Author Topic: 76 CB550 - Only one good start attempt (Read 1631 times)

FIREBLADE74 · « **on:** April 21, 2022, 04:53:46 PM »

I have a fully charged battery but when I go to start it the first start is strong but if it doesn't start the second start is significantly weak and eventually gives you the starter clicking sound.

Before I start throwing money at this what do you guys think could be the issue?

I can't get it started to test the charging system. I'm at a loss right now any help would be appreciated.

My carbs are spotless!!

Thanks!

ekpent · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2022, 05:04:09 PM »

Still sounds like the battery does not have enough 'amps' to do the job. How old is it and what type,lead acid or something else.

FIREBLADE74 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2022, 05:07:23 PM »

Thanks bro! I kinda thought that was the issue.

Its a sealed BS battery from o'reillys lol.

Can you recommend a good battery?

TwoTired · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2022, 06:06:42 PM »

Besides a weak battery (most common). I did have a 550 starter motor wear out its bearings. This allowed the armature to contact rub the frame, drawing WAY more amps than the battery could deliver. Even good batteries wouldn't start the bike with E. Kick start was fine though.

Anyway, You can't properly troubleshoot the charging system without a known good fully charged battery. I happen to favor the Yuasa brand, But, have used other flooded cell batteries with success. The others just don't seem to last as long.

Cheers,

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2022, 06:22:57 PM »

Kick start it…?

If your battery is weak or your starter is pulling
over max cranking amps, there may not be enough voltage
left for good ignition..

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2022, 07:19:16 AM »

+1...sounds like a battery on it's last leg. How old is it? I like the Scorpion AGM batteries...

https://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYTX14-BS.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpImTBhCmARIsAKr58cwM6lkQPllkSNIOlghlc-Ame1cajPIfYizHryVEnNpjI8BUm06-VrEaAv53EALw_wcB

Deltarider · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2022, 07:33:31 AM »

Made in China. No, thanks.

FIREBLADE74 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2022, 08:56:19 AM »

Thanks fellas.

I’m terrible at trying to kick it over.

Gonna look at getting Yuasa battery.

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2022, 09:11:15 AM »

Quote from: Deltarider on April 22, 2022, 07:33:31 AM

Made in China. No, thanks.

What do you have? Yuasa??

FYI:

1993 – Tianjin Yuasa Batteries Co., Ltd. established, the first motorcycle battery manufacturing and sales affiliate in China
1996 – Guangdong Yuasa Sunny Batteries established, the first industrial battery manufacturing and sales affiliate in China (Yuasa Battery (Guangdong) Co., Ltd, at present)

https://www.yuasa.co.uk/company/history/yuasa-battery-corporation/

I dont typically buy china products but sometimes there is no way around it.

Deltarider · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2022, 12:58:00 PM »

My Yuasa is made in Taiwan, which is definitely NOT China and, BTW, some Yuasa are made in U.S.A...

robvangulik · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2022, 03:22:28 PM »

Actually, Taiwan is the real China.

Johnie · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2022, 07:20:42 PM »

Agreed...start with a fresh AGM battery. Sometimes you have to do the "process of elimination" route to solve the issue.

Deltarider · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2022, 10:58:56 PM »

Louis is by far the biggest company for bike stuff in Europe. They state in their site that the AGM batteries (various brands) they trade, are safe up to 14,35V charging. Most SOHC Four models see higher voltages at times. So you can risk it or could replace a known well working OEM regulator that even adjusts to ambient temperature, by a generic one, that you know little about, lets you guess which wires go where, etc. The conventional battery is tailor made (terminals!) and is impossible to install the wrong way. For me the choice was easy. Peace of mind above all.

dave500 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2022, 11:33:39 PM »

Quote from: FIREBLADE74 on April 22, 2022, 08:56:19 AM

Thanks fellas.

I’m terrible at trying to kick it over.

Gonna look at getting Yuasa battery.

What?these fours are easy to kick?if my 550 is hot and been running ive shown guys i can start it with my right arm!sounds like your battery is finished,ive always had a great run from motobatt agm.

Deltarider · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2022, 04:06:43 AM »

The Motobatt is 3x the price, I've paid for my Yuasa's. After consulting the Motobatt site, I've learned you need a new (Motobatt) charger to get the most out of it, > extra costs. You'll need extra adapters to connect and then concentrate well to not make an error, fatal to your rectifier.
Yes, I know, conventional batteries, towards the end of their life, may need some distilled water. Oh, boy, remember those dark ages? How did we ever cope with that?!
Extra CCA is the last thing you need. If your bike doesn't start within 7 seconds, you'd better look for the cause, as there will be one.

BomberMann650 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2022, 12:04:56 PM »

I must be growing numb to the sticker shock. In the US a motobatt isn't any more or less than similarly competitive products. My parts guy never expressed a need for a proprietary charger either.

dave500 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2022, 02:17:32 PM »

i got 7 years out of my last motobatt,it went into a bike i sold still starting it but starting to get feeble.

Deltarider · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2022, 12:43:01 AM »

All my Yuasa's and even a cheap Saito, sold by Louis, lasted 6 years. 7th year was kickstart only.

dave500 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2022, 02:54:12 AM »

yeah but your bike was personally blessed by soichiro himself,it has the power to repair itself and in fact never wear out!

Deltarider · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2022, 04:35:21 AM »

That's about the xxste time. You're getting old, mate. I'm trying to help by sharing my experiences. What I don't do, is parrot others 'popular' remarks, when I do not share that particular experience. Anything against that?
My bike has done so many miles, that I'll soon have to replace the camchain and tensioner for the 3^rd time. That's number 4 in total! How many times did you have to replace them, on one bike? Also the kickshaft splines on mine are worn.
Oh, and another thing I don't do, is cheat insurance companies. Is that Ok with you?

FIREBLADE74 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2022, 07:29:18 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on April 22, 2022, 11:33:39 PM

Quote from: FIREBLADE74 on April 22, 2022, 08:56:19 AM
Thanks fellas.

I’m terrible at trying to kick it over.

Gonna look at getting Yuasa battery.

What?these fours are easy to kick?if my 550 is hot and been running ive shown guys i can start it with my right arm!sounds like your battery is finished,ive always had a great run from motobatt agm.

#$%*ty battery, timing off, pods last ran in 2018. No way it’ll start from kicking 😄

dave500 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2022, 12:36:15 PM »

once you do get it all sorted and running give it a go,youll be surprised.

FIREBLADE74 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 01, 2022, 04:59:20 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on April 26, 2022, 12:36:15 PM

once you do get it all sorted and running give it a go,youll be surprised.

Once warmed up it’ll start one kick but from a cold start no way.

I have my lossa muffler coming so it may be easier to kick with less exhaust restrictions.

jonda500 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2022, 06:38:35 PM »

for an instant start (when the engine is stone cold) try kicking it over a few times with the choke on and the throttle held wide open before turning on the ignition and starting as usual (with no throttle until it starts)
John

Deltarider · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2022, 08:14:25 AM »

Quote from: jonda500 on May 09, 2022, 06:38:35 PM

for an instant start (when the engine is stone cold) try kicking it over a few times with the choke on and the throttle held wide open before turning on the ignition and starting as usual (with no throttle until it starts)
John

This ^ is also practised by me. Moreover Honda in the Owner's Manual suggests this in: STARTING IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER.

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Author Topic: 76 CB550 - Only one good start attempt (Read 1631 times)