Battery Charging Probs (I think!)

[evenflow]

Put in a new battery and guess what ? If the bike dosnt start first two or three goes then theres not enough in the battery to turn the starter motor and it goes goes BRRRRRR. The starter motor itself turns slow. I took the bike for a 50 or 60 mile run on sunday so Ididnt expect the new battery to get discharged so easily. The alternator light goes out right away. Bin thinking of disconnecting the +ve batt terminal and checking the resistance to chasis to see if theres some drain on the battery. Is the starter motor and alternator easy to get at? I think perhaps I should check connections first?
Its not really a rpoblem when the bike is up and running, just from cold. I've got to make sure it starts 1st or 2nd time otherwise it has to be bumped.
Any ideas would be appreciated.?
Could it be the starter motor and can i disconnect it to measure its resistance and what shoudl a good one be?
The bike runs fine once started...pulls like a train.
Cheers all.

 

[pomm001]

Put in a new battery and guess what ? If the bike dosnt start first two or three goes then theres not enough in the battery to turn the starter motor and it goes goes BRRRRRR. The starter motor itself turns slow. I took the bike for a 50 or 60 mile run on sunday so Ididnt expect the new battery to get discharged so easily. The alternator light goes out right away. Bin thinking of disconnecting the +ve batt terminal and checking the resistance to chasis to see if theres some drain on the battery. Is the starter motor and alternator easy to get at? I think perhaps I should check connections first?
Its not really a rpoblem when the bike is up and running, just from cold. I've got to make sure it starts 1st or 2nd time otherwise it has to be bumped.
Any ideas would be appreciated.?
Could it be the starter motor and can i disconnect it to measure its resistance and what shoudl a good one be?
The bike runs fine once started...pulls like a train.
Cheers all.

If your battery is new and fully charged it should spin the engine over without any probs, what was wrong with your old battery ?
Before you take anything to bits, put a voltmeter across the battery and check the available voltage, should be at least 12.5 volts with a new fully charged battery.
Leave the voltmeter across the terminals and try and start the bike, note the voltage while cranking.
Once started check the voltage again, should be up at about 13.5 to 14 volts straight after start up, while running put main beam lights on an note the voltage again , should remain above 12.75 volts .
If all else fails then have your battery checked with a high discharge tester.
The valiues above are from memory and no doubt be corrected by the more informed folks on the board.

 

[Tarka]

When you say you`ve fitted a new battery,did you fully charge it before putting into use ?

A new battery from a dealer,may well be 'dry charged' or 'ready for use' but won`t be fully charged.

 

[evenflow]

Yes, I'm gonna put it on trickle tonight using my oximiser and see what its like tomorrow evening. The old battery was shot. would'nt quite charge up fully.
I'm not going to take anything to bits until I've done this and then taken it for a good long run. But the dealer i bought the battery off I think charged it up for me...but I'll check with him.
Cheers.