Battery / charging questions, help!
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: KC MO
Battery / charging questions, help!
I have an 03 lowrider, 3 times in the last 2 months the battery has not had enough juice to start it. headlight is on, it sounds like its going to fire up, then click click click.... I have pulled the battery out and taken it up to the local autozone and they quickly checked it and said its a weak battery, but good. Cars I know, bikes? I am a n00b, any ideas where to start would be appreciated. O ya, the battery is about 2 years old and the connection is tight. Thanks for any help.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
Check the ground on the bike itself. Mine is on the transmission.
If that ain't it, then check the connections from the battery to/on the starter.
You're getting enough juice to run little things like lights but when you put a heavy draw on it, there's no 'there' there. I'm betting a connection somewhere.
If that ain't it, then check the connections from the battery to/on the starter.
You're getting enough juice to run little things like lights but when you put a heavy draw on it, there's no 'there' there. I'm betting a connection somewhere.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 14
From: Millsboro Delaware
+1 on checking the connections especially the ground. Question for you, do you use a battery tender? If not the battery might be on its last legs. I have found that a battery was usually good for two seasons or so and needed to be replaced. Once I started to use a battery tender I got double the life out of the battery. Today's bikes have some much more electronics and use more power when the bike is not running than on older bikes. Also you could try this as well to help diagnose the problem. Pull the ground lead off of the battery. Reconnect it but watch for a spark, a large spark would indicate a short in the wiring somewhere. If it is a short it will drain the battery causing your issues....Good luck and let us know what you find....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
You probably need a new battery, especially if you haven't used a battery tender. Bike batteries don't last like car batteries do. But I'd have it tested before I spent a lot of time troubleshooting connections.
edit: most neighborhood auto parts stores (Autozone, etc) can do a quick battery test for you.
edit: most neighborhood auto parts stores (Autozone, etc) can do a quick battery test for you.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 4
From: Santa Ynez, Ca
Get a battery tender on it. My '04 ZX12R still has the original battery and has been on a tender 24/7 since I bought it. The battery in my Corvette is 9 years old and still works fine. I keep a tender on all my lawn equiptment batteries, tractor, cars and bikes. I've saved myself much $ for dead batteries and for the inconvenience. You may even be able to rescue your battery if you keep it on a tender full time. Good luck!
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,621
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Completely charge the battery, let it rest for one hour. Test the voltage, should be at least 12.8 volts. Start the bike, after a good warm up test the voltage while the bike is running. Should be 13.1-13.2v at idle and about 14.1-14.2v around 2400 rpm. This for a carb bike. An EFI bike will be 14.2v at most engine speeds. If that's not the case then do some tests on the stator, if that checks out then it's more than likely your voltage rectifier/regulator. Harley's electrics run off the battery not the alternator, the alternator charges the battery. +1 on the smart tender, use it 24/7.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,106
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From: Saginaw, MI
Yup, works great and makes a quick ride in thew middle of winter possible to.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 41
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From: Portsmouth, UK
As I have just found out make sure the battery charger is delivering fully, I had my battery on charge overnight but the bike wouldn't start, a volt meter said the battery had 12.7 V so it looked ok put the battery on charge again with a different charger and the battery showed 14V on the meter and the bike started fine. To me the battery has to be in good condition and fully charged to kick a Harley in to life.
Paul
Paul
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 686
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From: KC MO
The battery is about 2 years old, I have had it to Auto Zone twice and they keep telling me its good but weak. The bike has optional running lights on it so it probably sucks down the juice. I have had it on the charger for a full day, i'm going to run it up tonight and have them check it. If it checks out good I am going to put it back in, and check the wires off the battery to the bike. Good suggestion for sure, it can not hurt. Seems that a battery tender is a common practice around here, I will have to pick one up.