Triumphrat

Mancha

Hey All,

I could use some suggestions.

I've been having a hard time starting the bike. It hesitates and makes that clicking sound, and then catches. I was hoping that it was the cold, but it did it even after I stopped for gas after a long ride and the engine was warm.

I would then assume it was the battery, but I just replaced that a few months ago. On the other hand, I've ridden it only infrequently since.

So, slow starting and the clicking sound - battery or something else? If not the battery, what are other likely culprits? (Yes, I am mechanically challenged.)

Mancha

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Ogle my bike here.

Geoff

the connections onto the battery, for one. In this cold weather, batteries may need a charge if they sit for a while, also
G

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I never wanted to lead, and I never wanted to follow.
I just wanted to ride

Anchorbend

Check the connection as advised but since this is a new battery on an 05, I would also be thinking about a charging problem. Two batteries in less than 2 years doesn't sound right. If the bike is still under warranty I would get it in and have it checked. Also, do you use a battery tender? They are a good investment.

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You've never rode until you've been throwed.

ErwinM

Check the wires on the starter for corrosion or loose.
Careful not to overtighten them.

Erwin :hammer:

[ This message was edited by: ErwinM on 2007-02-08 12:11 ]

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Erwin

Jimi_X

My battery finally gave out this fall. It was factory from 2001. Disconnect one lead and measure the voltage across your battery terminals. If it is in new condition it will read approx. 12.8 to 12.9 Volts DC. If it is a little tired it will read approx. 12.45 to 12.65 Volts DC. If it has seen its last, it will read 11.75 to 12.30. This is assuming that your charging system is working and all connections are tight.
Remove the battery or attach a tender and charge overnight. Measure voltage after disconnection. It should read slightly over 13Volts DC but will be falling slowly. Let sit for 2 or 3 hours. Check voltage reading again. Let sit over night and check the next morning. If the battery is good it should be holding a charge over 12.60 Volts DC, hopefully about 12.75 if the battery is as new as you say.
If this is the case your battery is fine and you should search for a poor connection or a charging issue.
To check for charging, while the bike is running, meter across the terminals. It should be above the measured voltage when the bike was not running. It should be, if you have just started the bike, about 14 Volts DC. The regulator will be trying to replenish the energy you just used to start the bike.
The charging system will modulate depending on the demand on the battery.
If it's charging and the battery is good, then look for a loose connection.
Tony

Mancha

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

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Ogle my bike here.

Diego

Mancha, when you say it's been used "infrequently," how long does the bike sit between uses?

This may be the difference between a bad charging system and simple battery deterioration from lack of regular charging. If the bike sits more than a couple of weeks at a time, definitely invest in a tender. It's not good for them to be allowed to discharge on their own over long periods of time.

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John

RedBird

John,

I haven't seen one of your posts in a long while. Hope you have some decent riding Wx soon. We have gotten a day or two every two to three weeks, but this Winter is worse than the last few have been. Two or three weeks have not been a problem for my battery, but if I have to go over three weeks, I usually put a trickle charger on it for awhile. I still have the original battery in my '03.

Larry

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Larry
2003 T-100 (790cc), NARK, NH Togas, 8100 rpm rev limiter, 158 main jets, 42 pilot jets (less than 1 turn out on pilot screws), stock needles--no shims. 13 A/F ratio from 1100 rpm to 4000 rpm; 12 A/F ratio from 4000 rpm to 6000 rpm; 13 A/F from 6000 rpm to 8100 rpm.:D
2007 Tiger 1050--White:D--SW-Motech crashbars, Skidmarx rear hugger/chain guard, Calsci +7 windscreen.

Diego

> John,
I haven't seen one of your posts in a long while. Hope you have some decent riding Wx soon.

Thanks, Larry. That definitely makes two of us!

> ...if I have to go over three weeks, I usually put a trickle charger on it for awhile. I still have the original battery in my '03.

Original battery in my '02, also! Don't know how much longer it can go on, but it's outlasted all my other bikes' batteries by a long shot.

John

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John