Old Bike Battery

[blackdogsong]

I'm new here so hello to everyone!

I have limited experience working on my own bike so please bear with me...

I recently bought an 89 suzuki katana 750 and the guy who owned it before apparently maintained it "well," but nonetheless, it sat in his garage for a while, probably killing the battery and carbs.

It worked fine for this past week, but this morning, I turn the ignition and nothing. No lights, the ignition wouldn't do anything, nothing.

I was wondering if I should just replace the battery or try to mess with the wiring(something i'm quite wary about)

[themeatmanlandry]

I'm having the same problem with a wrecked bike I've been ignoring.

I plan to remove the battery and give it a good charge, then re-install it and [crosses fingers] give it a try.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by blackdogsong

I was wondering if I should just replace the battery or try to mess with the wiring(something i'm quite wary about)

You probably should do both.

First, remove the battery and charge it good.........like 10 hours with a 4 amp or less charger. While it is out, check and clean the cable ends that connect to the battery. Check and tighten/clean (if needed) the OTHER end of those same cables.

At that point, I'm guessing it will start again once or twice and then fail again......at which point, you need a new battery.......which needs to be fully charged before being installed.

If it fails again in a few days, you need to get it to a shop to check the charging circuit.

P.S. Until you get it fixed, the start and end point of your rides should be "home", without shutting it off in between. Don't ask how I know that!

[blackdogsong]

Thanks for the response, but why would I charge an old battery if it will just fail soon after?
So if the new battery fails, I need to get the charging circuit checked?
Also, if I'm riding to work and leaving it for 10 hours, shouldn't I turn off the engine so as not to waste gas?

Anyways, I definitely appreciate the advice so thanks

[650Doug]

No, he wasn't referring to leaving it running for 10 hours. He probably meant if you take it for short rides, and run in and out somewhere. Obviously, anything more than a few minutes is a bad idea, if you have to ride the thing until you get it fixed.

You basically have two choices with the battery. Make sure its full, if it's not a sealed battery, and then put a good long charge on it, as has been suggested. Or if you don't like that idea, then bite the bullet and buy a new one.

On a budget you say? Most automotive "supermarket" stores sell bike battery's for right around $20 and then up from there. That would get you on the road right now, if thats the problem.

BTW, these battery's come with the "water", and you need to fill it before using it. Ideally, after filling, you'd charge it first, but you can skip that if you really NEED too.

While your considering all this, check all the wires, and connections on the bike, starting at the battery.

You can get your existing battery "load" tested, and this will tell you what kind of shape it's in, and give you an idea of what to do next.

And BTW, welcome!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by blackdogsong

Thanks for the response, but why would I charge an old battery if it will just fail soon after?
So if the new battery fails, I need to get the charging circuit checked?
Also, if I'm riding to work and leaving it for 10 hours, shouldn't I turn off the engine so as not to waste gas?

OK, I didn't explain clearly enough. Let's try again.

The suggestion to charge the old battery had TWO parts. It included checking the connections to the battery. You charge the battery because it is obviously low right now. You check and clean the cable connections because that might be the REAL cause of the problem.
We OK on that part now?

Yes, if you get a new battery, fully charge it and then it fails within a few days, it is fair to assume that the charging system is not working OR there is a "key off drain" somewhere (which is rare).

The other point I was trying feebly to convey is that when you are having battery problems, it is likely that you will be stranded away from home with a dead battery. If you don't have an easy way to deal with that, then you probably should not ride it very far from home, like to work, where you NEED to shut it off.

[CheapBike]

I used to have to replace my battery every spring regardless where I stored it.

Were it me, I'd just clean the battery terms and buy a new one. If the bike dies with a new battery it can be recharged to life and you can address the reason the thing's not charging. A fresh battery is always good, I'm not at all fond of pushing motorcycles.

Batteries just die over time, if you want to avoid your new battery dying over the winter take it inside, I hear that works, wouldn't know myself.

Now losing power is a concern at high speeds but I've never had an issue with a bike not making enough spark to keep running unlike some cars I've owned where if the power dies engine running and rolling you're gonna have to pull over and call a tow truck.