Uncle Mike's BIKE Dead on Chicago Expressway - Coil question

[hampshirehog]

My 1100E did the same thing on me. Removed the headlight and the connector to the ignition switch was just loose enough to cause the failure. Zip tied the two connector parts together - no more issues.

Good place to start looking - quite a few bikes fail completely because of a loose connection here.

[UncleMike]

Multimeter acquired, battery completely dead. So at this point, I'm guessing a charging system failure? I replaced my R/R with a Duanage Honda unit and it had been tested as good. The battery spun the engine strongly this morning when I left Joe's place, but it's completely dead. Not even reading on the multimeter.

[NeyborDayfid]

Wait,,,.....WHAT?
It's not reading any voltage at all? It would have to be completely shorted to do that. I'd try that meter on a few other things to confirm if it's working correctly. Even a dead as nails battery should read a couple volts.

[UncleMike]

Wait,,,.....WHAT?
It's not reading any voltage at all? It would have to be completely shorted to do that. I'd try that meter on a few other things to confirm if it's working correctly. Even a dead as nails battery should read a couple volts.

With the ignition off it's around 2.4V. As soon as I turn it on it drops to zero.

[NeyborDayfid]

Wow. That sounds like it's completely gone then. Sulfated plated couldn't cause that big of a drop so It does sound like two plates have shorted. I know that rapidly charging batteries can cause the plates to warp and short. Is there any way that happened? I'm sorry you're having trouble but I'm glad to see you're still moving things forward. You'll get it figured out.

[koolaid_kid]

Do this. Remove the battery and test it again. This does 2 things: first, if it is truly dead, you will have to take it out anyway. Second, if it shows much closer to battery voltage that means you have dead short in your harness.

[UncleMike]

Wow. That sounds like it's completely gone then. Sulfated plated couldn't cause that big of a drop so It does sound like two plates have shorted. I know that rapidly charging batteries can cause the plates to warp and short. Is there any way that happened? I'm sorry you're having trouble but I'm glad to see you're still moving things forward. You'll get it figured out.

It's a sealed, gel Motobatt battery. I tested the R/R late last year and it was charging nicely. I've got a spare battery from my buddy's bike, but I don't want to toast that as well. Can I hook it up and see what it's charging at without ruining it?

[UncleMike]

Do this. Remove the battery and test it again. This does 2 things: first, if it is truly dead, you will have to take it out anyway. Second, if it shows much closer to battery voltage that means you have dead short in your harness.

Okay. On it.

Thank you all, btw.

[NeyborDayfid]

If it started the bike recently and is now sitting that low then I think you have a short in the harness that let the battery completely drain. If it's a sealed battery then you have to charge it slower than a traditional lead-acid. I agree with Kool-Aid Kid to pull it out and test it, and start it charging again as soon as possible so sulfur doesn't harden on the plates.

[rustybronco]

Or, something was left/stuck on and drained the battery. hence the reason for asking you to jump it.

[UncleMike]

Or, something was left/stuck on and drained the battery. hence the reason for asking you to jump it.

No, it started the bike strongly this morning at 7:30am. I drove back to Chicago and parked the bike - 1 hour trip. I tried turning it back on literally 5 seconds later and it was completely dead.

Battery off and reading at 2.5v.

[NeyborDayfid]

It sounds like you were running the bike at constant loss.
It's a good think you didn't shut it off anywhere else.
I'd get that battery off the bike and charging and start looking at
the wiring harness to see if you can see any shorts before
you disturb too much. Something could be pinched under the tank
or under the seat.

[rustybronco]

It sounds like you were running the bike at constant loss.

Agreed....

But, I'd check the charging system first after it's re-fired.

[UncleMike]

It sounds like you were running the bike at constant loss.
It's a good think you didn't shut it off anywhere else.
I'd get that battery off the bike and charging and start looking at
the wiring harness to see if you can see any shorts before
you disturb too much. Something could be pinched under the tank
or under the seat.

Hmmm, ... didn't see anything pinched, although the bullet connector for the fuel gauge came off when we pulled the tank yesterday. Any chance those bare wires could be the culprit? I've taped it up already.

And more good news. My buddy here in Chicago has my old '83 750T which he was storing at his in-laws' joint in Wilmette. He borrowed my battery tender the other day to retrieve the bike and left the tender in Wilmette. Can I charge the battery by jumping it off his car?

[7981GS]

Just from the other battery, will "share" the charge.
Then, recharge the car battery and repeat.
I don't think that it would be a good idea with the vehicle running as it would be a very quick/fast/hi-amp. charging rate.
Have you tried to get a hold of Posplayr?

Eric