Hi all, went for a blast last night to Southport but had a few starting problems!
I have an Optimate charger, so put battery on overnight beforehand.
The bike (1991 851 DS) has an alarm fitted which does drain the battery if left too long
between charges.
Anyway, it started up fine at my house and again at my mate's who lives 2 miles away.
Half way to Southport, after about 10 miles, we stopped for fuel.
Afterward I thumbed the starter and it wouldn't start.
The solenoid was clicking and the starter motor was turning very slowly, like the battery was flat.
A minute later I tried again. It turned over very slow again but caught and fired up.
We continued on the journey, I'm thinking the battery is draining so I tried the horn and lights
as we rode along and they were fine. The engine never missed a beat either.
We stopped on the front at Southport and left the bikes for about 30 mins while we had a brew
and a think! I tried the horn and lights again before attempting to start and they were fine.
Pressed the starter and nothing, just solenoid clicking away.
Luckily I had parked near a ramp so bumpstarted the beast no problem, much to the amusement
of everyone watching!
We decided to head straight home as I didn't want to be stuck out there with no lights etc.
I parked bike up outside my local pub (top of the hill) and had a drink and another think.
After an hour I tried the starter and it caught straight away and fired up.
I live 2 mins away and when I got home it wouldn't start again, same as before.
I have just charged the battery again and it started first time again.
I took some voltage readings across the battery. 12.2 Volts at idle, 13.9V at 3000 revs (lights on)
12.5 Volts and 14.2 Volts (lights off). Battery is a year old, and levels are ok etc.
I suspect a starter motor fault? Any ideas please?
Thanks Mike.