Beach Bum Posted September 26, 2015 #1 Posted September 26, 2015 So I headed off to a buddy's retirement party tonight. Stopped for gas and everything was okay. 4 miles down the road I'm in a long line in the left turn lane on a busy 4 lane road when the bike just up and quits. First symptom was the blinker going all wonky. Started blinking really fast then erratic then the bike just stalled. Then click. Clickkkkkkkkkk. Damn. Somehow traffic cleared enough for me to push the bike across 4 lanes and into the entrance to a gas station. Steep driveway really reminded me just how heavy the bike is as I could only get a few feet up and out of the street. I am really glad I decided to put a 10mm ratchet in the trunk as I was able to get the seat off and check the obvious. Battery terminals were tight. Damn. Because the battery came with the bike and I had no idea how old it was I decided to walk across to the Walmart catty corner from where I was stranded and see if they had a battery in stock. Miracle of miracles there were some on the shelf and they were sealed so I didn't even have to fill it up on the side of the road. Managed to install the battery without losing any of those stupid square nuts (hardware was missing from the box, my bad for not checking) and she cranked right up. I guess tomorrow I have to check the charging system to make sure it isn't more than a battery. I was supposed to go on a poker run for a local disabled vet tomorrow but now I'm sketchy. I also realized that there's no way in hell I could load this bike into the back of my truck without a BUNCH of help. All in all it could've been a lot worse. I made it home and into the garage in one piece and didn't have to go back with a trailer. I hate spending $80 for Walmart battery but it beats the alternative. Hoping this is the last of trouble for a while.
cowpuc Posted September 26, 2015 #2 Posted September 26, 2015 I am with ya Beach, me and Tip - we dont much care for pushing these great big ol heavy mudsuckers much either - matter of fact, Tippy actually likes it less than I do.. Anyway,, I get chur drift brother!! Thankfully you made it home ok my friend and didnt have to retrace with the truck, to me that is even less fun than pushing. Tell ya what,, knowing how the fan can suck the life out of a battery and by the sound of things (you stated you had an extended wait in a long line of traffic) you were well into running the fan - if it was mine and the bike didnt have a volt meter on it (no idea which scoot your riding) I would just walk out into the garage, crank er up, let it idle and watch the headlight as I spun er up a little bit.. You should be able to detect a change in the headlight on the garage wall as it revs - should get brighter. Yea,, I know,, may not be the same as going thru all the testing and all that BUT - aint no way I would miss "the party" if that headlight was telling me she is charging. Anyway, glad you made it back home safely!! Oh, by the way,, I have used MANY of those Walmart batteries with some pretty awesome results - one nice thing about Wally World - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE if ya have problems!!
cowpuc Posted September 26, 2015 #3 Posted September 26, 2015 I am with ya Beach, me and Tip - we dont much care for pushing these great big ol heavy mudsuckers much either - matter of fact, Tippy actually likes it less than I do.. Anyway,, I get chur drift brother!! Thankfully you made it home ok my friend and didnt have to retrace with the truck, to me that is even less fun than pushing. Tell ya what,, knowing how the fan can suck the life out of a battery and by the sound of things (you stated you had an extended wait in a long line of traffic) you were well into running the fan - if it was mine and the bike didnt have a volt meter on it (no idea which scoot your riding) I would just walk out into the garage, crank er up, let it idle and watch the headlight as I spun er up a little bit.. You should be able to detect a change in the headlight on the garage wall as it revs - should get brighter. Yea,, I know,, may not be the same as going thru all the testing and all that BUT - aint no way I would miss "the party" if that headlight was telling me she is charging. Anyway, glad you made it back home safely!! Oh, by the way,, I have used MANY of those Walmart batteries with some pretty awesome results - one nice thing about Wally World - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE if ya have problems!!
Beach Bum Posted September 26, 2015 Author #4 Posted September 26, 2015 It's all good. I've got it on a trickle charger overnight and will put a meter on it in the morning. We've had so much rain lately that the bike has sat in a hot garage a bunch. If it's charging, I'm riding.
uncledj Posted September 26, 2015 #5 Posted September 26, 2015 A challenge met and overcome. Glad it worked out for ya. There's not too many things that'll humble ya quicker than a breakdown, ...... especially if it's far from home.
Beach Bum Posted September 26, 2015 Author #6 Posted September 26, 2015 Update... Checked the charging voltage this morning and it's a cool 13.78v at idle. Looks like the battery just decided to sh!t the bed at a most inopportune moment. Then I found out that my ride is next Saturday. So I went for a ride anyways.
Zzyzx Posted September 26, 2015 #7 Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) Nothing ever brakes down when we are in our shops, usually only when we are in the middle of B.F.E. You're lucky stars were aligned with the Wal-Mart so close and the $80.00 spent on the new battery should hold you over for 2 to 3 years if you keep it on a trickle charger from time to time. Edited September 26, 2015 by Zzyzx
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