right im starting to get seriously cheesed off with my mille. i fixed the starter relay and bike was running nice. had it out for a few hours and no problems. stopped at my mates house for 20 mins and it started again with no problems. then on friday i decided to get it out while it was nice. went home at dinner time and it started no problem (it is on an optimate 4) i went to work on it and it was parked at work for 4 hours and yet started no problem. went to local garden centre eyeing up christmas trees and tried to start it up again and think i flooded it because the choke was still on but only slightly. the battery is new and the optimate is showing that the battery is good. im sure the battery should at least turn the engine over as its new. after 4 presses of the ignition the battery drained. so im just wondering if it is the battery which is ****, the charging system on my bike or maybe spark plugs are shot. does anyone know what the problem could be or has anyone had this problem before, cheers guys
You need to check if the bike is charging the battery properly (measure voltage at battery with engine running)
The battery could still have a failing/faulty cell, I had a new battery and the Optimate said it was good but it would not turn the engine over.
What battery do you have and is your bike kept indoors ?
The battery could still have a failing/faulty cell, I had a new battery and the Optimate said it was good but it would not turn the engine over.
What battery do you have and is your bike kept indoors ?
Firstly what make and model is your new battery. At the very least it should be either a Yuasa, Bosch or Varta YTX14BS. Secondly when you bought your new battery, did you fill the battery up correctly, seal it, then put on the Optimate overnight as you should with all new batteries or did you put the battery straight onto the bike? Also do you turn your Optimate off each time you reconnect it to your bike to reset the charging cycle. If you don't then it won't recharge and condition your battery.
As you've correctly replaced the starter solenoid then this eliminates this. Just a note you must never touch the throttle when starting a Mille and always make sure the cold start lever is shut when the engine is warm or it will flood resulting in non start. However your battery should go on for much much longer than 4 presses of the starter, so assuming that the bikes charging the battery and your are correctly using the Optimate, my guess it's a duff battery
As you've correctly replaced the starter solenoid then this eliminates this. Just a note you must never touch the throttle when starting a Mille and always make sure the cold start lever is shut when the engine is warm or it will flood resulting in non start. However your battery should go on for much much longer than 4 presses of the starter, so assuming that the bikes charging the battery and your are correctly using the Optimate, my guess it's a duff battery
I have an interesting "fault" with my Optimate. Everytime I connect it to my new battery on the bike (about 2 months old) it goes to test charge as it should. When I go to the shed after a few days the red caution light is on yet the bike starts perfectly after being left for 3-4 weeks.
Any ideas? (sorry to hijack the thread!)
Any ideas? (sorry to hijack the thread!)
TT, how do you connect the Optimate to your battery?
One problem was with the older style Optimate connector which used to cause problems as it wasn't waterproof and over time a resistance built up within the connector due to corrosion. This then caused the red light to illuminate. A new waterproof connector cured things
One problem was with the older style Optimate connector which used to cause problems as it wasn't waterproof and over time a resistance built up within the connector due to corrosion. This then caused the red light to illuminate. A new waterproof connector cured things
After mucheo searching I found these to be one of the best batteries.
http://www.tayna.co.uk/YTX12-BS-Westco-Motorcycle-Battery-P3380.html
That's if your battery is knackered of course.
http://www.tayna.co.uk/YTX12-BS-Westco-Motorcycle-Battery-P3380.html
That's if your battery is knackered of course.
battery is a ytx12bs and its none of the makes you mentioned. when i bought the battery i filled it and sealed it and put it on the bike as i was stuck at work and needed to get home. i only live 5 mins away from work you see. when i got home it was a few days before i charged it on optimate. would this have damaged the battery? also just a thought, would the race can have an effect on the mixture and therefor flood the engine easier? im thinking i need a better battery it was £35 which makes me think its not the best
you may very well have damaged it, unfortunately the plates need time to absorb the acid and start the process off.
If you can get the Westco YTX14BS from Tayna (as mentioned earlier)
If you can get the Westco YTX14BS from Tayna (as mentioned earlier)
Check the charging but it sounds like a crap battery. I bought a Bosch off the shelf at (sorry) Halfords. About £55 as I remember. You'll get them cheaper on line but at least you don't have to wait and there's no postage charge.
im just hoping its the battery and not the charging system. i will look into it and make sure the bike is charging the battery and if it is then i know i need a new battery.
cheers guys yet again a good help
cheers guys yet again a good help
Lesg, I leave it switched off, connect it then switch on. Strange thing is, if I connect it to my "spare" battery it doesn't do it.
I may just buy a new one, but whilst the bike seems to be starting nicely it would appear to be a waste of money.
Joined Jul 2008
97 Posts | 0+
first check your brown connectors (connects regulator) under seat toward back, i have had starting problems so i got oxford oximizer which has helped, but onstripping tail of bike i noticed brown connectors have burnt and melted! so i have removed connectors and hard wired to regulator 
