Clock reset on new Vulcan 900

I just bought a new 900 Vulcan several days ago. So far it has been
great with one minor exception: When I turn the bike off and let it sit
overnight I notice my clock loses several hours. I know this sounds
like a petty problem but I am wondering if it might be an indication of
a future serious electrical problem. My theory is that for some reason
the back up battery that keeps the chip that runs the clock powered up
must be shutting down sometime when the engine is off. It is not a big
deal to me if the clock isn't accurate but IF a computer module screws
up sometime in the future because of this and leaves me stranded. . .
that would ruin my day. I know there aren't many of the 900 Vulcans on
the road yet but I am just curious if any of you have had a similar
problem?
TIA,
Dennis

 

I've never come across a bike that has a back-up battery for the clock.
You disconnect the battery; the clock goes dead. That's always been my
experience.

I really doubt that something as basic as a clock is controlled by a
chip. Much more likely that there's a simple wiring connection fault.

 

Sometimes these days, 'battery' is spelt 'condenser' (or 'capacitor',
depending on geographical location). The OP doesn't say explicitly, but
gives the impression that the clock doesn't go completely into reset mode
but retains some state ("loses several hours"); it'd help diagnosis if
it was verified whether the clock stopped at the time the ignition was
switched off, ran for some time past that, or continued to run at a
reduced rate with ignition off.

Consider how your Mac works; a small "battery"-backed module maintains
the time when the machine is off and the computer reads this when it is
booted, to set system time. Whilst running, the computer's time may be
adjusted, either manually or via calls to an internet time-server; when
the machine is shutting down it then writes its "accurate" system time into
the module so that time is maintained while the computer is off. Standard
mass-produced system parts, I bet they turn up in more computer-controlled
systems than just PCs.

I'd agree with you but I find it hard to imagine a wiring fault
that only stops or slows the time-keeping rather than completely resetting
the module.

--
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Brunel University. Ivan.Reid@[brunel.ac.uk|cern.ch] Room 40-1-B12, CERN
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KotPT -- "for stupidity above and beyond the call of duty".

 

Ye-es. I see what you mean. An odd one.

 

Why would you mess with electricals on a new bike that you obviously aren't
customizing (assumed, of course, as your only concern is your clock losing
time)?

Take it back to the dealer... fix it under warranty and be done with it.

 

.....is the right answer ;-))

 

I will have it checked out when I take it in for the 500 mile service
next week. I was just hoping some of you might have had a similar
problem so I could give my dealer a heads up. As far as I know my 900
Kaw was one of the first dozen sold here in Lincoln, Nebraska so the
dealer probably hasn't seen too many of them yet. Unless a service
bulletin is out about this problem mechanics usually don't know what to
look for.

Dennis