French Electrics and SOFEB Update

So, the Tart's total electrical failure was down to the battery and
nothing but the battery. No earth fault. Could even have been the
reason for the mystery Cadwell syndrome a few weks ago.

Apparently the gel battery on the early models has been known to 'cook'
before. It sits very low right next to the v. hot oil tank. Two track
days and a long ride in high 30's temperatures too much for an already
less than optimum 6 year old example. Patrick was surprsied that it had
not just died completely and had briefly come back to life

The good news - replaced FOC under warranty. No bad for a bike actually
6 years old (although only owned by me for two).

As for the Shite Old French Enduro Bike, that is now not only in my
possesion but also properly registered in my name and insured in
France.

The 97 YZ250 Enduro is a bit hard to find neutral on when running
(check gear box oil as on lad's KX65) and the rear suspension is a bit
creaky (hopefully just needs lubricating). Otherwise it shows potential
greatly in excess of its new owner.

 

Didn't you say you put jump leads on the wrong way round at one point,
& it started working after that? If so, that'll be why. A bit of
reverse polarity charging is a good way to kick an otherwise dead
battery back into life. Not recommended on a good battery, obviously.


--
Krusty.

http://www.muddystuff.co.uk
http://www.muddystuff.us
Off-road classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger (FOYRNB) '96 Tiger '79 Fantic 250

 

Krusty wrote

Not recommended on any fucking battery and for the simple reason that it
is likely to do much more harm than good. I certainly wouldn't do it.

 

But if the battery's totally dead & won't take a charge, it can't do
any more harm. It'll either work (& has done once for me), or won't
work, in which case you're no worse off than you were before.


--
Krusty.

http://www.muddystuff.co.uk
http://www.muddystuff.us
Off-road classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger (FOYRNB) '96 Tiger '79 Fantic 250

 

Not reversed polarity. I had connected up the jump leads correctly and
then the positive lead clamp popped off the Tart's battery and shorted
on the frame. Possibly a complete red herring that it came to life
briefly after that. It also resurrected itself spontaneously on one
occasion just turning the key. Fortunately on presenting the bike to
Patrick it was playing up - just a very feeble voltage available.

Not heard of reverse charging helping, but a rapid complete discharge
through a high resistance followed by a re-charge has worked for me a
couple of times.