Battery

[mvalenti]

Can a weak/old battery cause performance loss? Weak spark etc during normal riding?

[Steve]

Uhhh, yeah.

But that "weakened battery" might also indicate a poor charging system.

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[mvalenti]

Uhhh, yeah.

But that "weakened battery" might also indicate a poor charging system.

.

Said battery was marked 2007, from previous owner.. Doesnt hold a charge well

[bbjumper]

That age doesn't mean anything. if it were on a trickle charger and properly maintained all it's life it could still be fresh as a daisy. on the other hand these small lead acid batteries don't tolerated being deep cycled very well, a brand new battery can be ruined if fully discharged even just one time.

Cheers

[BassCliff]

Hi,

A six year old motorcycle battery would be suspect, especially if it's a wet type lead/acid battery. An AGM battery might last that long. I replaced my AGM battery after 4.5 years just because. I probably could have waited a little longer. It had given me no issues at all.

As Mr. Steve suggested, test your charging system according to The Stator Papers and the updated procedures from Mr. posplayr. You'll find links in the electrical section of my little website.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[1_v8_merc]

Weak batteries can cause all sorts of weird symptoms....you never know if the cells could be damaged or the previous owner didn't use distilled water, never charged it properly from the start.

How many volts are you reading at the battery with bike running at Idle?
What about after Throttle increase?

[mvalenti]

I had taken some readings at the battery last season as soon as I started seeing some issues. Poor cranking after a couple days rest, no parasitic power loss. The wiring has been completely overhauled, did the relay reccomendations and all joints are soldered and shrunk. If I recall, after a days riding, voltage at the battery was 12.5-13, slightly higher when reving. I havnt checked per the stator papers, but I intend to at some point just to get a warm fuzzy on the charging system. I did however replace the battery anyway. Went a little smaller. Thanks for the input all.

[tom203]

".....If I recall, after a days riding, voltage at the battery was 12.5-13, slightly higher when reving. I havnt checked per the stator papers, but I intend to at some point"

This just might be that "point" ! what have you been doing ? After a ride, a happy battery would show 13 to 14 volt at shutdown and then taper to 12.5 or so after a while. The stator papers are calling.

[oldgrumpy]

,,, i,d say yes,,,,, for years all i purchased were cheap acid ... filled batteries they would leak all over the place and loose their charge eventually,,, i used to also drop a battery charger on them to help,,,, but now all i will put on either bike are BOND sealed batteries,, and they are the lagest rating for a suzuki gs1000e,,,,, and pyhically the same size,,, now i check them once a week,,, they really never need a charger,, and about 10 dollars more than a crappy battery ,,, i,ve never looked back,,, ,, yeh,,, i,ve also got a bond fully sealed calceum battery in my falcon which works a treat and not dear to buy ,,, worth the buy,,, regards oldgrumpy

[mrbill5491]

6 years on a lead acid battery is pushing it. Even will maintained I've only gotten maybe 3 years off one.

[mvalenti]

rely turn the bike over after a few days of rest. It wouldnt hold a charge either when on a charger and pulled off for the same length of time. Thats where I thought more like a declining battery and less likely the charging system. However if the system is over charging, I guess that might wreck a battery too... uggg...