Battery Basics

Sez · L Plate Warrior Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Karma :

I just had my first bike delivered last week, an Aprilia RS 125 racing replica. Everything had been going fine until Saturday night, when I was about to go out, and the bike wouldn't start. I've checked over the manual I got with it, and can't find anything of real use. I've checked and double checked what I'm doing before I get on, i.e. cold start switch and letting the engine run, everything that should be on is on, but when I press the starter, I'm just getting a brief noise and nothing else. My husband thinks it's the battery, but since we've only recently moved to the area, we don't know anyone who can help. I've tried to call the dealer I bought the bike from, but can't get through. It's been suggested that I totally recharge the battery, but I don't have the leads to do it. Is there anything I can do to fix the problem without a/ paying out for recharge leads, or b/ taking the bike to a mechanic, as I really don't have the money for it right now?
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*~Sez~*

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Right.. quickly, 'cos I have to go to work:
Get the dealer to sort it out... if you still can't get through call trading standards. Nevermind the warranty, if they sell a bike it should work for the first few weeks Smile

THings you might want to check:
The kill switch (this has caught me and many others out in the past)
That it definatley is in neutral.
Give it a bump start and see if it goes from that (do a search on here, I'm sure you'll find some stuff)

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

So does the bike start now?

An Optimate would be a wise investment, but it would only help you at the moment if your problems are indeed battery-based.

If you bought the bike from a dealer, then you should almost certainly have some degree of warranty (either official or third party). Is the bike brand new? You should definately make an effort to contact the dealer, and get them to check it over. It's your right.
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TiN
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Sez · L Plate Warrior Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Karma :

Yes, it's brand new. I'm going to keep phoning the dealer from work, in that case, and try to get hold of them, and this evening, I'll try out the suggestions you've given me. Thanks a lot. Hopefully, I'll have the problem sorted soon!
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*~Sez~*

Deano · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Karma :

erm, may seem silly but does the bike have a kill switch on the sidestand try starting the bike while off the sidestand.
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kevo · Cop Seeking Missile Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Karma :

Lee · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Karma :

Sez · L Plate Warrior Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Karma :

When I've tried, it's always been off the side stand & in neutral, and I don't have an alarm or immobiliser yet. As far as I know the only killswitch that I have and that's been "fiddled with" is the one on the right hand side above the starter. I'm not entirely certain which way is on (I'm assuming was okay before as it was the same position as when I was riding, & I've not touched it, and I don't think anyone else has either) but I tried it in the other position just in case. Still no life Crying or Very sad

I wasn't sure that it was okay to use the battery charger for a car on it? Or are they both the same? If that's okay, then I'll go and have a word with the neighbours and see if anyone can help. Thanks a lot for all of the advice.
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*~Sez~*

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Do the lights etc work?

Does it sound as though the bike is attempting to start? i.e. does it make the sort of "chugging" noise when you press/hold the started button? or does it just click?

Have you tried bump starting it?
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TiN
dotgems.net

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

The RS battery is fairly large, and I don't think it has a parking light so you shouldn't be able to leave that on to flatten the battery.

When you press the button it should switch on a relay (so you will hear a click) which will allow power to the starter motor to turn the engine over. So, in very quick succession you should hear a click from the relay, then a clunk from the starter motor (under the engine) as it engages and then the engine should turn over. what noises does your bike make?

The battery on the RS is between the frame rails at the front, under the petrol tank. Take the seat off and then undo the allen key holding the tank up and you should be able to get straight at the battery.

You can us a normal car battery charger, but I would not do so with the battery still connected up on the bike. The Optimate chargers are designed to keep batteries topped up and can be used on the bike

Are any of the electrics working? Have you got horn / headlights etc?

By the way, whereabouts are you as someone may be nearby who can help you.

All the best

Keith
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one1895 · Posted: 15:44 - 07 Jul 2003 Post subject:

Hi, same thing happened to me two days after I got my NSR, I was stuck in a dodgy place for 2hrs until honda assistance came and towed it off. The problem: unknown.. but it started the next day.

Make sure your fuel taps on etc etc. Kill switch, there's usually a big bit and a small bit to it, the small bit should be pressed down.

Cam.
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Sez · L Plate Warrior Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Karma :

I'm from Witham in Essex.
It makes a "chugging" noise for a few seconds, and then cuts off. The lights work faintly until I try to press the starter and then they cut off as well. I'm going to see if my neighbour will lend me her battery charger tonight, and I'll see if it will switch on after it's been charged. I'm still trying to get hold of my dealer, but no luck yet.
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*~Sez~*

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Have you tried bump starting it yet?

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Does sound like a flat battery. It shouldn't go flat very easily unless you have been doing loads of very short journies (and even that is unlikely). However if it has enough to turn the engine over for a few seconds it sounds like it still has some life.

Take the battery off the bike to charge it. It is held in with 3 bolts, one to hold the water header tank in place (which locates the battery) and one on each of the battery terminals. Undo the negative terminal first, then the positive terminally (this way if you slip with the screw driver on the first terminal it doesn't matter as you will just earth the earth, and when you do the second one if you slip it doesn't matter as the bike is no longer earthed to the battery).

Also take the spark plug out and clean it (easy to do, and there should be a plug spanner in the tool kit)

Once you have got the battery charged and got the bike to run again borrow a voltmeter and put this over the battery terminals with the engine running. This should show quite a bit over 12V (around 13~13.5) with the engine idling, and 14.5~15V with the engine being revved

Sorry I am up in Stafford so miles away

All the best

Keith
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