VTR250 Electrical: startup acting wierd.

[ishtariche]

Hey guys,


First I would like to say I'm so glad I found these forums. I'm new to motorcycles and I'm always working on my '88 VTR250 and looking for help.

I've been having some odd problems with my bike starting up.
I rode it for 4 hours last saturday and then parked it for 3 days. When I tried to start it up next it wouldn't turn over; almost like the battery was dead, but high beams were bright and turn signals were fine.

When I pushed the ignition a strange noise would come from the battery area; a single muffled clack noise and then nothing happened.

I took my battery out and charged it fully, which only took 30-40 mins on a 12 volt 2 amp trickle charge, so I don't think the battery was completely dead.

After it was charged I installed it and tried to start the bike up. It made the same noise and failed to start. I held the started down for a full two seconds and it turned a couple times and started right up.

The bike is in good condition and I'm told the harness has been replaced and the old harness came with the bike when I bought it. I replaced the regulator myself and the battery is brand-new.

On a side note, it -did- rain. Could rain have gotten somewhere it doesn't belong? It's 20 years old.

[Sev]

Sounds like a dead or dieing battery to me. Are you sure it was charged correctly initially? Load test it, or get it load tested.

Failing that, check for corroded wires, or connections in the starting circuit, and check the solenoid for proper operation.