Sizzling sound

[groff22]

Hi Guys and Gals

Really hoping one of you can shed some light on a problem I started having.

1st off my bike hasn't been driven for a almost a week due to crappy weather so Thursday I decided to go for a ride. I put my key in the ignition, turn it to On -- Lights come on, everything is good then I go to start it and get  "click, click, click" so I'm thinking, alright the battery must be a little weak from sitting for a few days so I turn it off to get my battery charger...

When I come back a few minutes later I decide to try one more time before I charge/test the battery to see if it will kick over. So I turn the key into the ON position and hear a sizzling sound coming from under my seat.

When I checked where the sound might be coming from I noticed the Negative battery post and wire was EXTREMELY hot! and the post got a little darkened

A friend told me that sometimes if the battery is too charged up, it will make that sound, but it couldn't be because the bike was sitting there for almost a week.

Also, I checked the charge of the battery afterwards and it looked fine!

So this is where I stand, not sure if I need a new battery or if something is more seriously wrong with my bike.

Any thoughts?

Thanks all.

JG

[Rema1000]

Sounds like maybe there is a short, and the fuse is not popping.  There are two unfused portions of the wiring system: from the battery to the starter, and from the battery to the regulator/rectifier.

[ktrim]

a loose or dirty connection at the battery can or ground can make that same noise.  the increased resistance will also cause the terminals to get hot.  try cleaning the conections at the battery and see of this helps.  disconnect the cables and clean with a wire brush or light sandpaper then re-attache the cables.

[groff22]

ktrim: Thanks. Spent a good 30 min cleaning out all the grime on the connectors and got the bike started.