Author Topic: Ah yes, the kickstart....  (Read 1713 times)

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Offline 033A2

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Ah yes, the kickstart....
« on: September 14, 2009, 04:01:28 PM »
A little idiocy and impatience to share with a happy ending:

Parked my bike three days ago and didnt have a chance to get it out for a spin until yesterday.  Went to the garage, stuck in the key, and quickly realized I had turned the key to the far right, that funny little position that turns on the back taillight for whatever reason, and found the battery was completely drained.

I pulled out the battery charger and thought a quick shot of juice would do it, but an hour later it was still not charged enough to crank the starter.  Daylight was burning and I wanted to get out on a ride, so I used the kickstart to fire it up, thinking a nice ride would charge the battery the rest of the way.

An hour later I pulled into a gas station to top off the tank and at the same time a guy on on VTX 1800 trike pulled in as well.  We checked out each other's bike and we talked about my rebuild.  I actually know the guy who built his trike as well.  As we were preparing to leave, I hit the elec start and it had that long slow death-like turn over for about 3 seconds before it completely died.  The guy on the trike was looking over at me and without missing a beat I folded out the kickstart and with one swift kick it fired up.  He couldnt help but smile and commented, "You dont see those anymore...".    Almost brings tears to me eyes as I think about it...

Offline BVCB650

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2009, 04:03:51 PM »
Wish I had a kick start. Wonder why it isn't charging?
1979 CB650, 25K miles, recently refurbished

Offline 033A2

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2009, 04:09:28 PM »
When I got home I threw it back on the charger for a few hours and it fired right up after that.  It is now holding a charge.

Offline BVCB650

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2009, 04:11:57 PM »
So it's not your battery.  My bike charges, but I always plug it into a Batt Jr. just in case.
1979 CB650, 25K miles, recently refurbished

Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2009, 05:01:26 PM »
I've been on a few mass rides this summer.  Even though my battery is fine and my starter is in working order, I kickstarted it anyway... just to add a little badazzity!!
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
What do you have to do?
Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
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Sure.
Is it hard?
Not if you have the right attitudes. It’s having the right attitudes that’s hard.

Offline Celco

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2009, 05:05:36 PM »
First start of the day i usually bump start (I live on a slight hill) my 550 because it is easier, but after the bike is warmed up and I run into a store or to class I will kick start as well.  Main reason (other than being a bad ass) is that my starter relay is on its way out and doesn't like to work on a cold bike.

Offline 754

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2009, 09:24:28 PM »
I kick all the time ;D..

.. E start is for when I get really crippled up...
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline shizzomynizzo

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2009, 09:43:30 PM »
I kick all the time ;D..

.. E start is for when I get really crippled up...

same here! my button doesn't work, and im in no hurry to fix it!
1974 CB550
1985 XLX Last of the IH
2001 Street Glide

Offline magnum56

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2009, 09:54:35 AM »
When I got home I threw it back on the charger for a few hours and it fired right up after that.  It is now holding a charge.

The alternator in these bikes (and for that matter autos as well) are only designed to support the electrical drain normally caused by lights, horns, radios, etc.  In other words they are only designed to maintain a fully charged battery, NOT to charge up a dead battery.  (Many retail establishments make a good living showing folks how their "drained" battery is "bad" using a load tester).

You should ALWAYS use a battery charger to recharge a battery that has been drained for any reason.  Even if you suspect a charging problem, a fully charged battery is necessary before effectively testing the remaining components.

 
'74 CB750K

Offline BVCB650

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2009, 09:59:50 AM »
But if I have a 120 watt stator and the headlight only draws 50 watts, then it will charge it up over time, but I agree with you.
1979 CB650, 25K miles, recently refurbished

Mediconi

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2009, 12:27:33 PM »
Don't you also have to be over a certain number of RPMs to get any kind of charging going on too?

Offline BVCB650

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Re: Ah yes, the kickstart....
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2009, 12:33:50 PM »
Yes. Under 2K and it is about even stevens. Above that, charging happens. I figured since he went on a 1 hour long ride, it would have at least started when he parked it.
1979 CB650, 25K miles, recently refurbished