gibvel Posted November 3, 2009 #1 Posted November 3, 2009 Okay, I bought my present battery 3/28/08. Since then it has performed flawlessly. About 3 or 4 weeks ago headed down to Denver I had a flat. Had the bike towed to a Yamaha dealer/shop for a new tire. They had the bike for a week and I picked it up the next Saturday. They brought it out to the lot and, after gearing up I got on and tried to start it. It barely started. Rode it about 4 blocks and went into another store, came out and it started a bit better but not stellar. Got it home, put it on the battery minder and it's started well since then. Terminals are tight and clean. This last weekend I did some work and Saturday took it for a little ride and filled the gas. Sunday I put some 44K in the tank, started the bike and let it idle for about 5 min. Started it yesterday morning, seemed normal, and came to work (temp about 34). It sat for about 12 hours and the temp outside never got above 42. Went to leave yesterday and the bike barely turned over again. Finally got it to turn over but had to crank it for awhile and it wasn't spinning as fast as usual. Got home and put it on the minder and it took about 1 to 1.5 hours for the light to start flashing. I believe the charging system is working fine because it charges the battery if I ride it. Could the first discharge event, at the dealer when getting the tire changed, have damaged the battery so now, when cold, it's not cranking as well? The darn thing isn't that old and has been kept on the minder when not in use for extended periods of time. Any thoughts?
ddoggma Posted November 3, 2009 #2 Posted November 3, 2009 If it has water in it. Check the level. My poor cranking was because I thought it was a gel batt. And didnt look at it closely. When I pulled it to clean stuff up, DOH! it was low...way low. Since I put some distilled water in it. It's been fine. Glad I did not ruin it. Being a dumba##
dynodon Posted November 3, 2009 #4 Posted November 3, 2009 The battery is about 1.5 years old, and it is possible the discharge at the dealers did some damage. Take it to a Battery store where they can really test it. have it fully charged when you do. I take mine to the Interstate distributor. they test the cells, and put it on a load to check for shorts or a dead cell. Even though 1.5 years isn't a long time, any battery at any time, even brand new ones, can go bad. Sounds like you have a bad cell.
gibvel Posted November 3, 2009 Author #5 Posted November 3, 2009 Do you take it in with it still in the bike or do you take it out and take it in? Would this be something that they could do at the auto parts stores or are the tests you're talking about special ones that go above and beyond the tests they perform? It actually is an interstate battery so maybe I'll look for a distributor.
Condor Posted November 3, 2009 #6 Posted November 3, 2009 Do you take it in with it still in the bike or do you take it out and take it in? Would this be something that they could do at the auto parts stores or are the tests you're talking about special ones that go above and beyond the tests they perform? It actually is an interstate battery so maybe I'll look for a distributor. One of the problems with any 'Motorsports' battery is they only give them a 1 .... maybe 2..... year warantee. Even the AGM's as good as they are. You would think that the industry would stand behind their AGM hype, and put a 3-5 year on the things, but old habits die hard I guess.
Squidley Posted November 3, 2009 #7 Posted November 3, 2009 The battery is about 1.5 years old, and it is possible the discharge at the dealers did some damage. Take it to a Battery store where they can really test it. have it fully charged when you do. I take mine to the Interstate distributor. they test the cells, and put it on a load to check for shorts or a dead cell. Even though 1.5 years isn't a long time, any battery at any time, even brand new ones, can go bad. Sounds like you have a bad cell. I would have to agree with Don here. I have known a few Ventures that have sudden death syndrom with the batteries. The Venture is VERY hard on the battery due to an inadiquate charging system. Although yours isn't very old I usually change my battery out every 2 to 3 years. I dont need one puking out during a 1000 mile road trip. Take it in to a reputable battery dealer with it fully charged out of the bike and have them load test it. It does kinda sound like a cell is bad or going bad
dynodon Posted November 3, 2009 #8 Posted November 3, 2009 Gibvel, If the battery is hard to get to, on my '86 you have to remove the tank cover, not a big deal, but still....ride it or take it out and carry it. Auto parts stores might be able to test, but call and see if they can do a "load" test. If it is Interstate, I would take it to an interstate dealer or distributor. Check the phone book for the distributor near you. I am lucky that my distributor is about 1 mile from my home! So I don't go to a dealer, just direct to the distributor.
gibvel Posted November 3, 2009 Author #9 Posted November 3, 2009 I found one in the town where I work. I'm going to give them a call and see what they have to say. Thanks for all the help, guys.
GeorgeS Posted November 4, 2009 #10 Posted November 4, 2009 Did you try Charging it !! With a 6 to 10 amp charger for about 8 hours.?? AGM type, you have to charger at a High Amperage Rate: Check voltage, NO LOAD, with a Digital voltmeter, 12.8 is fully charged. 12.4 or less, its under 40 percent charged. Your AGM battery is NOT a 12V battery. Its a 12.8 Volt battery. Even the AGM types need to be Charged now and then. I think in your case, " then is now " At least give it a try befor you spend money on a new battery.
V7Goose Posted November 4, 2009 #11 Posted November 4, 2009 Just about any modern auto parts store can properly load test the battery - nothing special about that test or the equipment needed. Just make sure you know the specific amp-hour rating of the battery when you take it in (look it up on Yuasa's web site). - that is needed for the test, and they won't have a clue. Goose
gibvel Posted November 5, 2009 Author #12 Posted November 5, 2009 Got the load test, battery tested fine. Cleaned up the posts, tightened all the connections really well, bike started fine. Funny thing is, since I got back from Texas the bike has had a "surge" while it was cold with very little or no choke. The engine sounded like it would speed up and slow down. That was gone when I started it yesterday and this morning also.
V7Goose Posted November 5, 2009 #13 Posted November 5, 2009 Got the load test, battery tested fine. Cleaned up the posts, tightened all the connections really well, bike started fine. Funny thing is, since I got back from Texas the bike has had a "surge" while it was cold with very little or no choke. The engine sounded like it would speed up and slow down. That was gone when I started it yesterday and this morning also. That does sound strange - can't think of anything that would have caused that. Surging is a very common problem with fuel injection, but rare with carbs. Maybe the corrosion on the battery terminal was enough to reduce the voltage to a level that was driving the electronic ignition module a bit crazy? Just a WAG . . . Or maybe you rode next to somebody with a CT on a motorcycle? Those are the root of all evil, ya know, so maybe it just took a few months for that "evil" that seeped into the cracks and crevices of your bike to get blown away! Heck, one friend of mine even had the seat blow off his bike after he made the mistake of letting one of our members with a CT share a cabin up at Vogel this year and park next to his bike! Them things are just bad stuff - never know what kind of problems you'll get. Goose
FreezyRider Posted November 5, 2009 #14 Posted November 5, 2009 That does sound strange - can't think of anything that would have caused that. Surging is a very common problem with fuel injection, but rare with carbs. Maybe the corrosion on the battery terminal was enough to reduce the voltage to a level that was driving the electronic ignition module a bit crazy? Just a WAG . . . Or maybe you rode next to somebody with a CT on a motorcycle? Those are the root of all evil, ya know, so maybe it just took a few months for that "evil" that seeped into the cracks and crevices of your bike to get blown away! Heck, one friend of mine even had the seat blow off his bike after he made the mistake of letting one of our members with a CT share a cabin up at Vogel this year and park next to his bike! Them things are just bad stuff - never know what kind of problems you'll get. Goose Even worse, he probably rode next to someone who had plugged or removed their AIS system!!! Sorry Goose, couldn't stop my fingers from typing that. BAD FINGERS!! BAD FINGERS!!
gibvel Posted November 5, 2009 Author #15 Posted November 5, 2009 That does sound strange - can't think of anything that would have caused that. Surging is a very common problem with fuel injection, but rare with carbs. Maybe the corrosion on the battery terminal was enough to reduce the voltage to a level that was driving the electronic ignition module a bit crazy? Just a WAG . . . Or maybe you rode next to somebody with a CT on a motorcycle? Those are the root of all evil, ya know, so maybe it just took a few months for that "evil" that seeped into the cracks and crevices of your bike to get blown away! Heck, one friend of mine even had the seat blow off his bike after he made the mistake of letting one of our members with a CT share a cabin up at Vogel this year and park next to his bike! Them things are just bad stuff - never know what kind of problems you'll get. Goose Hmmmm If I remember correctly there WAS a bike with a CT on it when we got you your house that Friday. It had been doing the surging ever since I got back from your place. Coincidence...???
BradT Posted November 6, 2009 #16 Posted November 6, 2009 Curious how far you ride to work. If it is cold out, let it idle while getting ready, then a short ride through town to get to work, I am thinking you are actually draining the battery. It sits all day in the cold (what oil viscosity?), and if you don't give it a good run (some higher RPM's) before putting it away, the battery may have drained. This could be normal, with the cold and the charging system. Brad
footsie Posted November 21, 2009 #17 Posted November 21, 2009 (edited) No NO, if you put on a CT it stops the surging, and if you plug AIS it improves handling, and the seat blowing off was because the bike was revolting because it wants its own CT and then the AIS system stipped off. The evil ones are those who do not admit that the ones of us who run CTs, are of obviously higher intelligence, have superior motorcyclists operations skills, and are just right about everything. Fingers out of control, and that all the bull excrement I can make up at this time. stay tuned for more usless babal that has nothing to do with this thread, and I know, I can't spell. Gregg Edited November 21, 2009 by footsie
Lone Eagle Posted November 30, 2009 #18 Posted November 30, 2009 What is the best battery everyone is running now? I think I have an Odyssy in mine - put it in last year - something might be draining it - - as this morning I had somewhat the same sympton - not starting. Put it on the tender for an hour - it started - had not ridden the bike for two weeks and it had gotten rather chilly here. With all my lights, etc., I am going to order that Buckeye stator - but was wondering if I shouldn't also buy a new battery?
Condor Posted November 30, 2009 #19 Posted November 30, 2009 What is the best battery everyone is running now? I think I have an Odyssy in mine - put it in last year - something might be draining it - - as this morning I had somewhat the same sympton - not starting. Put it on the tender for an hour - it started - had not ridden the bike for two weeks and it had gotten rather chilly here. With all my lights, etc., I am going to order that Buckeye stator - but was wondering if I shouldn't also buy a new battery? It might be the Odyssey, but I doubt it. In my opinion the Odyssey comes in #2 next to the Deka. Your stator may not be putting out enough to meet all the electrical demands of the bike. Or you might have an ambient drain when the bike is turned off. Try disconecting the battery after a days ride, and then connecting it again in the AM and see if it starts up OK. If it doesn't, you have a weak batt. If it does there's a good chance you have a drain while sitting, besides the normal milliamp drain for the dash clock etc....
frogmaster Posted November 30, 2009 #20 Posted November 30, 2009 Curious how far you ride to work. If it is cold out, let it idle while getting ready, then a short ride through town to get to work, I am thinking you are actually draining the battery. It sits all day in the cold (what oil viscosity?), and if you don't give it a good run (some higher RPM's) before putting it away, the battery may have drained. This could be normal, with the cold and the charging system. Brad Brad might have hit on something (Oil Viscosity)? For what it is worth my 2008 RSV with 10,500 miles and has Original OEM Battery and I have NEVER had it on my battery charger (never ever)... On top of that last Winter I started my Bike every Week or Two and where I live Winter is 5 to 6 months (so 22 to 26 weeks) all winter long again no Battery charger. The OIL is Shell Rotella-T SYN 5w-40.
footsie Posted December 7, 2009 #21 Posted December 7, 2009 The stock yuasa is the best. I change batteries approx every 5 years. Gregg
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