Need help quick! Big problems with battery

[Anonymous]

I have a 1979 GS1000E model that has gone through 2 batteries in under a month. Bike has only been riden once because of this. Both batteries are completly dead and will not take a charge. What could be going wrong? Electrical systems have never been left on with bike off.

I am scheduled to be in a BRC on thursday and have no idea what to do next.

[redliner1973]

Check the system for a short. I would start with Stator and regulator resistance checks found in The Stator Papers first, then go through and check the rest of the system, including any add-ons that might be on the bike (lights, radio, etc). Also look at ignition switch, making sure it is not sticking on in the ACC position. For a battery to refuse a charge after being discharged is a sure sign of a pretty good short, heating it up to oblivion. Let us know what you find.

[Anonymous]

Not sure where these are. This is my first bike and am not sure what I am looking for and what it should look like. Please let me know approx. where these should be and what they look like.

[redliner1973]

Read here first:

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_garage.htm

About 1/2 down the page, The Stator papers, 1 and 2. Read both!!

[KGB]

When you shut down the bike, is the key in the "Park" position?
Or do yo uturn it all the way to lock the forks?

What I'm getting at....is the tail light staying on?
This will drain a battery very quickly.
With the new battery, did you fill it, and let it sit on a trickle type charger overnight?

Just filling it and installing it is not good. It doesn't have a full charge.





Let me/us know how you do with the BRC
I've been an instructor 11 years

[Tarbash 27]

TRY GETTING A BATTERY TENDER AND HOOK IT UP WHEN YOUR NOT USING THE BIKE. NOT A CURE BUT IT HELPS.

[Anonymous]

KGB - my bike only has 2 positions that I can tell. all the way to the right for on and all the way to the left for off. when it is all the way to the left all the lights shut off.

Yes, the battery was filled and then charged over night. Both batteries are completly dead and will not take a charge.

[Anonymous]

Latest update. The charging system is fine. Brought the bike to the local bike shop and the problem is I bought a battery from Wal-Mart instead of bying it from the bike shop in the first place. I guess I got what I paid for when I bought a generic brand battery. The worst part of it is that I can't find the reciept to be able to bring back the pos battery.

Oh well. On a side note the reason that I can't back the bike up is that the rear caliper for the brake was stuck almost all the way closed. and the more that the bike tried to move the tighter it got. It took the mechanic less than an hour to take it apart and clean it. Good as new. Plus I spent a little extra and got new tires put on it. the old tires were starting to dry rot and I didn't feel comfortable riding the bike that way. I should be getting the bike back in about 2 hours and will have it for the BRC on thursday and friday. :P

[braindead0]

Latest update. The charging system is fine. Brought the bike to the local bike shop and the problem is I bought a battery from Wal-Mart instead of bying it from the bike shop in the first place. I guess I got what I paid for when I bought a generic brand battery. The worst part of it is that I can't find the reciept to be able to bring back the pos battery.

Sound to me like they're selling you a bill of goods.. Not that I doubt the battery from Wally World might be bad...

I've used 'cheap' motorcycle and marine batteries from a variety of sources, including WalMart.. and never had a problem like this.

Keep us posted... the curious wanna gnow.

[redliner1973]

I too, have never had a problem with the chinese batteries from WM.

[LW_Icarus]

Ive noticed "cheap" china batteries not lasting as long as better batteries, they sulfate faster, but I have always been able to get a season out of em anyway, although I usually go with yuasa, I dont think they found your problem.

[scotty]

Dont buy the cheap battery story.

I think you just installed the new batteries without charging them first.
let us know/ We also like to learn.

[braindead0]

Dont buy the cheap battery story.

I think you just installed the new batteries without charging them first.
let us know/ We also like to learn.

Could very well be the case, if I remember correctly, loading a lead acid battery that's already fully discharged will damage it permanently..

[Anonymous]

just finished up the course. all I need to do is go to the dmv and get the new license.