Do i need a new battery? - Fast Answer Please

[TheDonUK]

Hello workshop,

Basically since that cold snap a couple of weeks ago my bike is not starting on the button from cold anymore. The battery has enough power to get the starter motor going but its just not catching, it ends up backfiring alot. It probably would start if i sat there for 2 minutes cranking it as it splutters a bit, but this would probably completely flatten it.

If i bumpstart it it will generally start first time, and once it has run for a few seconds it will start as many times as i need for the rest of the day, the problem comes as it sits outside all night, it wont start again in the morning.

Would i be correct in assuming the voltage has dropped below 12.6?

I live in a flat in central london, i dont own an optimate/voltmeter/ammeter/charger, nor would i have anywhere to plug one in if i did.

I rang up cpcbatteries in twickenham and they will do a VARTA battery for 38 quid, before i run over there today and pick one up, just wanted to run it by you good folks to see if im missing something and i might be about to waste some money.

Most of my commutes are only 30-40 mins, but the bike usually sees coming on for 2 hours riding a day. As i said once i bump it in the morning it will start on the button once the engine is warm, Im assuming because it takes less power to start a warm engine?

I figure since after a ride it can sit for a couple of hours and then start on the button it must be getting a charge from the bike.

Quick answers/advice much appreciated as if i do go buy that battery it will be around lunchtime today.
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[SW Motech Shop UK]

A battery optimiser (acumen or optimate) will most likely give the battery its life back. Extreme cold messes batteries up. Some bikes will still turn over even if the battery has dropped to about 10v but they wont catch.
To charge your battery take it off the bike and charge it indoors.
If the battery is a couple of years old you may have already had its best and it may be worth buying a new one. You will still have to charge the new one before you can use it.
So buy a charger first.

Good luck
____________________
https://www.motorcycle-road-and-race.co.uk and https://www.sw-motech-shop.co.uk/ and https://www.motorcycle-luggage.co.uk/

[TheDonUK]

The battery is the one that was on the bike when i got it second hand over a year ago, so its seen at least one winter, and my guess is its been sitting for a fair while longer than that.

This battery place will charge it/acid it up for you rdy for collection given an hours notice.

I will get around to getting a charger, but to be honest in my situation its actually less hassel to bump start it than it is to take off the fairing/mainseat/tank.

Just another thought i had i dont know if it could be of any relevance but the air filter has not been changed for a long long time, the spark plugs could be quite grimey by now also. Could it be something like that rather than the battery? The only reason i say that is due to all the backfiring when it attempts to start on the button...
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[evoboy]

Air filter being clogged wont help. My '00 zx6 started playing up last week. Pulling the tank and airbox lid off to look at the air filter...

The amount of flies and dead crap/grime on there was mad. Plugs were also due a change (20k+ miles they had done).

Runs sweet now.

The batt isnt hard to get to. Take the pillion seat off, undo the bolt at the front of the storage area (tis almost under the mainseat), take off the little bracket and the main seat comes off... The batt lives under there
____________________
Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[Feasty]

The last time my bike wouldn't start like yours, although it would turn over no problem with the occassional backfiring, it was down to a damp spark plug. Each time I attempted to start it it almost got there but never quite caught. I'd suggest you get a new spark plug and also check the cap connection on the plug is good and clean.
I've never bump started a bike before though so don't know if mine would've started this way.

If you do get a new battery and they only charge it for an hour for you, I'd suggest going out for a long run as soon as you get it to make sure itgets a good full charge.
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[G]

Same symptoms on my zx9 (lot of back firing etc) last year and new battery cured it. I strongly suspect that's the best course of action - the cold always knackers batteries near the end of their life, especially with vehicles left out a lot.

Generally is easier to start a warm road engine as oil is a bit thinner etc for a start.

[TheDonUK]

Well i just went out and took the tank off, opened the air box and .

Lets just say im glad they dont prosecute for mass genocide of fly's/bugs Well dirty, i cleaned it out with hot water and then hairdryed it, and put that back in.

Im going to ring the battery place now and tell them to get it ready because although this has allowed me to perfect my bump start technique i dont enjoy the game of roulette as to if it will start.

I will post here tomorrow if it starts on the button...

Cheers

PS. I will also get the plugs done at some point soon
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Kickstart]

Hi

If it will keep cranking over for a coulpe of minutes I would suspect the battery is still in OK condition. New battery might help, but would suspect the real problem is elsewhere.

All the best

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

[TheDonUK]

I dont know that it will Keith, I can only assume, the most i will crank the bike before i resort to bumping is about 30 seconds in 5-6 second bursts. I have never sat there for a few minutes cranking as the bike untill this cold snap used to start on the button almost instantly.

If it was not receiving a charge from the bike im sure it would be completely flat by now with the amount of city runs i do.

It just feels as if it does not have enough punch left to get it going, Also im not 100% but i think the cranking is slightly slower than it used to be.

As i say ill find out tomorrow morning, going to pick up the battery now, will then go for a bit of a ride for an hour or so and i guess ill find out tomorrow if its still spluttering etc plugs will be next.

When you say the problem may be elsewhere would you mind listing a few possible other culprits?
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Slow cranking will cause it a problem, but I would expect it to land up cranking very slowly before this was the primary cause.

I would be looking at the plugs, carb balance, etc. Also be possibly checking for a leaking needle valve (ie, dripping a bit of fuel in while parked and dumping it into the exhaust when you try and start it, hence backfires)

Not saying that a new battery won't help the problem. Just that if it is cranking it over that well anyway but still not firing I would expect there to be a problem elsewhere and a new battery might just disguise it for a bit.

All the best

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