Flat battery or dodgy sparks?

faceman · 21-01-2009 11:39am #1

I took the bike out for the first time since xmas and duh @ me, i forgot to turn it over last week so its not starting.

Whats your opinion on the issue, i would have thought its a flat battery but im not sure. Anyway here are symptoms.

Turn key and lights come on as normal. When i hit starter button, it barely turns over and then resorts to make clicking noises from the engine. The lights fade as i hit starter button. When i stop turning it over and turn on my full lights they work fine.

Am i going mad and it is just the battery is flat or have aliens invaded my motorcycle? Its a Deauville. incidentally, its a ridiculously difficult, if not impossible, bike to push start!

CJhaughey · 21-01-2009 1:02pm

Battery is flat, clicking noise is because the solenoid hasn't got enough power to make the connection.
Lights don't use anywhere as much power as a starter, thats why they work.
Starters use lots of current.
My advice buy a smart charger like an optimate and fit the plug top your battery, and when not in use leave it plugged in.
That way your battery will always be fully charged and ready to go.
I have an Optimate on my bike for years now and the battery is perfect.

faceman · 21-01-2009 2:12pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

Battery is flat, clicking noise is because the solenoid hasn't got enough power to make the connection.
Lights don't use anywhere as much power as a starter, thats why they work.
Starters use lots of current.
My advice buy a smart charger like an optimate and fit the plug top your battery, and when not in use leave it plugged in.
That way your battery will always be fully charged and ready to go.
I have an Optimate on my bike for years now and the battery is perfect.

Thanks Charlie, that was my next question, which charger to get!

Oryx · 21-01-2009 2:23pm

Optimate are now doing a new version, Optimate 4. Even better than opt3. They are the bees knees alright.

faceman · 21-01-2009 2:35pm

Oryx wrote: »

Optimate are now doing a new version, Optimate 4. Even better than opt3. They are the bees knees alright.

How much would I expect to pay for one?

Oryx · 21-01-2009 2:40pm

€50 to €60 online. Used to be more, about €70, but with sterling doing badly they've got cheaper.

CJhaughey · 21-01-2009 2:41pm

Around £40 stg or the same in Euro:D

faceman · 21-01-2009 2:43pm

Ok cool, thanks

Flat battery or dodgy sparks?

Comments