Introductions / Battery problem

[tumult]

Greetings everybody, Just found out about this site.

I am a newbie rider, took the MSF class in July
and got an '02 GS500.  I have logged
about 400 miles so far, mostly city.  So much fun.

Ok, now for my problem.  Basically, the bike
won't start because the battery is low.  The starter
will turn over one or two times, then it just clicks.

This has happened three times so far.

The first time it happened, I brought it in to the shop
thinking the battery was toast.  The mechanic told
me the battery is in great shape, takes a charge no
problem, etc.  Our theory was that I had left the parking
light on, which drained the battery.

Since then I have been verrry careful about the parking
light.  The second time it happened I was able to able to push
start it, and I had no problems for a week or two.

This morning it happened a third time, the starter turned over
about five or six times, and this time the bike not only
didn't start, it backfired.  Again, push started it, and
off to the races.

I live in San Franciso, and park the bike on the street.  I cover
it when it rains, but otherwise leave it uncovered.

When uncovered, it does get wet from condensation.  I wonder if
that is contributing to the problem.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Tim

[MarkusN]

Have you looked at the plugs? I got that behaviour when mine were carbon fouled from too rich mixture in cold weather. The backfiring indicates that it doeas get fuel, so probably no problem there.

What are the temps? Batteries don't like to work in the cold. Also, how long do you usually ride it? If it's for very short distances the battery may never get a chance to recup that drain of the reluctant starting.

[scratch]

Welcome!

Yes, it's cold here in the bay area right now, and it's even colder in SF, so I wouldn't be suprised if it's the cold that's affecting the battery. Cover the bike anyway. Expecially to keep those crackheads from stealing your sparkplugs.

[se7enty7]

stealing sparkplugs???

[tumult]

Thanks for the info everybody.

I haven't looked at the plugs.  I will do that this weekend.

My trips tend to be short, however last time the battery
ran down, I went for a long ride to get it charged up.
How long should I ride it to make sure it is fully charged?

Cheers,
Tim

[luke1645]

stealing sparkplugs???

theives use the ceramic on sparkplugs to break windows on cars...saw it demonstrated on the news one time. free and easy pickings if its sitting out.

[se7enty7]

stealing sparkplugs???

theives use the ceramic on sparkplugs to break windows on cars...saw it demonstrated on the news one time. free and easy pickings if its sitting out.

wtf are you joking me?  To break a window? What's wrong with a rock, or brick, or anything else... what about the ratchet they would use to take the plug out in the first place???

[TheGoodGuy]

well this is definately due to teh cold.. i had problems with mine in the cold.. if you ride it more than 15miles a day it will hold charge, but frankly you either need a garage, or a charger to keep the battery warm when you are not riding it.

As for sparkplugs, i thought they took it smoke their crack in it?

[JetSwing]

one morning, i came out and found my battery totally dead...so i took it in to get it charged. it took only about 10 minutes to get it fully charged...

another time, same thing...dead battery in the morning. just left it and went to work. came back during lunch, and it started up just fine.

[tumult]

Well the good news is I am getting really good at push starting.

[John Bates]

Well the good news is I am getting really good at push starting.

Is there a "kick start" mod for the GS? :lol:

[se7enty7]

Well the good news is I am getting really good at push starting.

Is there a "kick start" mod for the GS? :lol:

I remember being about 8.. kick starting that suzuki DS80... man I abused that thing like nothing else... wow.. ironic.. it was a 1989.. like my gs.. lol

Let's see.. I was like 8.. so 12 years ago.. 1993? 1994?

Wow.. I remember trading a bicycle for that little DS80... to some rich kid who tore it up.  I remember rebuilding the carb, and cleaning it up w/ my dad... right before he left  :x at age 10...


eh I got a lot of experiance....