Yesterday I posted the below message. Since then, I bought a voltmeter and tested the (week old) battery cold - 11.04. Then I got a jump on the bike and tested the battery running - 14.2. Then I let the engine rev above 5k for about 10 minutes and turned her off. Reading of 13.5. So it seemed that the charging system worked(?). Then about an hour later I tested the bike. Meter = 11. Tried a few times to get the bike to turn over and battery went down to 8.5. This morning I tested the battery and it was at 9, and steadily went down by 10ths (0.0x) each second that the lights were on. It seems to me a battery problem and not a charger problem; but could it be a short or something else? I'd prefer of not pay for an expensive diagnostic, and I'm supposed to take the bike in tonight. Thanks very much.



I recently purchased a 2000 w/ 5k miles on it. When I bought the bike, the previous owner said he'd had no starting problems unless he'd accidentally left the lights on. Nevertheless, he replaced the battery (with a new one). I had no problems for a week, then one day, after having already ridden for an hour or so, I couldn't get the bike to run. I got the clicking of the starter (that's what the clicking is, right?), but the engine wouldn't turn over. So I pushed it down a hill in 2nd and got it running, took it for a drive for an hour, hoping that'd recharge (or whatever it is) the battery (or alternator if one is in there, I don't know). But this morning, two days after the problem, I got NO reaction from the starter at first, then it clicked and the engine made a meek attempt at starting, then just the clicking. Again the lights ran fine. If it matters, it was about 35 degrees outside, but had been in the past when I'd got it running.

I had a simalar problem and after running all the electrcal tests in Clymer that seemed to vary depending on the day I did them :dunno: I gave up and paid a dealer to look. He only charged me a half an hours labor to diagnose it ($35). Turned out to be a bad starter. Of course the dealer had a new one in stock for $300  but I chose to buy a used one from a member here and only paid 30 something with shipping.

Bad battery... That's my first guess... your bike is putting out charge... the battery isn't taking in any and definetely not holding on to it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Yea, I replaced my battery fist.

His bike is killing the battery with just lights on... and the battery itself isn't taking charge form the bike, making a good case for a bad battery...
Cool.
Srinath.