Not starting, checking out a charging fault

[Paul2129]

I have a 2005 CG125 (somebody has to it's done 23,000 miles. When I bought it, it was slow at turning the starter motor, I changed the battery, I'll admit, a cheap eBay one. All was well for maybe 2 years of fairly heavy daily use. The starter seemed to start jamming, it was replaced with one from a breakers.
I've started to notice that if it doesn't start on the first press, that the next press appears to have completely drained the battery. Ive just been on a long ride, and found that it was further drained during the ride, later on short errands it seemed better.

So, could it be :

1, the reg/rec, if so, how do I test it ?

Or

2, if it shows up 12 to 13v across the battery with the engine off, and 14.4v (ish) with the engine on and revving a bit, does that suggest that all is well with the charging ? (I have a digital display that shows voltage, I might be able to rig it up such that I can keep my eye on what the battery sees during a ride, any point ?)


They say "common things are common", fair point, but reg/recs are pretty common problems on Hondas. I think the next battery will be a decent one, I'd rather not fry it


Many thanks

[MattEMulsion]

From what you have stated the charging system sounds fine. I would say that your cheap ebay battery is on its last legs.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[Paul2129]

Thanks, I'm hoping so. I'll try to make sure I've checked it out first. I guess if I'm seeing 14.4v while the bike is running at all engine speeds then the rest of the charging gear is guess

[FlightRisk]

From what I remember;
- check battery voltage with the ignition off
- turn the key so your lights come on

If the battery voltage instantly plummets, it's f***ed > buy a Yuasa > fit & forget.
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Honda CB500S

[MCN]

14.5ish engine running is good. (More can boil the battery acid)

As said, probably bad battery. YOu should expect to pay about £30 ish

https://www.yuasa.co.uk/

Yuasa is what lots of Proper OEM fit as standard.
If the bike is left for several months then you need to connect a trickle charger to protect your investment.

I use only these now. The others I have used seemed to not last or werent as good at what they are supposed to do.

https://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/productprofile.asp?ProductGroupID=2654&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=google-base&gclid=CILm18D4qcgCFQkUwwod-2cNbw
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Paul2129]

Brilliant, thanks guys for the replies. I'll test the voltage today, stupid of me to buy a cheap battery, cost more in the long run

[SpencerJ]

I'll be watching this.
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A.K.A. - Brooksy

[mentalboy]