Flat Battery?
 

I recently bought a 2000 SV650s, after a couple of days of not using it (stored outside) I went out this morning to get ready for work.

Key in, lights on, choke on and electric start, the bike made the noise but refused to catch on to actually start.

It then made a rather loud backfiring noise and the battery then seemed to lose its power.

Any suggestions on what this could be? Its under warranty so will be going into the dealer as soon as they send a van but I wonder if anyone can offer assistance in the meantime?

Thanks a lot

Re: Flat Battery???
 

Morning Rob, I like most won't know what "the noise" is and apart from the mention of a couple of days of non use, nor of any other history or previous condition, so guess work is what you're asking for ?

I'm guessing it's probably got an aftermarket can on (by the backfire comment), but what seemed to lose power means is vague at best.

perhaps a bit more detail or following the guidelines for help would be advantageous here, as from the brief description you've given it could be a whole host of things.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Flat Battery???
 

Thanks for the reply, it has a blue flame aftermarket exhaust.

I bought the bike from a dealer last weekend and it had a full service before I bought it including a full battery charge at the garage as it had been sat there for a couple of months.

I havent had any issues with it since buying it last week with starting however this is the first time i have left it for more than 48 hours.

The electrics came on without any problem, lights, oil light etc and it made the whirring noise that it would normally make to start up but it wouldnt catch on to start.

I tried a couple more times but as I did so the life in the battery decreased and I therefore stopped trying rather than completely flattening it.

I would suspect it is a flat battery althugh I wouldnt have thought it could decrease so much in the space of 3-4 days and also im confused because there was a decent amount of life in the battery before I drained it.

Any help is appreciated, I am keen to buy a charger but have absolutely no idea regarding even the simplest things such as plugging it in.

Re: Flat Battery???
 

Generally speaking I'd say you were right IF the charging system is working correctly, and IF the battery is holding a normal charge, and if the plugs/coils ht leads are in good order.....I'd expect it to fire up fine after a month or two left standing (do you have an alarm fitted?), do you have a multi-meter ?

there are a number of threads on the charging system and what the readings should be and how to check, likewise the condition of the battery (do a search)you could get these readings and post them up here if you like and we'll tell you where the ptroblem is, but if you are taking it back to the dealers then leave it to him ( although a word of caution, he may just fit a new battery and that may just mask the real problem, so keep an eye on it).

Cheers Mark

Re: Flat Battery???
 

Dont have a multimeter and I dont have an alarm fitted either.

The bike is stored outside and whilst it has been cold in the last few days I wouldnt expect a battery to be problematic.

Dealer should hopefully pick it up from me tomorrow as its going in on Thursday to have the MOT extended.

Its a good job I got a 12 month warranty when buying.

Thanks for your reply Mark.

Re: Flat Battery???
 

a normal battery wouldn't have a problem with only a few days (as previously said), but it can be far from good and still work on a daily basis, only showing a problem when not used, however it could also show a reluctance on the part of the starting circuit which this has highlighted as well.

It would be worth charging the battery and leaving it a day or two and testing what voltage it still has, but as you've no meter and collection is tomorrow that isn't possible.

Let us know what the dealer does and what he thinks it to be with an update, as it may help others when searching for the same type of problem.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Flat Battery?
 

replying to follow up on this, got home from work this afternoon and it was about 9 degrees, thought i would give the bike a go just to make sure i wasnt wasting my time and it went first time (without choke)

very strange considering i couldnt get anything out of it this morning

Re: Flat Battery?
 

Cold. It was *bloody* cold this morning and batteries do not like cold. My VFR unless it caught within two spins would refuse to try again when it was -5.

Druid

Re: Flat Battery?
 

It was 2degrees this morning here and it wouldnt start, I wish I could get away with that excuse to avoid going to work

Re: Flat Battery?
 

Lol, seriously frozen over here, I expected it to be colder in Merseyside!

Druid

Re: Flat Battery?
 

tbh m8, you need a cheap multi metre from maplins (about 8 quid) and check what you charge rates are. either your battery is dead or or reg/rec is dead or alternator but that's less likely. My money would be on the reg/rec being duff and your battery not getting full charge but until you get a multimeter and test it all you wont know. If you are about later in the week (depending where on m'side you are) you can pop round and check it all or i can if you like (and local ish).

Re: Flat Battery?
 

There is your problem mate, dont start it with the lights on, they will drain power from where it should be (making big fat juicy sparks in your spark plugs and spinning the motor nice and fast)
Cheers
AL

Re: Flat Battery?
 

sorry matey i meant the lights on the dash not headlights.

*****

anyway update on this morning, same problem again except this time i bumped my weight down on the seat whilst it was trying to start and it fired up

is that just coincidence that it started after doing that?

Re: Flat Battery?
 

Ah in that case I dont have a clue electrickery is voodoo!
Cheers
AL

Re: Flat Battery?
 

Tell you what maybe worth a look at, the starter solenoid, the thing the main fuse fits in.
On mine I had erratic starting problems something similar to what you describe and found when I took it of the copper strip from the positive lead (red) underneath to the bottom of the fuse had rotted to about a hair width thus I am assuming was unable to carry the current load correctly, bouncing on the seat may have made any water jump the current temporary. check for signs around the fuse holder of any melting or signs things have been getting hot down there. 'bout £40 for a new one.
BTW I reckon this saw off the reg too eventually before I found this.