Hey everyone. Last time I reconnected the battery on my gen1, I got a small spark when touching the wires to the battery terminals indicating a small draw when all switches off. My searching leads me to the security system being the root problem. But my bike has cheap recut keys, not the originals. That leads me to think the security system has been bypassed or is not there. I've tried the restarting procedure of turning the key to on for 15 seconds then off and that did not fix it. Should I look at anything else as a problem? How hard is it to remove the security system if that is the problem? Anybody do anything to make cold starts easier too?
Battery draw when off
- Thread starter CamoKing88
- Start date
Regarding your sparking battery leads, it is more than likely down to the dash, the electric clock etc is always taking a bit of current, if you have any electrical extras such as an alarm that too will take some power, the key isn't an issue and there's no security system attached to it. As for difficult starting, are you following the recomended starting procedure? main thing to begin with is a fully charged battery, switch on, you'll here fuel pump prime,cold start / fast idle fully on, DO NOT TOUCH THROTTLE, press starter, hopefully then enjoy. If it doesn't fire up post more details, good luck with it though.
I've always had trouble starting it and replaced the battery with a higher CCA one. After that it fires off great when the battery is fully charged. But if I let it sit even a few days and its colder out, the thing will barely turn over the first time. Everyone says this is fairly normal but I figured with the upgraded battery, it would at least last me a week without needing a jump. I live in an apartment complex so battery tender is out of the question, otherwise I would just use that. I'll try you guys' suggestions with the throttle, that could be it since that first crank is really my only chance of getting it started.
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I think I'm gonna try upgrading the starter relay, anyone have any experiences with it? Apparently one for an R1 or for older Fords works, the Ford one is extreme overkill though. I'd be interested to see if it fits under the seat but if the R1 works fine there's no point in messing with it. For less than $10, its cheap insurance for me to root it out as an issue.
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Joined Jan 2015
552 Posts | 45+
Midlands (UK)
With an upgraded battery, it should start easy after just a week without use. As you suspect, something is draining your battery faster than normal, over and above the normal display discharge. The usual culprit is the alarm. Previous owner took the alarm off my Gen 1 for exactly that reason!
Changing the starter relay might help, but unlikely. Doubling up or replacing the battery +ve & -ve leads may help too, and especially checking to see that the earth points are strong and not corroded or badly connected. But your main problem sounds like excess battery discharge.
Joined Oct 2009
3K Posts | 1+
Guys worth upgrading the starter cables along with the solenoid/relay and battery as the original cables can only take so much power so they will be the weak link
I can recommend this guy over on aprilia.me Johnboy he makes uprated cable sets
Get in touch with him at the address below.
[email protected]
I can recommend this guy over on aprilia.me Johnboy he makes uprated cable sets
Get in touch with him at the address below.
[email protected]
Joined Jan 2014
176 Posts | 3+
Nooo Zeeeelund
I've also used his starter cables and can vouch for the quality. I added that with a bigger cca battery and the thing starts first touch whatever the weather. Didn't ride for two weeks over Xmas. Started first touch when I came back to it, plus my bike lives outside... no garage :-(
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