Lucked out yesterday!... Now need suggestions

[Tisunac]

My wife and I went for a short 50-60 miles ride yesterday. On our way back, about 20 miles from home, my bike started acting unusual - first our intercom died, than came back, died again and went on and off for several times before quitting completely. Almost at the same time bike started stalling when accelerating in a second gear. First just a little bit, than more and more... It scared us a bit since we were riding in the middle of nowhere and it was late in the afternoon. Stalled only in a second gear, as soon as I shifted into third it was running fine. Had to stop twice at intersections and it stalled in both first and second gear but then sounded fine after shifting into third. After quite a bit of stalling (never died completely) we approached our neighborhood. And as soon as we rolled on our driveway THE BIKE DIED! I guess my faithful bike brought us home first and than died!...

 

Since it was late (dark) I didn't touch it and will see what's going on today, after work. Any suggestions? The bike have absolutely no power, nothing works. My guess is either the alternator or the battery. Any known "usual suspect" since it started with the intercom and then stalling? Is it okay if I jump start it from a car (never did it before)? My battery is about 2-3 years old, gel battery from Battery Plus, the best one they had... The bike is 1999 Venture with around 33K miles. I rode the bike several times in last week or so with no problems...

[steamer]

I would go with the battery first. if it checks out then start looking deeper.

[Flyinfool]

Here ya go;

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=81297

[Tisunac]

Thank you, that is very helpful. I appreciate it.

[BigLenny]

Tisunac,

 

You are describing exactly what happened to me and my wife two weeks ago. Except for, after it running rough it died in the middle of nowhere and we had to have my son bring us my truck and trailer to get the bike home. I started a thread just like you have asking if it could be the battery or the stator or the r/r. The bike was dead as a doornail and showed no life. I waited a day after we got it back home and went out and checked it. It was still dead. I took the seat off to look at the battery connections and noticed some corrosion on the positive post. I unscrewed the battery cable and scrubbed the cable end and battery terminal with a wire brush and hooked the cable back up. I turned the key on and the dash came to life. I hit the start button and the bike fired right up and has been running perfect ever since. I even did a 3 day 1000 mile ride this past weekend to Birmingham to go to the Barber museum and she ran perfect.

 

So, you might take your cables off and scrub them and your posts to see if that'll fix it.

 

Just a suggestion.

[Tisunac]

Big Lenny,

 

That would be phenomenal!... Hahaha... I'll try it as soon as I get home from work. I was planning to check the battery first and go from there....hoping that it IS the battery (the least expensive solution). Last night was dark and late and I just parked it, happy we got home Sorry to hear about your ordeal but I'm glad it was only the battery connection.

 

Thanks for your suggestion and your time.

[Flyinfool]

Which is exactly why cleaning the connections is at the beginning of the test procedure.

[XV1100SE]

Might be fuel pump too.

[Flyinfool]

Fuel pump would not stop it from cranking or stop the lights from going on.