Topic: 1976 550cb - charging issue?

[jjc]

This is sounding like a bad battery.  Did you have it load tested?  Just checking the voltage is not sufficient

Yes I've stated it was tested.
I believe it read 260 during testing at the store

[jjc]

What's an admitter type ignition?  You say that a spinning disc breaks a beam. Sounds like Newtronics (Piranha). I've used one for 30 years. Does it kick start easily? You say the voltage at the battery rises as the rpm increases, does the headlight also get brighter? If it's just a starter motor problem, then as already suggested it sounds like a problem with the cable that goes to earth or the +ve cable that goes to the starter solenoid, or the starter solenoid itself.

You asked about the headlight getting brighter & it does.
BTY, I replaced the starter solenoid about 110 miles ago because it was sticking. That was about 10 miles previous to my last ride with issues of about 100 miles

[calj737]

Ya, it was dead after my ride
12.6 was after charging it

To be really specific, you state the battery was “dead” after your ride. Did you confirm that with a meter reading directly from the battery, or are you making that statement because after the ride the electric start would not excite the motor? Turning the key to ON, did you have any lights?

How did the bike start again later? Did you charge it or did it “recover” after sitting. All these particulars point to different issues so the more detail the better and easier to assist you.

[jjc]

OK, review -
Starter solenoid replaced recently. It was sticking
Battery test under load & is good
Battery is getting 14+ volts when engine is reved to 4-5k
Battery was dead after 100 mile ride
Battery is sealed lead acid
Headlight gets Brighter when reved
Battery charged up good over night

Bty - is their a better headlight rhan stock. Mine is stock.
Is there a better elect ignition

FYI - when my bike went dead & would not start on my ride, I forgot I could jick start ut so never tried

[jjc]

Ya, it was dead after my ride
12.6 was after charging it

To be really specific, you state the battery was “dead” after your ride. Did you confirm that with a meter reading directly from the battery, or are you making that statement because after the ride the electric start would not excite the motor? Turning the key to ON, did you have any lights?

How did the bike start again later? Did you charge it or did it “recover” after sitting. All these particulars point to different issues so the more detail the better and easier to assist you.

Checked battery when i got home then changed it over night to get the 12.6v.
You know I never looked at the light, just changed it at home

[jjc]

Since two different people have speculated on which electronic ignition system I have is there a way to ID it. I put it in 25 yrs ago and don't have paperwork

[jjc]

Since two different people have speculated on which electronic ignition system I have is there a way to ID it. I put it in 25 yrs ago and don't have paperwork

My error I miss stated my ignition system. Got it confused with another bike
This is what I have

[calj737]

Ya, it was dead after my ride
12.6 was after charging it

To be really specific, you state the battery was “dead” after your ride. Did you confirm that with a meter reading directly from the battery, or are you making that statement because after the ride the electric start would not excite the motor? Turning the key to ON, did you have any lights?

How did the bike start again later? Did you charge it or did it “recover” after sitting. All these particulars point to different issues so the more detail the better and easier to assist you.

Checked battery when i got home then changed it over night to get the 12.6v.
You know I never looked at the light, just changed it at home

If your charging system is sending 14+ volts to the battery while riding, your issue is at the battery. If it recovers after charging, and supports the bike while riding, I’d still suspect a loose connection somewhere, but would not hesitate to swap the battery and repeat these tests.

The battery ground connections to the frame need a clean, bare metal surface at the frame AND motor to be reliable. And the connections all need to be quite tight.

[Deltarider]

I still wonder what type the sealed battery is: gel or AGM? AGM is fine, gel batteries in general don't like voltages over 14,3.