Battery dead, what's it going to cost me?

Bounce said:
I believe the CTEK smart charger operates the same.....:D
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It does.

When I first got my 1100 it had a knackered wet battery. I replaced it with an OEM Varta and used a CTEK charger permanently when it was parked up in the garage. Six years later the battery was (subjectively) as good as the day I got it.

I've just chopped my 1100 in for a TC and will be doing the same with the CTEK charger.
 
Greg Masters said:
That's about the only point in your post that I don't agree with.

Internal combustion engines are designed to run at a temperature (plus or minus a bit). Different engine parts warm up at different rates and depending on the material used may also have different expansion rates. It's all designed to fit well at normal operating temperature - which almost certainly means not so well at any other temperature.
So you want to get the engine warmed as quickly as possible whilst, at the same time, keeping the stresses to a minimum. That usually means getting the engince to do some light work (ie riding/driving slowly) and not revving the bollocks off it until it's thoroughly warmed up.
Another issue is oil viscosity. It's less of an issue with road oils, but I have personally witnessed an oil pump drive being sheared off by revving the bollocks off a stone cold engine. It's not a clever thing to do.
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Perhaps I'm being obtuse here, but I read that you were both saying the same thing. Bendy Toy is saying not to sit at tickover because it's too low a RPM, & you're quite properly saying not to work an engine that's not yet at operating temperature, too hard. Both points sound advice, unless I've missed something. :nenau
 
I try never to start an engine & run more than 2000 rpm,if it's injected you don't need the high tickover it sorts itself out Iv had injected bikes with & never touched the choke they've always sat about 1400rpm,I'm only joking with people about starting bikes for 5 mins a week just testing :P funny how wound up some get about these things lol.

I have walked away from bikes when owner came out reved the tits off it from cold same as cars & vans.
 
bikemad said:
I'm only joking with people about starting bikes for 5 mins a week just testing :P funny how wound up some get about these things lol.
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Not at all wound up. But SO many bikers start their bikes and run them on tickover as they warm up. It's pointless noise, bad for the engine and a waste of fuel for zero benefit.

bikemad said:
I have walked away from bikes when owner came out reved the tits off it from cold same as cars & vans.
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Dead right too. Another one is the muppets who jump start car A with Car B revving like F. Then when Car A does start they rev that till the valves bounce.

Internal clearances on all engines are different hot & cold leading to excess wear until it's all up to running temperature.

F1 engines are too tight to turn when cold so have to be preheated to running temperature before they can be started. Initially the pistons will be a loose fit but quickly expand to fit.

Big ship diesels and steam turbines have jacking oil pumps allowing them to turn slowly (and start) without bearing damage.

Large engines especially steam turbines have to be warmed at the right rate otherwise moving parts expand too fast and cause serious damage.

The engine block takes longer to heat up than the pistons so cylinder clearances close up for a while. Thrash the poor thing before its properly warmed through and risk scored pistons. 2 stroke bike engines were especially prone to that.
 
Greg Masters said:
Another issue is oil viscosity. It's less of an issue with road oils, but I have personally witnessed an oil pump drive being sheared off by revving the bollocks off a stone cold engine. It's not a clever thing to do.
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I've seen it several times with industrial machinery and cold oil. Always warm through sensibly before working up to full load.

And for the benefit of newbies to the GS, never start your bike and leave it idling whilst you pop back indoors for a piss/brew/phone call etc. A melted oil sightglass is not a pretty sight.

Regarding CTEK, I bought a MultiXS 3600 from them as it was recommended for my Odyssey AGM cell due to its amp rate, unlike the Optimate/Automate battery tenders. Newer model Optimates are probably fine but be careful if you have an AGM battery that your battery tending device is compatible with its charging rates.
 
Bendy toy said:
Not at all wound up. But SO many bikers start their bikes and run them on tick-over as they warm up. It's pointless noise, bad for the engine and a waste of fuel for zero benefit.
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I have to warm my Aprilia up for a couple of mins as the fucking thing is almost unrideable when it's cold. It's like riding a bucking bronco for the first couple of miles but then she smooths out nicely when the temps come up. A temperamental Italian..........who'd have thought:D
 
Its a sign of wrong mixture (probably too weak). My GS is coughing lately from stone cold but I'm suspicious one of the throttle body rubber clamps isn't tight enough. (yet) Another job for the list.
 
Got my bike back from Bahnstormers who kindly put it back in my garage while I was out, lovely and clean too.

Turns out battery was just flat not dead, haven't had a chance to check it out yet but Bahnstormers charged it, left it over the weekend and it started fine after two days.

Not quite sure why it went flat as the charger has also been checked and is working ok.

Anyway, Bahnstormers collected my bike from home, drilled a sheared bolt from the final drive so the could refit the crud catcher, fixed the windscreen adjuster I broke outside Pukmeisters house, charged the battery, checked electrical system and fault codes, cleaned my bike, delivered it back and placed it in the garage, all for £80.

Yes, I am sure there are a lot of people on here who could have done all this for the cost of the parts but I for one am happy with the service and the bill. Drilling the sheared bolt would have foxed me and could have gone horribly wrong.

Thanks to Jody and Neil.
 
Well that's a bargain Danny!!!!

I'm assuming that's Bahnstormers @ Alton? If so, I've used them for new parts for my recent 'refurb' and their customer service, comms & general attitude is excellent.....:D
 
AberdeenAngus said:
.......you still got your bike recovered for a flat battery.
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Yes but, it was cold and wet, I needed to get the other things sorted, as mentioned before, I am a technical numpty, I didn't know it was just flat and I don't have a battery charger and I would probably set fire to something if I did, Bahnstormers could have just said it needed a new battery and I would have been happy.

Still confused as to why it went flat though. Bahnstormers agreed with me today that I should be able to leave it plugged into the battery conditioner for months without adverse effects.
 
AberdeenAngus said:
.......you still got your bike recovered for a flat battery.
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If the dealers make money out of providing services, whatever they are, there will be more staying in business for when people need them.

By the way, I applaud this gentleman for taking all the comments levelled at him in good part.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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