Hello all. Took my FXR 82 out for a ride the other day after a month of sitting, and of course battery was dead. I charged it just enough to get bike started (I was short on time), and when I turned the headlights on, the engine began to run poorly. This was after about 20 min of riding. Is this a sign that the alternator is dying, or are these alternators not capable of current needed to recharge a dead battery, run engine and lights?

When I had the battery charger on it, the battery was pulling 3 amps right before it started the bike. With engine running, the amperage dropped to around 1 when I rev'd the motor a bit....I assume this suggests that the alternator is producing some juice.

Thanks alot.

 

Once the battery has been dead...it is ****...ain't gonna work...

Edit; BTW
12.0v is dead, 12.3-4 is about 50% and 12.6-7 is full charge...Nice wide range there huh?

 

Not sure but if you keep that up, you are sure to kill that the alternator working it to death or the other systems running them on low voltage.

 

Put the battery on a decent charger over night then try it. If you have a meter put on the battery and check the voltage after it's been charged should be 12.65v or a bit more, start the bike connect the meter again and rev it voltage should climb to 13 or above if it doesn't change you have charging issues.

 

All Good...but, a "flash charge" means nothing...charge the battery then check voltage tomorrow!!!
Tho The checking of Running voltage is correct...Once a Battery has been dead...It will certainly let you down...All there is to it...or struggle awhile then change the Damn battery but don't tell no one. In case ya get an "I tole So"