when i try to start my bike it sounds like its about to turn over, but then it makes a ticking noise, and the light flicker. im pretty sure its the battery ... but idk why it would be dead now. any other thoughts? or is it the battery? 

could be have you tryed to bump start it,
or it could be that you have a bad connection at the starter relay.
look at the obvious first

It's the battery.

ty.

when I finished my engine swap, it wouldn't start right away.  I pulled the battery, charged it up, used a little of that engine starter fluid stuff and it started up after a little fussing. 

But yeah +1 for the battery

yeah it was the battery ... but i pushed started it ... and rode it to a friends garage, only to be stored their all winter. the GS has left the building. 

I hope you removed the battery for storage.

Anyway, have you tried jump starting from a car?  Keep in mind, DO NOT start the car.

If you start your car, your bike will EXPLODE!

  lmfao. sweet.

Quote from: Egaeus on October 22, 2006, 07:51:16 AM
If you start your car, your bike will EXPLODE!

False.

Quote from: annguyen1981 on October 22, 2006, 09:24:28 AM

Quote from: Egaeus on October 22, 2006, 07:51:16 AM
If you start your car, your bike will EXPLODE!

False.

No, it's true!  I read it on the interwebernets!

 

I just jumped my GS this morning.  After four attemps to get it started, I hooked her up to my cage, but it still didn't start, so I started the cage's engine.

The GS started right away.  I think I need a new battery.  This has been happening more and more lately.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think it's all during cold mornings.

Fluid level in the battery?

It could be a sign of a weak battery.  The chemical reaction will be slower due to the temperature.  However, you should definitely check the water level.  If it's low, then there's less surface area for the reaction to take place.