another post winter won't start!

mattie1972 · Jan 31, 2011

Morning all,

Bike has been in hibernation since late Nov, been on an Optimate the whole time.

Went to start it up on Sunday, it turns a bit, coughs (no clicking) and nothing.

My stator went last Aug, but has run fine since then. Its plugged into the optimate the whole time its not in use.

Reading shows 13v when plugged in, drops to 12.2v when Optimate is turned off......then drops to 11, 10, 9 and 8v when trying to start.

Sounds like a knackered battery?

Thanks all

AF1-windy · Jan 31, 2011

mattie1972 said:
Morning all,

Bike has been in hibernation since late Nov, been on an Optimate the whole time.

Went to start it up on Sunday, it turns a bit, coughs (no clicking) and nothing.

My stator went last Aug, but has run fine since then. Its plugged into the optimate the whole time its not in use.

Reading shows 13v when plugged in, drops to 12.2v when Optimate is turned off......then drops to 11, 10, 9 and 8v when trying to start.

Sounds like a knackered battery?

Thanks all

:crazy Not much help for you but mine started yesterday the instant I thumbed the starter...It's been sat on the optimate since August last year, hadn't even lifted the cover until yesterday...weird how some just work and others don't...:banghead

Hope you get yours sorted...

windy

england 2 · Jan 31, 2011

These optimates only put a little in at a time ..........To me the battery is going into lazy mode (new one)

If your leaving it for a couple of monthes then remove the battery and take inside , under the stairs seems a good place as it wont get hot and dry out.
A proper charge on a normal charger is better as it will make the battery work.

Remember ....... a battery lasts longer the more you use it

Batfastard · Jan 31, 2011

hector said:
These optimates only put a little in at a time ..........To me the battery is going into lazy mode (new one)

If your leaving it for a couple of monthes then remove the battery and take inside , under the stairs seems a good place as it wont get hot and dry out.
A proper charge on a normal charger is better as it will make the battery work.

Remember ....... a battery lasts longer the more you use it

A pukka battery tender will cycle the battery, discharging it and charging it to keep it in tip top condition.
Before I got my garage sorted with power I used to remove the battery in autumn, charge it up in spring and refit it to the bike, then it would go flat and I would buy a new battery. :thumbdown

Optimates are not foolproof, the one on my brothers bike went bonkers and his battery looked like a football.

Compared to nothing a battery tender is the best way to keep you battery in good condition. :thumbup

england 2 · Jan 31, 2011

Your not wrong Bat but we can go on forever..............

DO put the battery on optimate but when it dies buy a new on . I have a nice collection of dead batteries after optimate use.

I am at present using an optimate on one battery (DR), running the "T" and fazer now and then and leaving the Tripple as it`s in the house .
Tripple started yesterday after more than a month standing.

seanramsay · Jan 31, 2011

a normally keep mine on the cherger but kindle it up every 2 or 3 week, some folk say no to do it, some say its better tae let fresh petrol swirl aboot,,,,a dinae ken, but ahve done that fir 20 odd tear wi nae bother :thumbup

Dynamo · Jan 31, 2011

Sounds like the battery is fooked matt

Did you try charging it up again overnight, as someone says the optimate is not perfect maybe a new day will be better

Heres the link to the battery I got today, was good in our nelli and higher crancking amps so hopefull its good for ours

Although i have noticed a big difference between the rsv and the tuono in the speed of the turn over which makes me think my rsv has a lazy starter

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400185203848&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

grin factor · Jan 31, 2011

Bloody pot luck with these bikes, a bit like women, some need more to get them going than others. Then theres those that refuse to work at all. Frustrating isn't it

Ash · Jan 31, 2011

Frustrating is a little tame, two batteries and still no thunder.

mattie1972 · Feb 7, 2011

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I reset the optimate at the weekend, left it 30 mins until the light went green again, thumbed the starter and second try it fired up?!

I've bought a new battery anyway, but switching the optimate off/on every once in a while seems a good tip if anyone else is having starting problems.

bay_1472 · Feb 7, 2011

I'll switch it off and on tonight me thinks. Had problems starting mine the other day as well but thats cos I left me choke on since I last started it. Can't wait for the finer weather now. New exhaust to put on, new tyres to get put on and I'm going to get Griff to do me suspension this year I beleive just so its right.

What happens if I lose weight though. Hmmmm.
Might ask him to adjust the ride height at the rear as well. i do beleive u can do that on my bike as I prefer a taller rear end.

Batfastard · Feb 7, 2011

bay_1472 said:
Might ask him to adjust the ride height at the rear as well. i do beleive u can do that on my bike as I prefer a taller rear end.

You can lengthen the shock by a few mm by unthreading the bottom eye a couple of turns, or simply jack up the prelod a few turns - it has more effect on ride height than spring rate.

Where are your forks, I run mine with 4 rings showing, Apes do seem to like being nose down.

bay_1472 · Feb 7, 2011

Mine are 2 or 3 down Bat. They're def not down one and not 4 but I haven't seen my bike for so long under its cover I couldn't rightly tell u. I think I read on a review on my bike that I can adjust the ride height without touching the preload.

Batfastard · Feb 7, 2011

bay_1472 said:
Mine are 2 or 3 down Bat. They're def not down one and not 4 but I haven't seen my bike for so long under its cover I couldn't rightly tell u. I think I read on a review on my bike that I can adjust the ride height without touching the preload.

If you like the arse up feel drop the forks to 4 rings - you might need another click on the steering damper, but it will sharpen up turn in. You can adjust the length of the rear shock - but you will have to unbolt the bottom. The lower mounting eye is threaded so you can release the lock nut, unwind it a couple of turns and then redo the locknut. Check on the Ohlins website for the max length - don't over extend it in case it fails.

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another post winter won't start!

mattie1972

AF1-windy

england 2

Batfastard

england 2

seanramsay

Dynamo

grin factor

Ash

mattie1972

bay_1472

Batfastard

bay_1472

Batfastard

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