Will a battery charger and starter fry my XJ750?

I think my brushes are out, bike started when I was starting to take my finger out of the ignition button.
I haven't starter my bike in two weeks, and when I tried 2 days ago I drained the battery.
I have seen a battery charger (2 amp., should work for my motorcycle battery) and starter (50 amp.)

Will the starter (50 amp.) fry my bike?
Should I just recharge the battery and check the brushes?
I would like to start it as soon as possible so I don't clog my carbs.

What should I do?

Thank you guys, this is the best forum

83 XJ750MK Midnight Maxim (36,500 miles)

 

I'm not fully understanding your post. By charger and starter are you talking about a portable jump starter unit?
And how is the starter not working if you drained your battery trying to start the bike?
If the brushes are gone the starter will work intermittently or not at all. If the starter clutch is having problems then the starter will turn without turning the engine.
If the starter is not turning then I would charge the battery and check the brushes. The starter comes out with the removal of only two bolts and the power lead. Minium brush length is 8.5mm. Only one has to be this short.
If this checks out good then the starter button may be bad. Usually it only needs cleaning.
If the starter is turning and not turning the engine then the starter clutch is the problem. This is a fairly major repair. Yet sometimes a seafoam treatment to the engine oil can work. Start the by pushing starting and add a can to the crankcase with the bike on the centerstand. . Once the engine is fully warm run it for about 5 minutes running through the gears. Then drain the oil. Replace with some cheap oil and run the bike until warm. Drain again and replace oil filter and oil with your regular oil. This treatment cleans gunk out of the starter clutch rollers allowing them to return to their rested position and engage the starter.
A 2 amp charger will work fine to charge the battery. I believe 1.5 to 3 amps is what is recommended. Car batteries charge at 6 amps and this is too much.

 

Thank you, let me make myself more clear

My bike always had trouble starting, I would need more than one try.
The engine turns when I press the ignition but it doesn't fire up.
It usually fired up when I was taking the finger off the button, and I read I might have worn brushes (For a bike 23 years old and with 36k miles that wouldn't surprise me)

I was wondering if a car starter (50 amps) will work to start my bike. I think it maybe too much, but I don't really know.

I will try to push start it and add seafoam. I need an oil change anyway.

Thank you

 

You think you can get a car starter to bolt in? I don't think it is the amperage I would be worrying about but whether or not it has teeth that mesh properly, or if it disengages when the engine actually has started.

Sometimes the bike will start poorly like you describe and it is not the starter at all, or the starter has been worn out since it needs a tune up and it has stressed the starter into failing.

I wore out a starter and the starter clutch in my KZ because the carbs were wonky and it needed a valve job. Once I got it running right, it would start easy.

 

No, not a car starter. It is a battery charger that can deliver 50 amps for a short period of time in order to start the car. That is why I worry about the amps. It is good for a car, but it might be to much for my XJ.

I am charging the battery right now, it was quite low, so I might be able to start the bike once the battery is fully charged.

The brushes are in the left side of the bike right? (The left side when you are sitting on the bike)
Are they easy to find?

 

The 50 amp charger will not harm your machine so long as you clamp on the terminals BEFORE you turn on either the machine or the charger. The bike will pull only what it needs, the charger will not try to cram 50 amps down it's throat, so put your mind at ease. The charger WILL deliver a huge spike in amperage if you connect it to the bike with the charger turned on, endangering your electronics. Do not use the 50 amp setting for very long either, just long enough to get the machine started and then turn it off (it will boil out your battery).
Righ out of hand I'd say your in need of a new battery to start off with (given the description of your starting issues) but get it checked out with a load tester first before condeming it.
Your brushes are under the alternator cover on the left side of the bike (just as you described), behind the cylinder block, on top of the crank/gear case. Three allen head bolts and you can see the brushes.

 

i reckon I boiled out my batery using a car charger.Battery was getting it 1st charge.I just bought some more acid to add to it.Do you think I ruined this new battery?

 

I checked the brushes and they were ok, almost half an inch (12 cm.)

I cleaned the positive connector and cut the old connector and instaled a new one.

When the battery finished charging I plugged it in and started the bike sooooo nicely. I was scared it was something more expensive, I forgot that these XJs will run forever!

Thanks everybody!!

When a carb clinic in the Portland/Vancouver area?
I see a lot of users from Canada, and I wouldn't mind to drive up in the summer if there is no carb clinic around here.

DRIVE SAFE
I fell down the other day, there was a leak inside a tunnel (I NEVER expected a puddle of water in the middle of a f****** tunnel). Anyway, a Dodge Durango went over my and my bike and the helmet saved my life (I can see the tire thread stamped on it)and just got my arm squished. My XJ just needs a front blinker, she was more lucky than me!

 

are you serious about the truck running over you?If so glad your ok.

 

this guy got run over by a suv and almost had his head caved in and all he can think of is getting his bike running!!!!

now thats Love.

glad to hear you got your bike running and we all hope you are o.k the bike can be fixed.

 

Once a battery has been charged with acid, you never add more acid to it! Only water evaporates out, so you always top up the level with distilled water, NOT acid!

 

battery looked completly dry,

 

Once a lead/acid cell battery has been initially serviced, it should never have more acid added as Nick pointed out. If the cells were dry, you should be investing in a new battery, the old one will not work right ever again.

 

Squished! That doesn't sound good at all. I am so glad you are still with us and I wish you a speedy recovery. Did you break any bones? Are you typing one handed? Is your girl or S.O. there taking care of you and feeding you chicken soup?

 

I'd be home, in bed; with Red Pascal candles as the only source of light.

I'd have an American Flag placed in the corner, behind me, so I looked very Patriotic in the photograph approved for release to the media.

I'd have my head bandaged before doing any of the television interviews.

When the bubble-headed bleach-blonde they send, to interview me about the accident, asks me any question; My only response to her and anybody else who asks me anything would be:

"You really need to speak with a member of The Firm representing me."

Then I would climb back in bed, and pull the covers up around my neck, and just mumble about getting the bike fixed. "I need a battery. I need a signal. I need a helmet. I need a sympathetic jury."

I'd have someone who does come-in to visit me, start spreading the rumor that: "He's never going to be himself; again!"

I'd probably settle out-of-court; too!

 

Nice, Rick. I like it. Maybe next time....