Drained the battery, now what?

[Jimmy Hoffa]

When trying to start my 82 GS850G, I accidentally flooded the carbs, and then tried to turn it over too much, and caused the battery to lose its charge. Now, after having left it for a couple of days, it turns sluggishly and won't catch. How can I safely get a charge back into it? Did I kill the battery? Should I get a Battery Tender?

Thanks, guys & gals.

[Dave8338]

Put it on the charger over night and retry... 8-[

[bonanzadave]

Put it on the charger over night and retry... 8-[

Wow !! You must be one of them motor cycle mek-a-niks. Just got the word, I gotta go to IA sat for a graduation. No bike show for me.

[Dave8338]

Wow !! You must be one of them motor cycle mek-a-niks. Just got the word, I gotta go to IA sat for a graduation. No bike show for me.

NO GOOD!!! Well...I'll see (if the weather holds) and if the Wife can part with me for a few hours maybe I can slip away.

YEAH me's a super wrench smartie dude... :-D

[Jimmy Hoffa]

OK, well I guess then I need some kind of a charger - is there one you can recommend?

[Dave8338]

Don't go the super cheap route and likewise...don't spend all of the money in your piggy bank, either. I have a Century #(?) something and a Schumacher tender.

[Jimmy Hoffa]

is there a safe way to jump start it in the meantime, before I get the charger? (which i will)

[doctorgonzo]

is there a safe way to jump start it in the meantime, before I get the charger? (which i will)

You can use a car battery...
WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING! DO NOT ATTEMPT WITH THE CAR STARTED!

[Jimmy Hoffa]

I'm guessing that the all-caps bit means dire consequences would occur! I will heed your advice!

[doctorgonzo]

I'm guessing that the all-caps bit means dire consequences would occur! I will heed your advice!

With the alternator on the car running, it's too much voltage, fry your electrics.

[Jimmy Hoffa]

Gotcha. Thanks!

[76FJ55]

What I do if I have to jump mine, provided the battery isn't totaly dead just low enough that it wont crank(basicaly if it will light the instrument panel this should work. I will use the car battery to drive the starter but not the bikes primary electrical system. I do this by removing the left side panel connecting the negative jumper cable end to engine or chasis ground then I touch the positive cable end to the starter solinoid terminal that goes directly to the starter. this will crank the engine while keeping the car battery isolated from the motorcycle electronics by the open starter solinoid. it is also easier to remove the left panel than to get to the battery under the airbox.

Note: you know control cranking with the contact between the cable end and solinoid terminal. as you will
undoubtedly be holding the cable with you left hand and throttle with the right MAKE SURE you are in NUETRAL as you clutch hand is occupied and there is no safely circuit to keep you from motoring away under electrical power.

[Jimmin]

My 81 GS 1100 would be hard to start after it sat a few weeks. I also would run the battery down trying to start it.

Then I bought a Delran battery tender plus trickle charger. Now the bike is always ready with a full charge. I also put the petcock on prime for a few minutes before I start it to get fuel running. Never had a problem with the battery since.

It great to use in the winter for GS and tractor battery. Just keep switching back and forth every week.