Quick question - battery dead; bump it, but runs poorly

[Shay HTFC]

Ok, for the last couple of days, when I press the starter button nothing happens. Not even the clicking noise. So I bump start it, but it feels weak and I've stalled twice when at low revs as if there is no power to get it going. Once I've been going for a bit it seems better.

The lights on the dash also flicker with the revs to start off with, but over time get brighter through the course of my journey.

Will get the multimeter out tonight and have a poke around, but is this symptomatic of a dead battery, or something more serious like a knackered reg/rec or something?

Cheers
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Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95

[Kickstart]

Hi

Sounds like a weak battery. Might be on its last legs, might just be that the bike is a bit sensitive to battery voltage (the ZZR600 we have really doesn't want to know if it has a flat battery and you jump start it).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Phoenix]

Yep the battery is obviously knackered so i'd replace that, then when that's replaced I'd check the output from the regulator too as if that has had it it'll kill the new battery aswell. A simple check once the new battery is on is to check the lights get brighter when you rev it, if not there's probably something wrong with the regulator or the alternator, check both.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Some chance the battery isn't knackered. The one on the ZZR I rescued with about a week on an Optimate.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Phoenix]

Sorry, I thought he'd already tried charging it off the bike. Might be salvageable, my Pontiac one is the same, in the car it'll hold charge but slowly loses even with driving, needs chargining off he car every few weeks to keep it going, the alternator is fine its just a knackered battery.

[Shay HTFC]

Quick update.

Tried bumping it this morning, but it never really got running. It would chug along and not pick up revs, but suddenly the revs would pick up. However, as soon as I let out the clutch and put any strain on the machine to pull me forward it would struggle, the revs would drop and often stall.

I've got the battery charging now as unfortunately the bike is about a mile down a hill from my house.

Will hopefully be able to check the voltages etc when I have it back and it's idling.
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Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95