Starting problem

[DaveS]

Hi would appreciate some advice please.

1150GS 2003 Twin Spark 17.5K on the clock.

Having some starting problems. Its very very lazy and sometimes won't start and eventually fires. I can have 2 or 3 sessions (a few secs each) at turning it over before it will start.
It runs perfectly well when started though. Even when warm it can take a few turns to get it to fire.
Its flattened the battery. The battery I have is a Hawker Oddessey. I've kept it on charge with the Optimate but know that the Optimate won't charge it well from totally dead so I've ordered a "proper" charger from Knights Battery's to sort that side out.
Anyway back to the starting.
I've checked the carb balance and had to tweak it slightly, but little difference. I've checked the top spark plugs, they look ok, more coming from Motorworks to replace them with to see if that helps.
I've checked the air filter and that was replaced 6K miles ago and looks fine.
Anything else that I can do myself and check before I have to throw it at the dealer?

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Sounds like a knackered battery to me. Check the voltage out when doing nothing (the bike, not you ) Then when cranking the engine over. Let us know the results, and someone will get back to you.

 

[DaveS]

Sounds like a knackered battery to me. Check the voltage out when doing nothing (the bike, not you ) Then when cranking the engine over. Let us know the results, and someone will get back to you.

The battery is only 6 months old, and I bought it because it was meant to be one of the best.
It was happily measuring over 14V after a couple of days being left, but eventually it gets dragged down with the constant starting.

 

[MickDB1]

I would remove and clean all connections to battery and starter, then put them back of course
Bad earth syndrome ??
MI CK

 

[DaveS]

I would remove and clean all connections to battery and starter, then put them back of course
Bad earth syndrome ??
MI CK

I've certainly checked the battery connections and they are in great condition. I'll check the starter connections though... that's an obvious one I hadn't thought of.

I don't think its a dodgy earth though as I'm not having any other electrical problems at all, and with an earth problem I would have expected that.

 

[Tarka]

Whip yer starter motor out and check the commutator and brushgear as well as all connections on the solenoid and give everything a clean up and lube.