Triumphrat

05-18-2006

I just bought a new 2006 Speedmaster. While riding it the first night the electrical power completely cut off. I pulled over and the electrics came back on again. This happened again about a mile later and the power came back on again.

I got about 1 mile from home and it did it again, but this time did not come back on again. I tried everything I could think of to get power back to the bike. After numerous attempts of turning ignition on and off, placing bike on and off of its sidestand, ensuring it was in neutral etc. I ended up having to get help pushing the bike home. It was completely dead. No power to the ignition, or any of the lights. No dash lights, completely kaput. I got the bike home and checked to see if I had a loose battery cable. The cables were fine. I tried to start the bike in my garage and there was now power again. I started the bike and while on its sidestand (with witnesses) it ran for about 30 seconds and I heard a click and all power went out again.

I had the dealer pick up the bike today and they checked it and took it for a twelve mile test drive. They called to say they could not find any problem.

I know I was not imagining my 20 minute push up the hill with no power (I had witnesses). Anyone have any suggestions. I don't want to pick up the bike only to have the same thing happen to me on the freeway. Any ideas would be appreciated.

13 · 05-19-2006

I'd check:

Kick stand safety switch adjustment;
Alternator connections;
Battery connections;
Intermittent fuses (especially main power fuse);
Kill switch...

Think there's a neutral safety switch you'd wanna look at too.

Let's hear what you find if that's okay!!!

highcard · 05-19-2006

I've got the same thing with my Tbird.

I stripped it down and checked wires and found a "gunked up" ground connection. Checked all fuses and they were ok. Jiggled wires, etc.

While tank was off and prior to putting battery back in, I hooked up my car battery to the pos and neg battery cables.
Turned the key, and voila...headlights, speedo, tach, etc all lit up. Since I didn't have the gas tank on yet, I did not try to turn her over.

Anyway, since it appeared that the issue was resolved, I put everything back together, including putting my freshly recharged battery back in.

Turned the key and NOTHING...no lights, tach, speedo.

Frustrated, I removed the battery cables and again hooked the cables up to my car battery.

Turned the key, and of course, lights came on, etc.

Since I had the tank on, I went ahead and tried to fire her up. Started with no problem.

Bad Battery?

05-19-2006

Thanks for your replies. I went over to the dealer this morning and they said they could not find anything wrong with the bike after a 12 mile test ride. I explained to them that I was not hallucinating and left it with them to try some more troubleshooting. The saga continues.

05-19-2006

Okay, I got my Speedie back from the dealer. When they first looked at it they said they had checked the battery and there were no loose wires. Well now apparently they found a loose wire hmmm. I rode it for about 20 miles after picking it up from the dealer and so far no problems. It did stall out one time at a light but that was probably just me.
Thanks again for all your suggestions. :-D

13 · 05-20-2006

Kewl Mr. mvlow, glad it's fixed. Thanks alot for update!

On a new bike, unless flood damaged, likely won't find corroded connections. I always use dielectric grease on all connections (Vaseline's cheaper and works too, but might look, um, funny in yur garage) when doing maintenance to keep corrosion at bay (suggest buying some now so you have it when you need it).

And as you probably know Mr. highcard, bike batteries generally last about 3 years + - ... I'd upgrade to a Yuasa gel cell if yur Tbird didn't have one stock! Also seen the higher amped car batteries (bikes 14A vs. cars 80A +) do weird things to bike electronics, but maybe just me... Wonder what'd happen if you got a new battery just the same?

Take it easy!

highcard · 05-20-2006

Yep, I went ahead and ordered the maintenance free gel battery.

My current battery is almost new, but it just won't hold a charge. When I disconnect the cables from the battery and hook them up to my car battery, the bike starts right up.
When I charge the battery, I can usually get it to start, just once, and the bulbs dim in relation the the revs of the motor.
Then after turning off, I get nothing, no lights or anything.

I think that I either got a bum battery, I messed up the terminal posts or overcharged the battery at one time.

We'll see, my new battery should be here this week.

13 · 05-20-2006

Most motorcycle batteries are warrantied for at least six months - wouldn't hurt to try that route before springing for new battery. You might end up with a new spare anyway!

Common reasons for new battery failure:

Improperly handled at initial charge;
Manufacturing defects, bad cell(s), dropped;
Too high charge (most mc bat's take about 1AH trickle);
Faulty wiring on bike (alarm, accessories, etc.);
Repeated excessive power drain;
Less commonly suspected faulty charger burning batteries...

More reasons on Yuasa FAQ.

You might want a new charger made for motorcycle batteries in case your old charger's faulty/ too high amp hour rate (AH). Faulty chargers can burn batteries during only one use. Any name brand motorcycle specific charger will do.

I've seen bike battery chargers burn out on car batteries, inversely, car battery chargers burn out bike batteries.

Hope this helps!

13 · 05-20-2006

Btw, make sure battery filled with electrolyte then charged fully before putting on bike...

If gel cell, make sure fully charged before putting on bike!

If you do end up with a spare from warranty replacement, keep it on trickle charger.

All this will preserve battery "memory"...

highcard · 05-21-2006

Thanks 13,

I could have committed any one of those battery errors. Especially since I initially charged it with my FIL's car battery charger. I also dropped the screw/nut connections and replaced with stainless steel from Ace...could have "hickied" up the terminal post/s.

I'll be more careful this time.