Dead battery/bike acting up situation FIXED!

It was the battery. The lights don't flicker anymore, the bike starts up,
all cylinders are firing... this baby is ready to go.

I think a trickle-charger is going to be my next investment.

Can such a charger overcharge on trickle mode? Or are they designed not to
do that?

 

Just for reference, the old battery was at 11.94V and discharged quickly
when a turn signal I had laying around was connected, down to <10V within a
minute. The new one was at 12.4V.

 

Sounds great there Phil!!! I knew all your troubles would go away once
you put in the new battery.... I myself am waiting for one on my old
Honda....
As far as getting a trickle charger, make sure it is the kind that shuts
off once charged and goes back on only when needed. I kept mine hooked up
most of the winter (my other ride had it hooked up the other part of the
winter). I started the ol honda every few weeks, but by mid Feb., even that
couldn't keep the battery charged. So the new one is on order and shold be
in sometime this week, which is great since it is just starting to get into
the 50's nowadays. The charger run anywhere from ( i am guessing) 40 bucks
to 80 bucks.... i forgot what i paid for mine.. think it was somewhere
around 50 or so.... you won't need it that much in the warmer weather
though....

Fwed

 

In addition to addressing a dying battery, I happened to read this bit from
a.m.s a year back...

http://groups.google.com/group/alt....ent+light+bulbs&rnum=1&hl=en#c87970f484080278

or

http://snipurl.com/oafv

It seems that I should probably check all my electrics when I install the
following battery tender quick-mounts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=8041163387

They have a full warranty and everything, so I'm confident it was a good
purchase.

Thanks for all the tips, especially the "don't ride the bike when it's
electrics are dying" tip!

 

Definitely a good idea to check the charging path

alternator to rectifier (+regulator ?) to battery

including the ground connections.

The other question is whether you've overloaded it with add-on crap.

If you've got clean solid connections and not a whole bunch of
aftermarket
stuff you should be fine. Good job checking out the voltage drop on the
old
one. If new one's fillable, remember to check it and fill as needed.

 

I shall.

I haven't added on anything, but I did find a little Vance and Hines
PowerPak box that had wires coming out. I'm guessing it's for ignition
retard or advance or something... I really have no idea.

I figure that topping it off with my incoming battery tender that things
will be fine overall. I figure it's cheap insurance for any slightly
deficient power paths somewhere in the bike.

Both old and new were totally sealed... I didn't fancy the idea of acid
getting everywhere if it tipped over or anything.