Slow crankin Slim.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Astoria, OR
Can you load test the battery? Also, as mentioned, make sure you cables and connections are clean and tight. How old is the battery? Battery life is about 3-5 years typically. Heat is what kills batteries and you don't typically notice a problem until it's cold where it requires more amps to do the work required.
Good luck..
PS, you should also make sure it's charging between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
David
Good luck..
PS, you should also make sure it's charging between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
David
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: NW Suburbs Chicago
Well it finally happened. She left me stranded at work.
It was 27 degrees when I got out of the office and she wouldn't start. Had to push her into the warehouse and take a truck home.
35 degree's she starts.
27 degrees she won't.
Guess I'll have to start going out and start her once during the day.
It was 27 degrees when I got out of the office and she wouldn't start. Had to push her into the warehouse and take a truck home.
35 degree's she starts.
27 degrees she won't.
Guess I'll have to start going out and start her once during the day.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 25
Can you load test the battery? Also, as mentioned, make sure you cables and connections are clean and tight. How old is the battery? Battery life is about 3-5 years typically. Heat is what kills batteries and you don't typically notice a problem until it's cold where it requires more amps to do the work required.
Good luck..
PS, you should also make sure it's charging between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
David
Good luck..
PS, you should also make sure it's charging between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
David
I'm actually taking it to the dealer to let them test it. It's still under warranty. The bike and battery are 7 months old. If the battery checks out I'll test the charging.
I thought about the oil change today. Since we stopped using 50 and 60 weight oils and quit kicking these things to life I've kinda forgot about changing oil for cold temps.
Ever tried to kick start a Sporty with 50 weight oil in January? It's like trying to stir taffy.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Nov 15, 2014 at 09:31 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Dourges, France
After you looked after every battery drain issue,
I really think your battery has a kind of defect.
You could install a smart charger that you plug to your bike when you park it home (you just have to install a discrete waterproof plug on your bike that fits to the charger )
I leave in the north of france and winter as cold you think : our little batteries doesn't like cold temp at all... this smart charger gives just the amps the battery need to keep it in perfect condition.
It has a special function too that can give a second life to a nearly dead battery with a special charging program...
the following picture is just for example : what ever the brand is, they are usualy the same...
I really think your battery has a kind of defect.
You could install a smart charger that you plug to your bike when you park it home (you just have to install a discrete waterproof plug on your bike that fits to the charger )
I leave in the north of france and winter as cold you think : our little batteries doesn't like cold temp at all... this smart charger gives just the amps the battery need to keep it in perfect condition.
It has a special function too that can give a second life to a nearly dead battery with a special charging program...
the following picture is just for example : what ever the brand is, they are usualy the same...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 769
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
My Slim is the same reminds me of my old Shovelhead I had.
And I really think it's a oil weight issue when it gets cold, I always keep the Slim on a Harley trickle charger in the garage, I have gone out in 20 deg weather to the garage for a short ride and it will fire up.
I ran 60 weight in the Shovelhead and I had to keep it in the house in the winter if I wanted to ride it, and not to leave it set for over a half hour outside if I wanted to ride the Shovel back home.
And I really think it's a oil weight issue when it gets cold, I always keep the Slim on a Harley trickle charger in the garage, I have gone out in 20 deg weather to the garage for a short ride and it will fire up.
I ran 60 weight in the Shovelhead and I had to keep it in the house in the winter if I wanted to ride it, and not to leave it set for over a half hour outside if I wanted to ride the Shovel back home.
Last edited by oldwarrior; Nov 16, 2014 at 06:29 AM.
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Dourges, France
just put your both voltmeter tips on each side of your battery : if it shows 14v or more, everything is fine"...)
Your issue makes me remember me my first twin powered bike : an Aprilia RST 1000 FUTURA (rotax engine)... The first start of the day was always hard if the battery wasn't perfectly charged : it seems that the high compression engine and cold oil make start very hard...
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