I rode my bike over to a friend's house tonight and left it for about 3.5 hours. When I went to turn if back on it wouldn't start and sounded like the battery had drained a lot. I've been having some problems getting it started sometimes and was thinking I might need to replace the battery, so I guess this confirms it.

So, do I need to get a specific type of battery or anything? Are there any chain stores (or ones in Ohio) that typically carry motorcycle batteries, or do I have to get it from a dealer?

Thanks,
Ian

Have you checked your charging system?  If you have a voltmeter, read the battery voltage at idle and at 5k rpm.  It should be between 13.5 and 15.5 volts DC.  If the voltage is OK then the problem is the battery.

good idea, thanks

I'm still going to replace the battery, though (it's old). Can anyone recommend a good one?

The ones at walmart should work fine but here they dont carry it at my walmart in tx.  But I am ordering one from interstate battery, they dont carry it either.  The one from interstate cost more but I would rather pay more for a better battery.

If you have more time than money, consider mail ordering an "economy battery" from Chaparral.  It cost me $24 plus $2 or $3 worth of electrolyte, and it's been going strong for over 2 years now.

For more info see this post.

roguegeek was supposed to have picked one up in February.  Did you get it, rg?  What's your opinion on it?

Thanks for the suggestion, Kerry, but I'm itching to get my bike back and get it running. If circumstances were different that'd be a much better choice. I ended up getting a Yuasa YB10L-B2 (the stock battery) from a dealer for $60. They filled it w/ acid but didn't have time to charge it before they closed so it's on my Battery Tender Jr. right now.

That's just as well.  They probably would have charged  it at 3A for 3hrs or something.

Sigh. I couldn't get the bike to even turn on w/ the new battery.


I charged it over night; my Battery Tender Jr. switched to the green light by the time I woke up this morning (about 14 hours) and I left it for another 4 before taking it off. The voltage read 12.5V. I took the old battery (it read 7.5V) and put the new one in. I accidentally put the leads on the opposite way (the new battery is backwards from the old one) and turned it on, but got no lights or anything so turned it off, and then realized it was on backwards. I put them on the correct way and turned it and but still got no lights or anything.

The battery I got was the Yuasa YB10L-B2, so it should work fine. Did I damage something when I put it on backwards? Any other ideas?

Quote from: iandunn... I accidentally put the leads on the opposite way (the new battery is backwards from the old one) and turned it on, but got no lights or anything so turned it off, and then realized it was on backwards. I put them on the correct way and turned it and but still got no lights or anything... Did I damage something when I put it on backwards? Any other ideas?

Hmmm. I would think that the steering diode/interlock circuitry would prevent the GS from turning over. If I understand you correctly, you now have no lights. You probably blew the 20A fuse. It is located near the battery box and under a red latching cap on the starter relay on my 90 GS. There should also be a spare fuse on the rubber mount for the starter relay, again for a circa 90 GS. What year is your bike?

If the bike tried to turn over with the battery backward, you would have been turning the starter motor the wrong way and it would have just slipped on the starter clutch...BUT I do not believe it ever got to that point.

Let's get the lights on first, then we will proceed.

It was just a blown fuse. The bike is starting great w/ the new battery I'm using the spare fuse right now. I know I need to buy a new spare, but is there any problem w/ using the old spare as the new main fuse? And can I buy any 20A fuse work from a hardware store for the new spare, or doesn it have to be specific?

Thanks for all your help, guys, you're lifesavers

Glad to hear it was just the fuse!    At least you are able to enjoy the better weather while I continue to work on my restoration project.

Take the fuse to your hardware store or WalMart and look in the automotive section for it. You could got to your favorite auto parts place and buy it also. Absolute worst case would be Radio Shack. There is nothing special about the fuse. Just make sure it is 20A and the correct size. Put the new spare back in the same place as the old one. You could also put a couple spares in a 35mm film cannister and store them under the seat with the tool kit...just in case.

You are very welcome! The best thing about GSTwin.com is the variety of minds that have the GS in common. Enjoy the day!