Battery or Something else.

[ksptrooper]

My 1999 RSV has had a lot of work done to it since I purchased it last year. The original owner let it sit for a couple of years. Upon going through it I had to repair wiring in the fairing due to mice as well as replace air filters with the same problem (MICE). I had the carbs rebuilt and synched..replaced all worn parts along with all the fluids, new tires, brakes amongst add-ons. I relayed the passing lights and installed a mic-mute along with a GPS. I also put a small fuse block in for the accessories with a relay. Everything is on ignition hot. I replaced the battery with a new fully charged one. It has been on for about two months. Yesterday I get it out for a ride and when I went to start it, it wouldn't..I hadn't ridden it for two weeks or so and a keep a battery tender on it. It fires up usually on the first hit of the switch.. It seems as though the battery didnt have enough juice to start it. I used another battery to jump start it and it started just fine. I rode it for about 40 miles to a friends house. When I tried to restart, the same thing. Had to jump it again. Once it fires, it runs great. I brought it back home and cut it off. I waited a few and it fired right back up only it was a little weak. Checked the battery and it was 12.9 volts. A few minutes later no start...So my question is battery, starter, stator, starter relay? I also have an oil leak that only drips after I have ridden it for a while. It quits after a few drops. Comes from the left side but cant find its origin...Thoughts? The help is greatly appreciated...

[gibvel]

Does the trip meter reset to 0 when you try to start it? To me it sounds like you've got a dead cell. I had an interstate that was only a year old, kept it on the battery minder and it got to the point where it would barely start the bike.

 

Get it started and put a volt meter across the battery terminals. If you read in the neighborhood of 14V then your stator should be good. Might be the regulator as well. Have the battery load tested... although I had mine load tested and they said it was good. So that's a 2 edged sword.

 

As for the oil, is it coming from the rubber drain tubes just behind the kickstand? That would be my guess. How full is the oil in the crankcase? If you fill these bikes over half way up the sight glass they have a tenancy to spit it out into the breather box and some may be leaking down the tubes.

[Chinto]

I also have an oil leak that only drips after I have ridden it for a while. It quits after a few drops. Comes from the left side but cant find its origin...Thoughts? The help is greatly appreciated...

 

Check the vent tube coming out on the left side for oil. Often occurs if the oil level is to high. There should be about 3 tubes extending down below the frame. If one of the tubes is very oily check the oil level.

[ksptrooper]

Yes the trip meter resets....As for the oil, it seems to be coming from somewhere above tha hoses...Its been doing this for sometime. The stator wire was silicone sealed, not sure if there are two...

[wes0778]

Yes the trip meter resets....As for the oil, it seems to be coming from somewhere above tha hoses...Its been doing this for sometime. The stator wire was silicone sealed, not sure if there are two...

 

If it won't start after being on the tender for a day, I'd suspect failed battery first. Take it somewhere and have it load tested.

[Trader]

check all the connections again.

 

There was a recent thread that sounded very similar to this and it was just a bad connection...even though he THOUGHT he had checked, cleaned and tightened them.

[Flyinfool]

If it won't start after being on the tender for a day, I'd suspect failed battery first. Take it somewhere and have it load tested.

 

I have seen brand new bad batteries.

Check to make sure that the battery connections are shiny clean.

If you are taking to the place the you bought it from. DONT tell them that they just sold you this one untill after they load test it. If they ask, just tell them it is old. You can say this with all honesty if you are comparing it to the adult life of a mayfly (1 day).