 

[BA BUSA]

Charge up your battery and check the voltage under a load too (while cranking)...it should charge up to between 12.5v-13.2...plus or minus a tenth or two. While cranking the voltage should stay above 11-12v.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Kaldari]

Even if the battery is bad though, that wouldn't explain it not wanting to start when I jump it and it turns over fine.

 

[mike1180]

I wouldn't jump mine except in case of emergency.
There is too much that can go wrong and blow electrical components.
If you are only measuring less than 12 volts, for sure it is the battery.
Start there and I think your problem is over.

 

[Wag]

New battery. That's what the clicking sound is all about. The starter solenoid isn't getting enough juice to engage it.

--Wag--

 

[Kaldari]

I've verified the battery is dead. Gave it a full charge and hit it with a voltmeter after 2 hours.

So, new battery it is.

On the other hand though, I hope it starts up when I get the new battery in. That first time I jumped it off it started up fine, but this last time it didn't want to fire up like I said.

Could I have damaged something by jumping it like you suggested might happen? If so, what might have been damaged if it turns over but doesn't start? Each time I jumped it I only left it on there the split second it took me to pull the clutch in and hit the button. I pulled it off right after every time because it did seem weird hitting this little bike battery with the battery in my Silverado even though they are both 12v.

Anyway, thanks guys.

 

[mike1180]

You will probably be OK.
Just remember to shut off the vehicle you are boosting from and never mix up the cables.
Positive to positive and neg to neg.....
Neg on boosting batt first then on boosted batt.
Positive on boosting batt second and then just touch it to the boosted battery pos., until it gets going.
Let us know how it goes..

 

[Wag]

Unlikely you damaged anything.

--Wag--

 

[DevilDawg1]

A battery with a dead cell can show good on a voltage check. But the battery will not put out enough amperage to turn over the engine. Always check a battery under load and check the amperage as well as the voltage.