Topic: cb400f battery charging problem (with pictures of stupidity)

[matt400f]

Long story short, my battery died. Not knowing much about motorcycles (this is my first bike) I jumped the bike with a car. This must be what caused the sparking and melted/fried connection in the image below. Assuming the worst I did as any good, rushed, anxious citizen would: I ignored it. I charged my battery with a proper trickle charger and drove the bike around for a few weeks, wrapping the hideous scar with tons of electrical tape. Now it seems after a weekend of working on the bike, lots of idling, and cold mornings the battery died again, I'm assuming it is not charging and this is the reason why:



I checked my wiring diagram and it seems this would make sense, as this area has to do with the rectifier and starter/charging of the battery.. Anyone offer more insight - and more importantly does anyone have a parts bike that can replace these parts. Someone sell me some parts, I need to right my wrongs!

Thanks!
-Matt

[Spikeybike]

you could just use spade or bullet connectors from any auto parts store

[Shenanigans]

you could just use spade or bullet connectors from any auto parts store

Its not too complicated to either put new connectors on the ends which I think is your best bet, or as spikey said some spade or bullet connectors. You should also check over the rest of the charging wiring to make sure its ok.

Can someone explain to me exactly what jumpstarting from a car battery damages? I have seen conflicting reports on if its "ok" or not.

[matt400f]

Thanks a lot guys - I would love to keep things as stock and clean as possible, though I see your point(s).

I would also like to know if this is what caused the sparking/melting, as I want to make sure to never do it again!

[mattcb350f]

Can someone explain to me exactly what jumpstarting from a car battery damages? I have seen conflicting reports on if its "ok" or not.

Just a thought/opinion........But hooking up a car battery to the wee motorcycle battery might be like putting your motorcycle battery on full boost charge.

I think too many amps would flow into the cycle battery instantly, which might warp the plates etc....

I could be wrong, that might not be how electric current would flow from one to the other....Anyone else???

 Matt.

[Shenanigans]

Can someone explain to me exactly what jumpstarting from a car battery damages? I have seen conflicting reports on if its "ok" or not.

Just a thought/opinion........But hooking up a car battery to the wee motorcycle battery might be like putting your motorcycle battery on full boost charge.




I think too many amps would flow into the cycle battery instantly, which might warp the plates etc....

I could be wrong, that might not be how electric current would flow from one to the other....Anyone else???

 Matt.

I don't understand how, unless hooked up wrong, it would do damage. As long as its a 12 volt battery how would a high AH rated battery do any damage. The starting system is only taking what electricity it needs, right?


Edit: Was the car running when you jumped it?

[matt400f]

Yes - the car was running. I'm just damaged that the rectifier and/or alternator are damaged... more parts to replace!

[Shenanigans]

I am pretty sure you can safely jump a motorcycle as long as its battery to battery with the car NOT on. Good luck. That 400 looks in excellent shape.

[bryanj]

Its safe to jump as long as you dont have BOTH engines running at the same time with leads connected. Are you sure you had the leads the correct way round?

[scunny]

+1 on whats said before. jump starting is fine as long as the car is not running. my vote is you had the polarity reversed.
change your connection and test the rest.

[oldbiker]

I can't comment on American suppliers, but in the UK "Vehicle Wiring Products" can sell you new connectors blocks, spades and bullet connectors to the correct Japanese size.
UK phone number 0115 9305454
eMail  sales@vehicleproducts.co.uk

[KingCustomCycles.com]

That connector was likely melted before the jumping and was the reason you needed jumped.  Replace it with quality connectors or solder and heat shrink it.  It is a common weak point.

[matt400f]

I did not have the polarity reversed, but the car was running. Can anyone recommend the best kind of connectors to use (maybe with a link/photo)?

Thanks.

[333]

A good dealer can get you a connector kit.  Something you should invest in and replace other major connectors on the bike.  Corrosion causes resistance, resistance causes heat, heat melts connectors.  Jumping it from a running car can make all this happen in the amount of time it takes to get the bike started if the corrosion is there.  And considering the age of these bikes, it's more than likely there.

TwoTired and I have recently debated this until we were blue in the face.  No one on this forum knows more about electronics than TT.  My position is that theory and reality sometimes don't jive.  And this is a perfect example of just that.  Yes, corrosion played a big part in what probably happened.  But unless you have rebuilt every millimeter of your machine, you are going to have some corrosion on a bike that is approaching 40 years old.

[super pasty white guy]

A wide variety of connectors are available here
http://www.vintageconnections.com/

I've ordered from them and they're "Good Folks".

spwg

[matt400f]

It looks like i need to buy connectors for 2 gauge sizes:

1. the 3 yellow and 1 green wire - 14-18gauge?
2.The red/white wire - 10 gauge?

I'd like to go on my lunch break and pick up some parts (and don't have my bike at work)
Anyone know the correct sizes?

Thanks so much!

[fastbroshi]

I can attest to those white connector blocks' blades picking up corrosion.  When I was going through my harness I found quite a few blades that were turning colors.  Nothing a Dremel can't fix.