Topic: Bike ran great in rain, but now won't start??

[bookjockey]

Last night I got caught in the rain coming home from work and drove about 10 miles in a light downpour. The bike ran great the entire time... everything as usual. I should mention I have a '77 550k.

So this morning I go to start it up and, obviously, it won't start. When I hit the starter button I can hear the battery supplying the power. It makes kind of a ratcheting-clicking sound. And the battery is only a month old so I really don't think that's the problem. Then, when i try and kickstart it I can feel the resistance but no go. So I'm thinking there's no spark... Spark plugs are 2 weeks old too. I checked the wires and the connections around the seat and under the speedo and tach and nothing looks out of the ordinary. Can you guys give me some stuff to look for?

Also, the drain hole in my gas tank works fine. There's no water sitting in it.

And am I doing damage by constantly trying to kickstart it? I smelled a bit of gas after the 10th or so time.

Thanks for your help.

[TwoTired]

Sounds like a dead battery to me.
I don't care if it is new.  If you remove more power from it than the charging system puts in, it runs out of energy.

Using the kick starter won't hurt the bike.  But, continually running the battery down won't help IT much at all.

You could try removing the headlight fuse for it to kick start.  This should raise the system voltage a little.  Maybe enough to get the spark plug to fire.

It would be most telling to put a voltmeter across the battery terminals to see its charge state.  But, I think you may need a battery charger to get going again.

Cheers,

[bookjockey]

Which one is the headlight fuse?

I should also mention that I tried to get it moving at a good pace in second gear then let the clutch go hoping it would jump start the engine but no love.

When I get home I'll try and jump start it with my parent's car. Thanks TwoTired and anyone else who gives their opinion.

[TwoTired]

Which one is the headlight fuse?

The one that is labeled "Head" next to it.  ...But, I'm just guessing.

I should also mention that I tried to get it moving at a good pace in second gear then let the clutch go hoping it would jump start the engine but no love.

When I get home I'll try and jump start it with my parent's car. Thanks TwoTired and anyone else who gives their opinion.

If the battery is weak and the head light on there won't be enough voltage to spark the plugs.  ...But, maybe if you got up 20 MPH or so...

Jump with a car is fine.  But, if you EVER reverse the lead polarity, even for an instant, you're going to be replacing parts.

Cheers,

[bookjockey]

I just realized that I had my High Beam turned on since I rode last... so I guess that falls in line with the "battery dead, not enough power, blah blah blah." Thanks

[TwoTired]

That's what I'm here for...

blah...blah...blah

Cheers,

[bookjockey]

Pardon my bringing this boring topic back to the top, but since I feel like resolutions are little reported on this forum I thought I'd do my part.

Thanks to TwoTired... you were right. I guess the battery was drained. Some cash and a few hours later and the bike is running strong.

I will say that I thought I'd done some permanent damage when I pulled out after installing the new battery because the bike was ridiculously sluggish, but once I hit 6000 rpm the engine must have cleared itself and all is well.

One last question: The one copper circular ring that connects the wire to the positive of the battery is broken so it's an incomplete ring. When I was on a ride tonight it slid out and the bike (obviously) lost power. Should I replace this? What's this part called? (I can take a picture tomorrow if need be) Am I OK to just tighten it up considerably? Thanks all.

[mrbreeze]

Pardon my bringing this boring topic back to the top, but since I feel like resolutions are little reported on this forum I thought I'd do my part.

Thanks to TwoTired... you were right. I guess the battery was drained. Some cash and a few hours later and the bike is running strong.

I will say that I thought I'd done some permanent damage when I pulled out after installing the new battery because the bike was ridiculously sluggish, but once I hit 6000 rpm the engine must have cleared itself and all is well.

One last question: The one copper circular ring that connects the wire to the positive of the battery is broken so it's an incomplete ring. When I was on a ride tonight it slid out and the bike (obviously) lost power. Should I replace this? What's this part called? (I can take a picture tomorrow if need be) Am I OK to just tighten it up considerably? Thanks all.

Get 2 things.....a new eye connecter or even a whole new wire to replace the bad one. The other thing......buy a battery tender.Its a must have item if you own any motorcyle.

[TwoTired]

Two things.
1.  Are you saying you repleaced a discharged battery with a new one to correct the issue.?
If so, beware, as you may have a charging problem.  A good depleted battery can simply be recharged.  It doesn't neccessarilly have to be replaced.  If you DO have a charging issue, you can expect your new battery to deplete, as well.

2. You will certainly need good cables to connect the battery to bike power distribution.

Cheers,

[mrbreeze]

Hey Lloyd,if you reread the title of this post.....ran in the rain...won't restart..... that set off some flags for me.  Water in the air filters....water in the points cover. Won't start or won't crank over?...sometimes,you have to ask when people say it won't start.

[TwoTired]

Hey Lloyd,if you reread the title of this post.....ran in the rain...won't restart..... that set off some flags for me.  Water in the air filters....water in the points cover. Won't start or won't crank over?...sometimes,you have to ask when people say it won't start.

Hey Fred, if you read is original post...

When I hit the starter button I can hear the battery supplying the power. It makes kind of a ratcheting-clicking sound.

This just said dead battery to me.  Not enough juice to keep the solenoid engaged. Batteries can still go dead before, during, or after a rainstorm.

Weak batteries tend to foul plugs, especially when sooty, and during high humidity.  I expect his after-new-battery run up, probably cleared his plugs.  It remains to be seen if his charging sysem needs work, or he just spend too much of his run time below 2000 RPM, which gradually drains the battery.

Cheers,
 

[mrbreeze]

Right you are Lloyd!!!! You have to wrap that motor up to let it charge. Thats why I say get a battery tender if you only ride a couple of blocks every few months or so.You have to have a good battery to start with and if it don't show charging voltage when reving to at least 2K,you probably have a charging problem.