Time for a new starter?

Message

twh270 · #1 Unread post by **twh270** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:54 am

I let my bike sit in the garage for several months. Surprisingly the battery was still okay when I finally got around to putting key in ignition, but I wore it out trying to start it. So it sat a few more weeks until I could borrow a trickle charger and hook it up for a few days. When I hit the start button, all I get is "click-click-click-click-click". If I set the charger to quick-start there's no difference.

So I'm guessing I need a new starter, that my attempts to start it before the battery died wore it out. Am I right? If not what else could it be?

Thanks....

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:00 pm

Bad Gas, Drained Battery.

That click click click the starter solenoid trying but not engaging.

twh270 · #3 Unread post by **twh270** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:08 am

If it's a drained battery why did I get the same result even with the charger set to quick-start instead of trickle? Not questioning your diagnosis, just want to know why.

Do I need a new starter solenoid, or new battery?

Thanks.

Johnj · #4 Unread post by **Johnj** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:10 am

The old battery is causing the problem.

crazypj · #5 Unread post by **crazypj** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:05 pm

Depends on the bike but most need at least 70~80 amps current draw, plus, voltage must not drop below 10V for ignition/fuel pumps etc to work.
Its probably the battery.
Almost all will start to sulphate if left discharged for more than 30 days. You may be showing a surface charge but it doesn't have any amperage.
If you have a volt meter (about $3.99, Harbor Freight Tools) check what voltage you get when you hit the starter button (probably 6v or less)
PJ