Please help GTR won't start

[stoketim]

My bike won't start and i leave for Germany this week. Is it just the battery the dash display say battery 9.5 ? Had it out last weekend, I have put tickle charger on  will it start in the morning ?

[shaggs147]

Hi stoke tim, if you have a multimeter check to see if the battery is charging after you manage to get it started. You might have a dodgy battery, something is draining it when parked up, or its not being charged by the bike. If you do not have a meter then check the readout on the dash. check the voltage after you charge the battery, then again after you start the bike. leave the bike running for about half an hour and keep an eye on the voltage - I say this because on my last bike I had a similar problem and it ended up being the rectifier breaking down when it got hot. Hopefully at worst its just a knackered battery mate.

[stoketim]

Will do shaggs

[BigAlan]

I have a cheap multi meter I use for all sorts of stuff, measuring the voltage on,your battery is easy enough once the cover is off.

From memory a fully charged battery when the bike is running at tickover should read 13.5v and when measuring just the battery at standstill 12.7 would be good.

If you get less then perhaps the battery is faulty.

Alan

[Debs]

My bike wont start if its below 11.3v.. Its going to be either a knackered battery or somethings draining it when not running..

I also bought one of those cheap multi meters off ebay for £5 and been surprised how much I have used it when fitting extras, like finding the indicator wires at the rear.. 

[O.C.]

when you say your bike  won't start, I'm guessing that the battery is simply not kicking the bike over fast enough

If thats the case I would suggest that you invest in a nnew battery, especially if you are setting off to Germany on  the bike

How old is the current (no pun intended) battery, they do eventually cry 'enough' ya know   

[Ubertours]

Check the battery earth lead to the frame is clean and tight, I had a similar problem with the battery not charging fully.

[stoketim]

panic over, new batttery fitted ,jobs a good'un
a BIG THANKYOU every one that helped   

[routemaster]

Glad you got it sorted but I would still check the earthing and make sure there isn't anything draining the battery

Kind regards

Steve