bike won't start

Hi all,

I'm about to bring my bike out of winter storage ('84 Honda Shadow).
It all looks good, but it won't start. The lights come on (though
they did start to fade by the end), and it starts to turn over, but it
doesn't catch. (electronic starter) It wasn't starting too well by
the end of the season last year, but I wasn't riding it much at that
point either (just on weekends). I did not have a trickle charger set
up for the winter. (I know, I know)

My first guess is the battery, even though the lights came on. Is
this likely? If so, what's the best way to recharge it (after I check
the battery level).

Are there other options?

Thanks,
Dave

 

An easy test:
Take the battery from your car or pull up next to it.
Don't start the car.
Connect booster cables from the battery to the bike.
Positive to positive. Car negative to bike chassis.
Try and start it. Don't let it turn over too long or you will burn out your
starter.
If it starts up fairly quickly, it's definitely the battery.
2 cents.

 

Yup, it was the battery. I bought a charger (should have bought one
last season), hooked it up in the morning, came back in the afternoon,
all charged, installed, started on the second try, which ain't bad for
the first start in many months. I have to say the local Honda dealer
was pretty nice - they offered to charge it up for free.

One more lesson learned...

Thanks for the help.
Dave