Help needed - bike not charging :(

Hi there

As per the post title, my bike stopped charging for some reason and we got stranded around Gomshall yesterday with a flat battery. £128 and a boost charge from the AA later, we just about managed to get back to Kingston. I've tested the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running and got about 11.8-12V so there is definitely no charging.. Put the bike on a trickle charger for the night which got me to work today where I put it on the charger again sincerely hoping it'll get me back home tonight. Unfortunately this is putting a big strain on the battery so I need to get it sorted asap.

Here comes the help request:
As I know close to nothing about bike electrics, I would really appreciate if someone was so kind to come to ours tonight or tomorrow to help me diagnose the fault and hopefully sort it out. I can ensure steady flow of tea/coffee/beer and biccies of preferred sort and will do all the dirty work. I just need someone who know what they're doing to guide me through it...

I'll be eternally indebted to anyone who can help!

Many thanks!
martin

[Spiderman]

All i know about electrics is they scare me. Sorry dude.

Originally Posted by Spiderman

All i know about electrics is they scare me. Sorry dude.

Ditto.

But I think you knew that already. Hope you manage to sort it soon.

Originally Posted by martianskippy

£128 and a boost charge from the AA later, we just about managed to get back to Kingston.

How much?!

You should have just parked the bike and got a taxi!

I cant believe the AA charge that much, were they in black and white striped jumpers, wearing masks and carrying a sack with "swag" written on it?!

[TSM]

from what ive been informed, if your battery is very low when you do a charging system test then it will read low as the battery is storing up the engergy.

Charge battery up, then do the test again.

Also check what the book values are for test at what revs.

+1. The engine needs to be revved a certain amount before you get the required charging voltage. Pootle around everywhere and it'll slowly drain. Try twisting your wrist a bit more!

Originally Posted by monkey

+1. The engine needs to be revved a certain amount before you get the required charging voltage. Pootle around everywhere and it'll slowly drain. Try twisting your wrist a bit more!

Thats tru, but even so at tick over it should be greater than 12 V

Originally Posted by speedplay

How much?!

You should have just parked the bike and got a taxi!

I cant believe the AA charge that much, were they in black and white striped jumpers, wearing masks and carrying a sack with "swag" written on it?!

£128 was roadside assistance + annual subscription. I think it comes out as 50/50 split between the 2 so if I was to cancel the annual subscription I would still need to pay around £60 And only after the guy arrived I was told that I'm only eligible for roadside assistance with towing limited to the nearest garage... Thieves!

Hello everyone

Thanks for your thoughts.

Matt is right - with the engine running there should be at least some minuscule change in the voltage even at tickover. Obviously I've checked it at 5K revs and the result was still the same - zilch

Having done some further continuity testing with Ian guiding me over the phone, everything is pointing to a dead alternator

You sorted Martini? If you need anything collecting from over this way get in touch.