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Draeger
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« on: June 16, 2025, 10:05:09 AM » |
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Picked up my Valk this weekend and rode her home, 1100 km. Good to have the old girl back after all these years!
I had stopped at a small gas station and filled up. Bike started perfectly as normal. Rode it off the pump, stopped to go into the store. Came out and when I pushed the starter, I heard a POP and all the lights went out.
All fuses checked out fine. When I pushed my heated grip button, I noticed that it flickered just slightly, so somehow the battery had totally discharged in a moment.
Found a fella with jumper cables and had another biker jump start the bike ... I didn't want to have a car or truck do it because of the amperage overload... and the bike started right up.
I had a full tank of gas so rode all the way to a parts supply shop and got there a few minutes before they closed. Amazingly, they had a battery that fit the Valk perfectly! A nice on too, with 200 CCA and 14a/H. Two hundred bucks later... and off I was.
Seems to work fine now.
My question is ... what may have caused that?
I noticed there was not hold down strap on the battery. Some of the roads were bumpy, with whoops in them... is it possible the battery lifted out, touched the frame and flipped polarity?
Any insight appreciated!
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If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your opinion of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. ~ Marcus Aurelius
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Timbo1
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« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2025, 10:26:44 AM » |
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You can jump a bike with a car battery as long as the car isn't running your safe. The bike will only pull the amperage needed from the battery for the starter as long as it's 12vdc.
I'd suspect the battery blew opened one of the terminals. You could verify that with a DMM. If it's 0 vdc a terminal is open.
Since you heard the pop at the time of starting I suspect the amp draw of the starter created to much current for the battery to withstand in it's current condition. Age of battery, electrolyte level etc.. could be a contributor to the failure.
I'd doubt the battery bounced or hit the frame as you would see spark marks under the seat. But I'd suggest looking on ebay and picking up a battery cover and strap and secure it properly.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2025, 03:35:14 PM » |
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I've had that happen (long ago). That pop is likely the battery dying for good (if it's not a short somewhere). It may take a jump and run the bike, but likely will never start it again. $200 for a bike battery is robbery.  |
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Draeger
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« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2025, 05:39:03 PM » |
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I've had that happen (long ago). That pop is likely the battery dying for good (if it's not a short somewhere). It may take a jump and run the bike, but likely will never start it again. $200 for a bike battery is robbery. So glad to hear you say that. I honestly can't imagine a short anywhere - a fuse would have blown i think, or there would have been some other issue show up. If $200 solves the problem, that's well worth it to me! But, robbery, I agree. |
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If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your opinion of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. ~ Marcus Aurelius
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2025, 06:05:18 PM » |
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If $200 solves the problem, that's well worth it to me!
At 72, this has become my philosophy too. (Hundreds, not thousands.) Especially if I'm sitting on the side of the road.
My internist doctor (and the best I ever had, not that I've had or needed many in my whole lifetime) moved to a new "concierge practice," where you have to pay $3000 cash (no insurance or medicare) per year to belong (after that, your insurance kicks in). I suppose that's one way to weed out the riffraff and unwashed from your offices.
So now I'm looking for a new doctor. When I get around to it.
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ridingron
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« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2025, 06:53:56 PM » |
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I had a doctor that was doing that too. He ask me if I was interested in joining the new "group". My answer was I'd have to find out from my insurance how that worked. He left the practice before I could get back to him.
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indybobm
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« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2025, 07:12:47 AM » |
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A 'POP' can also be caused by corroded connections at the starter relay. Not the batter/starter cable but the red cap that plugs inti the top of the relay.
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So many roads, so little time
VRCC # 5258
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HayHauler
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« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2025, 06:48:35 AM » |
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A 'POP' can also be caused by corroded connections at the starter relay. Not the batter/starter cable but the red cap that plugs inti the top of the relay.
On my 06 Wing, I heard a POP and it was the corroded positive battery connection. I originally thought battery, but cleaned the connection and all was good. I guess the corrosion can be on any of the connections. Hay  Jimmyt |
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Draeger
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« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2025, 07:43:27 AM » |
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Really great info ^^^
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If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your opinion of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. ~ Marcus Aurelius
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