Honda CG 125 Won't Start

[Rozay]

Hey guys

First post on here, I'm new to biking and have bought a Wuyang 125 in order to get road experience whilst passing my direct access, this Wuyang is a copy of the CG 125 (2001 old style model), except it comes with an electric start and no kick start.

I've had it 6 months and it's been running like a dream. I went to start it up a couple of days ago and got no joy, just get a buzzing noise from around the battery area. Following discussions with a more mechanically minded friend I checked the connectors on the battery and found that one of the battery connector nuts was missing resulting in a loose connection. After getting hold of the correct nut and having a go at the connectors with a scourer to get rid of the rust I tightened them all up but it's still giving the exact same reaction. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts?

Notables
- I may have left the lights switch on when switching the bike off (you need to turn the lights on and off manually) but I don't see how that could have flattened the battery as they obviously go off when I kill the ignition.
- I had a USB attached to the battery to run a sat nav but it was all running fine and never gave indications of an issue (I've now disconnected it).
- the back light bulb has gone a couple of times in the past couple of months and may have gone again at the same time that this current issue started. I've just changed it and it has come on but the socket where the bulb sits seems a bit temperamental. Could this be triggering a fuse somewhere?
- Currently when I put it in neutral, all the lights on the bike are working.
- I've checked the top of the spark plug and can see no obvious discolouration or residue.
- A couple of weeks back I topped up the oil for the first time in a pretty slapdash fashion but didn't add that much.

Any help or guidance gratefully received!

Cheers
Ross

- I've added a couple of pics to give you a general idea, will try and get a video of the sound up also.

[Teflon-Mike]

Try charging the battery, or kick-starting the engine.

Starter motors suck maybe 10x the nominal ampage rating of the battery.

That looks like a 4Amp-Hour battery. Charging system, might deliver something like 35W or 3A at 'peak' charging revs; probably around 3,000. So it would take the generator, working full pelt, over an hour and a half to charge that battery from completely flat. On a 4A mains work-shop charger, it would still take probably 8hours to charge fully from fully flat, as the ampage delivered will fall as the battery accepts charge, so it will only take 4A for the first few moments, then the rate will start to drop, and it will take much longer than notional amp-hour rating to fill.

Common issue on little bikes; especially CG's that were never intended to have big 40A sucking starter motors on them, let alone sat-nav or smart-phone chargers sucking more of available electric.

Basically they don't make enough electric to replace in battery during running, what you likely take out during start and run, and problem is even worse if the engine never gets thrashed, and you rarely make peak charging revs; toddling around short shifting up the box, rarely letting the thing rev out, or holding higher revs it just wont make the charge. Do lots of short hops and stop-starts and use the e-start sucking 10x the amps the genny can make at peak, you have little chancs it will keep the battery topped up. Start wiring on additional accessories to charge your phone or use a sat-nav... well, you were starting from over-draft before you began, that's maxing out the credit card, and no wonder bank-manager shouts 'enough! Over-Draft limit exceeded!'

This is even more common on Chinky clones where the build quality and component quality isn't wonderful to start with; so no great surprise really.

Charge battery, on a bench charger; remove the accesory sockets and thrash the thing a bit!

IF you still have problems, then likely a new battery is in order; deep-discharging batteries, IE using starter motor.. when battery not near fully charged, will kill them in quick-time, and good odds your battery is long past its best... if it was particularly great to start with.

Get new; follow instructions to fill with acid; charge; check acid level; leave to settle; put back on charge, to be sure properly charged; repeat as necessary until acid level dont drop; THEN maybe a day later, think about fitting to bike...

THEN if you give it a chance; don't hammer battery on the e-start; dont suck more amps from it than needed trying to run smur-phone chargers etc; give the genny a chance and let the motor rev, and give it some longer runs to give it chance to put back charge... IF then you still have issues, then might be time to look at regulator or generator or other things... BUT until the usual suspects are eliminated, its PROBABLY them... ie a flat, knackered battery, never properly charged from over-load of short hop rides and excessive e-starts and bolt on electrical accessories!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[jaffa90]

Try jump leads from a donor battery to the battery + and the -- to the bike frame.

[Rozay]

Cheers guys - I'm going to try and bump start it tonight and if no joy put it on charge overnight. Here's a video of how it's sounding at present.

[jaffa90]

As my last post, also why twisting the throttle on start up?
Just press the start button if the bike is in order.
4 amp hour battery seems low for an electric start.

[Riejufixing]

"A couple of weeks back I topped up the oil for the first time in a pretty slapdash fashion but didn't add that much"

As you've had it for 6 months, when you have fixed the starting problem, I would be very, very inclined to change the oil.

[Rozay]

Thanks guys - I have a charger arriving today so fingers crossed that does the trick, will let you know.

- I don't know why I'm twisting the throttle to tell you the truth, will cut that out.

- I've not actually done that many miles in the months that I've had it but will investigate the oil situation if I manage ti get it going again.

Cheers

[Riejufixing]

[Rozay]

Hey guys - very happy to report that it's up and running! I forked out for one of those smart chargers and left it going over night, started up first time this morning and is sounding great...it actually started with the choke off which it has never done before!

Thanks everyone for your help!!