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About a week ago, my bike wouldn't start after a short trip to the bank. Not enough crank in the battery. I tried a couple times to push start it with some help, but couldn't get it. Called a tow company and they were able to jump it for me, but as soon as I moved turned the choke off it died and wouldn't re jump.
I purchased a new battery, and discovered the one in there was one size larger than the recommended battery. So I bought the recommended one, tested the old one to make sure it was gone and it was. Bike turned over right away with the new battery, better than it ever had before.
I've only rode it a couple short distances with the new battery. Warmed it up today and took off. I noticed my turn signals weren't blinking. Too bright in the sun to see if they were even on, but the indicator was on solid. It would start blinking slowly when the bike was turning. I stopped at a 7-11 for no longer than 5 minutes and the bike wouldn't start again. Slow crank, as if the battery was dying.
I've read a lot of articles suggestion electrical wire testing and complicated procedures. The knowledge I have from cars tells me it's probably an alternator problem. Has anyone here had one of these bikes or a similar problem, and maybe some suggestions to try?
Picked one up today and also a float charger.
Even more shamed because my dad's an electrician haha
Thanks for jumping on the shame wagon. I don't consider using one an impediment, I just don't have one at the moment.
Not something I usually carry around in my back pocket. Do you?
The complicated procedures comment had more to do with not having all the tools for troubleshooting, but I'm now seeing the necessity of obtaining them.
How do I find that out if the bike isn't running? Only thing I can think of doing is taking the battery to get tested, but that only tells me about the battery.
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- 5 years ago
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I'm going to start by checking all the connections. It started up tonight when I went back to pick it up, but the blinkers only blink when I give it throttle. You're right about having a vintage bike not just for being on the low cash plan. But I also have it because I want to learn to work on it. I need a hobby and am interested in being my own mechanic down the line.