Dare I ask?

[Gnarlyroad]

My 83 750 magna was experiencing a dying battery. Just as I was getting ready to winter store it.. My battery charger(one of those automatic trickle chargers) says the battery is fully charged. Put it in the bike, powers up the lights, won't even click the starter. Can't seem to find any loose connections. Am wondering if somehow related to the battery draining power before I shut it down for the winter. Any ideas on where to start looking. Loose connections, fuses, help am trying to get out for a ride before I go nuts here. Lots of other people riding on any given sunny day. Me too, me too!

[sharpmagna]

Do you have a volt meter? Can you measure the voltage on your battery? Are you positive it is fully charged?

Do you have one of those portable jump start batteries? If so I'd try to hook it up and see if you can get the bike started that way.

Also are you trying to start the bike in neutral? My brother's 82 CB750F won't even click the starter unless bike is in neutral.

[Gnarlyroad]

As an add on I have taken apart the starter switch/run or off and found everything looking good. The strt switch looks good but when I press the switch my lights dim. Mymanual says possible the solinoid or the brushes( in I assume the starter motor). In a car when the solinoid goes it ussaully starts clicking first. . Is it the same for a bike. Will a voltage reading tell me if it is the brushes. All the connections I can see are clean and tight. All lights etc work and it appears to be in nuetral.

[BuzZz]

My guess is your battery has one or more dead cells. It will read 12volts, but the amperage is reduced. You need to have it tested with a load tester to be sure.

If it was mine, I wouldn't bother, I would replace it with no questions.

[Johnj]

Attach your meter leads to the battery. The meter reads 12 to 13 volts. Turn the key on, does the voltage drop to say 11 volts? Press the starter button, does the voltage drop below say 8 volts? If so you need a new battery.

[Gnarlyroad]

Thanks johnj. Seems I ned a new battery and your suggestion was just the sort of info I was looking for.