89 VR Not Starting

[philtrex]

Good day all. I have a new to me 89 VR that I obtained last September. I leave it in storage in PA while teaching in FL for 9 months out of the year.

 

Last year I put a new battery in it had it running prepped it for storage and put covered her up. I took an ohm meter test at 11.5 volts, pulled the battery, put it in a cool, dark room for the winter. Plan was to have daughter slow charge it every month. Didn't work out due to military commitments. Today I pulled it out, took an ohm meter test at 6.5 v been slow charging it and now reading 10.4 volts.

 

When I try and start it, I get a clicking noise in front of the battery, and no turning of the motor. I am going to let the slow charge on for the night, and if that doesn't work, maybe try a new battery.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Just by reading this forum I have LEARNED A LOT, and have already figured somethings out to help me along with this bike.

 

THANKS ALL....

 

Phil

[Great White]

Sounds like battery is junk....

[cimmer]

Get yourself a AGM battery, and I would recommend a Deka brand and also a smart battery charger such as a Battery Tender brand that will let you hook it up for long term storage of your battery. I dont think the 10.4v is enough to turn over the engine, so I think I would be looking for that new battery if it doesnt charge up.

Rick F.

[Flyinfool]

Your battery was already discharged when you stored it. A good charged battery should read 12.6 volts, since you were at 11.5 when you put it into storage, it was already very low, storing a low battery will kill it very quickly.

Don't wast your time trying to charge with a small trickle charger, get a charger that can charge at at least 5 amps. A smaller charger can work but it can take many days to fully charge.

 

Get the battery fully charged and take it in to almost anyplace that sells batteries to have it load tested. This will give you a definitive good or bad on the battery.

[Karaboo]

What Jeff said! And if it froze in storage (they tend to do that without a full charge) it may not be good news.