Battery or Stator?

[CorriganJ]

More endless problems with the Hyosung. It was a cheap bike but I'm going back to Japanese next time.

Anyway, during lockdown I didn't (couldn't) ride and since then its had trouble starting. Was perfect before fired up straight on the button. After lockdown sometimes it starts perfect on the dot. Sometimes I press ignition switch and nothing happens. Its not that the starter is struggling to turn, it just doesn't try. Maybe insufficent power to turn the starter motor? Then if I turn the ignition off and on then maybe it starts. I always managed to get it to work eventually, but it wasn't perfect on the dot like before.

Then the other day I rode 550km in a single day (torture on a 125). Did the trip no problem. Next day I go to start it up and nothing. Starter just chugs for ages but doesn't fire up. I try it again and again until it just does nothing (drained battery I guess).

Initially I didn't think it was the battery. I had just ridden 550km, it must be charged. I wondered if it was a clutch problem. It seemed the clutch wasn't fully disengaging so I wondered if this was preventing it from firing, either because of electrical systems preventing it, or because the clutch plates were sticking so it was like trying to start the bike in first gear, and it was just using all the energy trying to turn the wheels (a few days later the clutch cable did indeed snap and I have replaced it, but the starting problem persists).

Eventually I decided to bump start it as a last resort. I didn't think it would work because I was convinced it was the clutch not the battery, but it did start up, and I rode it around on a day trip to the mountains. Stop start was fine.

Next morning, doesn't work again. So now I'm in the situation where it is dead in the morning, I can bump it, ride around, turn the engine off and start it again warm, but if I leave it more than a few hours the battery goes dead and it needs jump starting again.

I expect the battery is dead and has lost the ability to hold charge, so my huge 550km trip either just was unable to charge it, or, conversely, maybe over charged it and damaged it? My other worry is that the battey is grounding out somewhere and draining power, but without a volt meter I can't test that.

Suggestions would be great. Might just drop the £25 on a new lead acid battery and be done with it.
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1991 RD04

[Tankie]

First thing to do is to get a multi meter and check to see if the charging system is working, stop playing " pin the tail on the donkey ",
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[MCN]

Y U No got Meter?
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[CorriganJ]

[wr6133]

Go on Spanish eBay and get similar to this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-DC-AC-OHM-Current-Circuit-Buzzer-Tester/353173279979?epid=14018912118&hash=item523ac494eb:g:NAUAAOSwLNtfFo15

Though if the starter is cranking the engine it's not going to be a dead battery, well not till you hold the starter long enough to drain it.

[jeffyjeff]

[Robby]

Is the starter relay clicking, or just doing nothing at all when you press the button?

I agree that you need a meter, but it sounds like there are a few things going on here:

1. Sometimes not even trying to turn over on the starter.
2. Sometimes turning over, but not catching.
3. Sometimes nothing, but starts with a bump and then behaves.

As ever, if it isn't charging then reg/rec is the most likely culprit. They're just shit. Worth also sticking the battery on a proper plug-in charger, seeing as it would need about 8 hours of riding to fully charge a flat battery.

I'm wondering if there is also a problem in the ignition switch and its wiring, starter relay, or the big bundle of wires that go around the headstock. Have a good look at that wiring bundle for evidence of chafing.

[CorriganJ]

[Robby]

Well then it could be something as simple as a corroded/sticking clutch switch, if it has a complex bunch of safety switches to stop it starting (clutch, side stand, neutral, maybe brake). One of those sticking during a few weeks of sitting is possible.

[growler]

by pass the side stand switch and see if that makes a difference
quick and simple to do if no difference you need to check the stator as they are a known issue if it is the stator you need to change the reg/rec as well as they are also shit

Ps have a gv650 07 plate and had both go stator whilst in warranty and rec just out of warranty
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DILLIGAF