Topic: 1972 CB500 hasnt ran in 15 years...

[samIam]

Its back on the charger now.  Its brand new, fluid levels look good.  2 amps for 1.5 hours.

[TwoTired]

Watch the voltage.  2 amps is a bit hot for the little 12AH battery.  It really shouldn't climb past 14.5-15V. at the battery terminals.  When it does, disconnect from charger and bike from the battery immediately, wait 2 hours and measure the battery terminals again.  You are looking for a 12.6-12.8V rested full charge reading on a healthy battery, when it bleeds off it's surcharge.

New is expected good, but they have a warranty for a reason.

[samIam]

So I just went and checked it and it reads 12.36.  Its been done for only 20 minutes, not hot or even warm.  I'll take another reading about an hour from now.  The book that came with the battery said I should charge to 12.37.  Should I charge to 12.7 like the chart posted or should I do the charging system test again?

[TwoTired]

State battery brand and model.
State charger brand and model.

The chart refers to a wet cell lead acid battery which is standard for the bike.  Most vehicle charging systems will charge this type battery to 14.5V, and then reduce current to maintain that voltage.

A fully charged wet cell will remain at 2.1 V/cell until self discharge begins (3-4 days).

[samIam]

The battery is an Energizer 12A-A.  The charger is a Schumacher Electric charger.  Sams Club link to charger...
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=195257&navAction=

Just checked voltage again while getting charger brand info, off for about an hour...12.33

[samIam]

So I went back and did another charging test with the battery at 12.30 with the key off.  I started and ran the RPMs up and it went well over 13V and climbing.  I think that was the problem.  Seems to idle well also.  Now I can focus my attention back to the clutch.  Thanks again TwoTired, you have been vital to this bike's future...

Quick question...what is the second flick on the ignition for?  Seems to be another off.

[TwoTired]

Quick question...what is the second flick on the ignition for?  Seems to be another off.

I should light only the rear run lamp (inside the stop light).  It's a park position.
Yes, I have used it for an "off" and came back to bike with a drained battery. 

[samIam]

Okay, thanks.  Took the clutch lifter mechanism apart under the left cover and saw how it works now, nifty and simply little setup.  Put it back together and adjusted it and I think it works better then ever now, clutch lever feels real good.  I'm gonna ride it to work today and see how it goes. 

[samIam]

A little update, bike has been running poorly.  Idles all over the place, cuts off after about 5 minutes of driving and the rust in the tank keeps clogging the petcock.  I took the carbs back off to find one gunked up again.  The JBWeld I used to seal the cracks in the stand pipes came off and plugged one carb.  Also saw that I didnt clean the slow jets good enough, I could blow through one but the others were clogged.  Everything is cleaned again but I'm not having fun getting these float bowl gaskets back on.  I used vinegar for cleaning the tank but rust continues to come free and clog the petcock, I've cleaned it twice now.  For anybody else thats trying to get an old bike running again, coat the tank. 

On another note, I got some blinkers(can I use just about any two prong flasher?), seat, horn, tach drive gear, regulator and other bits the bike needed.