Triumphrat

metasac · 07-20-2008, 05:35 PM

hi folks.

my problem had gotten progressively worse until today when it would not start at all.

at first i thought that i had left the key in the "accessory" position with the headlight on... it sounded like a weak battery when i'd try to start her recently - but today all i saw was the tachometer needle jumping to about 2k and all i heard were fast, repetitive clicks... and nothing else.

had to push-start.

once running, she ran strong as usual all the 60 miles down to brooklyn where i shut her off.

just for kicks, i tried starting her up again - nothing but clicks. if it were battery-related, i'd think that 60 miles would charge it up enough to turn over at least a little, right?

i considered removing the battery and hooking it up to the charger overnight, but this sounds like a more serious problem.

it's still like 95 degrees outside. prolly remove the battery and charge it just to make sure when it cools down.

ideas? thoughts? similar experiences? looking forward to hearing your responses. i'm afraid to think how much this is gonna cost me.

cheers,
~m

Ventura · 07-20-2008, 05:43 PM

My money would be on the battery needing renewing.

This thread may help:

http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-tech...-symptoms.html

V.

Tenebras · 07-20-2008, 05:45 PM

I left the key in my old Magna and ran the battery right down. The advice that I got then was to run it for a full tank of gas or two before you really had a charge. Certainly the most fun repair job...

Also, you should check the fluid levels in the battery. Running it down to empty can get you into trouble. If the fluid levels are off you can add distilled water into the filling caps back up to the right level.

Also, you might want to consider a battery tender. Some people maintain that recharging your battery puts "undo strain" on your alternator. Others say that's an old wives tale. For what it's worth, I recharged my battery the "fun way" on a twenty three year old bike with a twenty three year old electrical system and was just fine.

propforward · 07-20-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventura

My money would be on the battery needing renewing.

This thread may help:

http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-tech...-symptoms.html

V.

+1. I reckon a dead battery.

When they die they won't take any charge at all, no matter how long you ride or how long you leave them on the charger. I have had several bike batteries die, and the bikes all behaved exactly the way you describe - all different bikes too.

metasac · 07-20-2008, 06:38 PM

that sux. i just bought that mofo for $100+

a yuasa too - with the extra cca

Tenebras · 07-20-2008, 06:55 PM

How long ago did you buy it? A new battery shouldn't be giving you trouble like that. Was it fully charged when you installed it?

propforward · 07-20-2008, 07:01 PM

Actually - make sure you check connections too. Thinking about it I remember chasing a problem just like this, and it was the battery ground connection to the frame that was the culprit. So check battery connections as well.

metasac · 07-20-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenebras

How long ago did you buy it? A new battery shouldn't be giving you trouble like that. Was it fully charged when you installed it?

it was bought new at the beginning of the season. the reason i think i'm having this problem isn't due to any fault in the battery - it's because i think i removed the key while the ignition was in the "accessory" position, leaving the headlights on to drain the battery.

Tbirdnz · 07-20-2008, 07:12 PM

It looks like the battery is not taking a charge but I would charge it up one more time and if it took the charge it should measure 12v or just over. With the engine running a meter should read around 14.2 proving the alternator is charging the battery.

---------------
Ride on !

propforward · 07-20-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metasac

it was bought new at the beginning of the season. the reason i think i'm having this problem isn't due to any fault in the battery - it's because i think i removed the key while the ignition was in the "accessory" position, leaving the headlights on to drain the battery.

A deep discharge like this *can* kill a battery - even a brand new one. Not always, and it depends how long it was left, general conditions and so on, but that might well be what caused your problem.