Bad Start to my Biking

[Dazzle]

Right i've taken my bike out for a run and about 16 miles away from home i stalled it and it wouldn't start flat battery. I managed to get it bumped off and rode it home. when i got back i measured the battery voltage which was 11.8v. When the bike is running its fine and goes well its just when i stop and try to start again its flat any ideas? i've had a new battery and a different rectifier and the voltage from the stator coils is fine could this be a duff battery? Please help im losing my rag with it now! :smt013

[extonyg]

was that 11.8v across the battery with ignition and everything off?the battery should have atleast 12.5v sounds like the battery is knackered but you say its a new one.....

[Dazzle]

yeah thats with the ignition off i think i'll have to get it tested. any other ideas?

[Jamz]

11.8v is a dead battery... get that changed first. If the rest of the charging system is ok it'll be job jobbed!

[Dazzle]

even though it's new well maybe 6 months old? its putting just over 13volts back in at 4k and the bike runs fine when its going its just when i stop it won't start again? Thanks Daz

[Jamz]

even though it's new well maybe 6 months old? its putting just over 13volts back in at 4k and the bike runs fine when its going its just when i stop it won't start again? Thanks Daz

13v is low at any revs! Like Rob says - you should be getting at least 12.5v at the battery with everything off - this will more likely be over 13v...

[Dazzle]

Are you saying that theres something wrong with the charging system or could a knackered battery be causing it to only be charging at that? i've just charged the battery again with my optimate 3 and its at 13.18v i'm gonna get a new one tomorrow to give it a go. also should i put a switch in to turn the dipped beam lights off as there on as soon as i switch the ignition on? Thanks Daz

[RedexRobB]

does the engine spin and spin and not start? Its beginning to sound like the hot starting problem that ZXR's can have.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3391

[Dazzle]

No i charged the battery last night struck her up this morning and went for a ride about 20miles stopped off to get some stuff. jumped back on and engine turns over but really struggling and the battery just dies after a couple of spins if that.

[RedexRobB]

Oh ok, just checking

you say your measuring 13.8v across the battery at 4K revs? I thinks its normally about 14.5v. Just checked in manual and its 14 to 15 volts (DC )

What you can do is pull the plugs off the back of the lights and see if it goes up. But if your seeing 14 to 15v across the battery at 4K revs then its looking more and more like the battery has had it.

[Dazzle]

LOL at DC got it right this time. It's reading about 13.1 at 4k thats with the lights on i'll try it tomorrow with them off and see what happens getting annoying now i just wanna ride it i've spend months building it up getting the frame powder coated and rebuilding the engine blah blah i'll also take some pics so you can see it too any more suggestions the rectifier i got was second hand but came off a good running bike. would it be worth getting a brand spanker?

[RedexRobB]

Well, you got it from falloffslowly so it should be ok. He doesnt sell dodgy parts. So just see how you go

[Dazzle]

Yeah i've had some bits off him before seems a very nice bloke. I charged my battery again last night and struck it up this morning and measured the voltage which was 14.7v so its charging ok. presumed the battery's duff so i bought another one today which i'm charging at the minute and will try tomorrow. Thanks for your help everyone hopefully it'll be sorted now.

[superman]

mine would struggle when it was warm, your best bet is to let it cool... that might help.... go out for a run so its hot, get home shut it off, try to start it right away and if it doesnt work try it again half hour later, if it starts then its the hot start problem and christ knows how you get around that...

[Dazzle]

Well just been out with my new battery on came back home and tried to fire her up again and the battery has plenty of life but now it won't start as i think its running a bit rich sooty exhaust and smells of fuel. Also when at about 5-6k revs and then accelerating it splutters a bit and then will pick up, would this be a mixture problem or too larger main jet in it has 102's but i have an aftermarket can. Thanks for everyones help so far i'm now loads happier.