Dilema

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

For ages my battery has never charged, infact since i bought the bike. I have had various tests done and rectifiers and still the battery does not charge... My dad sugguested taking the 33bhp restrictors out to see if that would help. The reason for this is because i only do about 10-15 miles a day to college and back and he thinks that the bike is not generating enough power to charge the battery. Could this be a resolution??? Also the spark plugs were very dirty and he sugguested changing the HT Cables. Would any of this help?? As you can probably tell, we are not very mechanically minded Sad

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

10-15 miles a day might be the problem.. but it won't make any difference being 33 bhp or full power...
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Kram · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

run the bike on idle, and run a voltmeter over the battery terminals. it should be aroun 14.4v, try running it at high revs, and see if the voltage changes. it should say 14.4v at all revs...

if it shows different numbers(lower) it might be the reg/rectifier has gone.

what bike is it?
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Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Either way, I think your Dad has a top idea there Thumbs Up

When you did the tests did you have the lights on or off? Maybe try riding without your lights on for the short journeys that you are making...
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numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

The guy at Trail and Track tested it and it was idling at about 12.something. The thing is most of the time i ride my bike now is in the dark due to the sun going down at 4. This means my lights need to be on all the time. I am going to do some motorway miles tomorrow with headlights on to see what happens. The only problem is what do i do if the battery does go flat? I wouldn't be able to get home.

Bike is a GSXR400. GK73A

BTW i'm on my 3rd CDI unit,
4th Battery and 4th Rectifier. Shocked

Kram · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

i think your electrics are screwed Confused

may i suggest a professional to look at it, maybe a short somewhere?
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FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I would have thought 10-15 miles would be enough? My daily commute is 5 miles, tehre and back. *gulp*

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

That voltage is low. Might be OK at idle, so you really need to check it with the engine running and revving to 5000rpm+. Some charging systems will not charge at all at low revs (one car I used to have would not charge the battery at all until it had been revved over 3000rpm).

Also check the headlight bulbs. Most Japanese market bikes have quite pathetic headlight bulbs, and if someone has put larger wattage bulbs in place then this will greatly increase the load on the battery, same if you are using heated grips or if you have the radiator fan wired on constantly.

The restriction should not have any effect on the charging system.

All the best

Keith
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