battery question

[pauliep]

how bad is a bike battery that reads at 11.33v? i'm charging it in hopes of not having to buy a new one? recoverable?

[Suki]

you should buy a new one, and then give it to me and i'll give you my old one! :D the gsxr started right up!

[pauliep]

The last thing you gave me fucked me all up (rum&coke at new years party) so I'm a little hesitant

[Lurch]

As long as it's holding a charge and starts the bike you should be OK. Start the bike and check voltage if it's not higher then the battery then you have other issues.

Lurch

[pauliep]

I'll try that, thanks

[The GECCO]

^^^
what he said

with the ignition and everything turned off, the battery should read somewhere in the range of 11-12.5 volts. keep in mind that you are measuring only voltage, not available amperage.

then turn the key on so the headlights come on and measure it again, the voltage should stay pretty much the same and not drop off. if it drops off rapidly then you have a lack of available amperage.

then start the motor and hold the rpms steady around 4k, the meter should read somewhere between 13.5 and 14.5

as long as the running voltage is in the 13.5-14.5 range your charging system is probably OK and the battery simply needs to be replaced. if the voltage doesn't rise when the motor is running, the battery is most likely dead because it isn't getting charged.

[pauliep]

great info Gecco. Big ups yourself.

[pauliep]

had the battery tested this morning with the response "replace battery"
it had less of a charge then it did before chargeing it, lol

[Sully]

Your sissy sea level bike just can't handle this cold weather ! :p

[pauliep]

where's the nearest place that has batteries for good prices?

[DevilsTonic]

for OEM, you could go to Performance Cycle, TK Motosports may even have some...other than that you can get a knock off brand from batteriesplus.com they have local retailers as well.

I only know because I went through the same thing a week ago. :D

[Sortarican]

where's the nearest place that has batteries for good prices?

Batteries Plus is usually inexpensive and has most common applications.
Go to Harbor Freight and get a battery tender for about $6-$8.

[pauliep]

Batteries Plus is usually inexpensive and has most common applications.
Go to Harbor Freight and get a battery tender for about $6-$8.

Performance Cycle had the bikemaster for 55 and the Yuasa for 65. Pretty good prices from what I've researched so far

[Sully]

There is a Honda shop near Alameda and I-225.. and Excel Motorsports on Colfax near Quebec... not sure how much they are tho.. but they are significantly closer to you..

[sprtbkbabe]

There is a Honda shop near Alameda and I-225.. but they are significantly closer to you..

Yeah, on Potomac, north side of Alameda.


You can also see if a carQuest is nearby, they may have bike batterys

[pauliep]

got a bikemaster from Excel

[pauliep]

so my new battery was sitting in the car all day. should I let it cool off before pouring the acid in it? I read that you should charge frozen batteries.

[The GECCO]

Did I read that right? Never charge a frozen battery!!

If you have any doubts, put it inside overnight, then follow the manufacturers instructions for prepping it and the initial charge.