Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Ok I have a $500 meter, a $300 clamp on amp meter that reads volts dc/ac, and a $50 meter. all 3 when I check the battery without the bike running read 13.5 volts. With the bike running it reads 14.5 volts. What, besides a bad battery, could cause this? mine you this is the bike my wife dropped but she didnt drop it on the side with the stator motor nor the rectifier. Since she dropped it I have to jump the bike EVERYTIME I try to start it. I went to a friends house and stayed for about 4 hours and again had to jump the bike. I am thinking its just the battery but not sure as I have never seen a reading of 13.5 volts on a battery without a "load". Any ideas?

If the battery reads 13V but can't crank over the motor, the battery is toast.

Thats what I was "guessing" but didnt want to assume. Tomarrow I will prob pull the battery out and take it to Autozone and ask them to put it on the battery tester to see if its a good/bad battery. Then prob trash it and put the bike up until after my cruise next year lol.

The thing to do is try to start the bike with the meter connected to the battery. How low does the voltage go while cranking, or tying to crank?

Johnj wrote:The thing to do is try to start the bike with the meter connected to the battery. How low does the voltage go while cranking, or tying to crank?

k never thought of that. Ill try that here shortly as I am about to go out and remove the battery and get the bike ready for winter which means I have to try and start the bike lol.

K checked the battery and its now reading 10.5 volts after sitting all night. When I try to start the bike it drops down to 8.5 volts.

Yup, unfortunately for you the battery is toasted. Oh well, time for a new one in the Spring!

You might be able to recharge it. Fill all the cells to the upper line with distilled water. Hook up a trickle charger and let it sit for a couple days.

I said it might work.

Johnj wrote:
I said it might work.

Don't hold your breath.

With car batteries, I don't mess around. I will replace it the moment it starts acting sketchy as I don't want to get stranded. With bikes, since it is so easy to bump start it, I sometimes tend to push my luck with it.

yeah im just gonna charge it enough so that I can start it and run the gas out of the engine/carbs . Then in the spring ill go buy a new one.