Electrical Issue (Battery)

Hello,
So I have been have some electrical issue recently. I didnt ride my bike for about a week and when I went to start it, it was completely dead. I jumped it and it started right away, but even after riding for a while, there was not enough charge to start again. I took into a shop and left it on the trickle charger and now it has more power and will start. The issue now is that my neutral light, tach, brake light and turn signals don't work. It seems like there isn't enough power to run these, because the tach will start to work but if I touch the brake or use a turn signal, the tach will fall to zero. Could it just be that this battery is shot? It is only about 6 months old.

Thanks,
Alex

 

I had a similar problem once and It was a bulb that was out. Check all your bulbs and also check all your connections. While you are checking your connections you can use a dialectric spray to clean them. let us know the result.

 

Okay, thanks. Was it a turn signal bulb? Would that cause all the systems to do that?

 

Alex, what are the details of your bike?

 

1982 Maxim 650. 20KMiles

 

do you have the stock fusebox?

 

I would assume so. I have not made any modifications since I bought it.

 

there are some years that the bulb style box needs to be updated. look at the box where the fuses plug in and look for cracks, etc.

 

Alex, you might have more problems than a spotty battery. You can check your battery out by charging it overnight on a trickle charger (2 amps or less) then getting it load tested at an automotive supply store. Get your bike running again and do a voltage check of the charging system. You should see 14 volts at RPMs over 5,000. I've noticed that my charging system turns on just about 3,000 RPM. You may experience something similar.
As for the loss of your internal/external signals and lights makes me think you have a compromised electrical system. I'd be looking closely at your harness (pull the headlight bucket, the tank and the side covers to expose everything) for any damage or hack repairs.
Let us know what you find won't you?

 

The first place to start is the fusebox. The fuse clips themselves become crystallized with age, and break for no reason. You can replace them with similarly-shaped parts from Radio Shack but then you still have the glass fuses. The recommended long-term fix is to retrofit to a modern blade-style fusebox.

Also check the battery connections, ground wire connections, and unplug the big connector to the voltage regulator (the big heatsink) and check the terminals in both sides of the connector.

Finally, 20K miles means it might also be time for new alternator brushes. At the very least you should pop the cover, look in there and clean everything; and check the brush length.

It sounds to me like you're not charging the battery AND have some additional issues as well.

 

It can be just one issue or it can be many issues. I would just check everything. In my case the bulb and dirty connections were the problem.