Can a battery be intermitantly dodgy?

[Old Git]

Originally Posted by embee

That was the original battery off my Deauville, 2002.

In which case it was/is doing very well.
P.S. Top Bike !

[Old Git]

Originally Posted by Bris-Rob

old git is it doing what mine was/is doing? I have replaced the reg rec on mine but havent been on a long run yet so not 100% sure its fixed.

Reg/rec was fubared though.

Yep, seems to be I am a logical animal, can't fathom why it works for weeks then nothing, bump it then it is fine for weeks again!
Looks like another weekend of fiddeling
On second thoughts, just checked my notes, tested the output couple of weeks ago was 13.5V with every light on full @ 3K RPM, so that seems to indicate reg/rec is OK

Originally Posted by Old Git

Yep, seems to be I am a logical animal, can't fathom why it works for weeks then nothing, bump it then it is fine for weeks again!
Looks like another weekend of fiddeling

Same as mine mate, hoping mines sorted now though.

It is quite possible that you have a duff cell which can be ok one minute or even weeks then nothing.Most gel batteries only last 2 years anyway.

could indicate a faulty starter sprag clutch.....that manifests itself as nothing at the button, then will catch..sometimes works first go..othertimes nothing..

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Old Git

OK, but if it ain't holding charge as you say, why will it start perfect for weeks, then nothing this morning? I know I am no tech, but that just ain;t logical Mr, Spoke ( or is it?)

Variations in temperature, and a steadily declining condition of the battery. And it could be losing charge every day until it eventually aint got enough left to start it.

Yes.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by ninja bobw

Most gel batteries only last 2 years anyway.

SV doesn't have a gel battery.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by lee67

could indicate a faulty starter sprag clutch.....that manifests itself as nothing at the button, then will catch..sometimes works first go..othertimes nothing..

You will hear the starter motor whirring if this is the case.

[Old Git]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

You will hear the starter motor whirring if this is the case.

no whirring just the mearest attempt to turn engine over, sounds as though it is flat battery, just couldn't get my head around if a battery can be fine used every day for 5 weeks, then go out next day seem as though it is flat, then bump start, run & be fine for another 2-3-4 weeks before the cycle starts again.