Battery Question

[Murrgh]

Excuse this question, but I it's been so cold that I haven't had a chance to go outside and look at my bike since I bought it.

Where is the battery on the 1998 Valk? I believe I read it was under the seat, which brings me to my next question or two.

1. I can turn the key for my seat lock, but it doesn't unlock the seat to remove it.
2. I tried to start the Valk tonight to show my fiancé, but the second I hit the starter, the headlight shut off and she wouldn't turn over. I'm just assuming the battery is dead due to the cold.
3. I ran an Optima Yellow-top in my CR-Z because everyone raved about them. Is there a similar battery/battery style that y'all recommend?

What are my options?

Thanks in advance!


(I searched '1500 Battery' and didn't seem to find any relevant threads, sorry if I didn't search thorough enough)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I haven't seen the Optima in the Valkyrie sized battery. (But there may be one) I've just been running the gel maintainence free batteries. The latest batteries that some here are using are the lithium ones.

[Bighead]

You will have to remove the side covers and get in there to release the seat there is a cable that goes from that keyed switch to the seat release. I would take a look at the switches they sometimes get dirty and will do just what you describe. Light on hit the switch and nothin.  Not nessasarly the battery dead.

[WintrSol]

When I turn the key in the seat lock, I have to press down on the front of the seat to get the lock to release; I have a Corbin leather seat, if that matters.

[John Schmidt]

When you pull the side covers, don't pull straight out 'cuz something will break. Pull the back end out first and swing it outward slightly, then release the front tab that hooks into the center panel where the seat key is located. The front tab has a slight hook in it and hooks into a loop, if pulled straight out you run a good chance of snapping one or both parts of the front tab. Once off the bike, you'll see what I mean, just don't use the gorilla touch.  

[Jess from VA]

Sometimes you need to push down hard on the seat, to get the key to turn and release the lock (do Not break/or bend the key).

You can actually sit on it (or get someone else to do it), while reaching under with the key.  Listen for a click.

You might also spray a bit of lube in there with the long thin nozzle.

Otherwise, you'll have to get in there and work on it.

I seem to remember someone writing up how they reached in there with long needle nose (or something) rather than having to pull that PITA center cover.

I've have had great service from the OE Yuasa batteries. 

[sandy]

Go to the "shop talk" link and find the starter button maintenance link. It's not third but can cause exactly what you describe. Test voltage on the battery. There's a condition where the bike will turn over but the cranking voltage falls below 9.6 VDC. The coils need that VDC to fire.

[cookiedough]

could be starter switch issue needing disassembly and cleaning, had that once in the last 8 years is all.

test voltage of battery and if say 12.3 volts and under time for a new battery.  12.5 volts and above, to me anyways, is still considered good usually.  I just get my battery from amazon.com being a Yuasa brand around that 65-70 dollar range and usually last 4-5 years tops.

[Bighead]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

[Murrgh]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

Don't worry about Bighead's "mime" (or his mind). Ask away. If anybody is put off by the question, they aren't required to answer. 

[Houdini]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

He wasn't talking to you Murrgh, he was talking to the people that were posting the same information someone else had already posted earlier in this thread.

Example, first thing I thought of was push down on the nose of the seat to release the lock, but no need to mention it as it had already been brought up a few times.

[Jess from VA]

Another thing that happens often is that while A is typing away and thinking about his post, B hammers out the same info and hits send.  After A posts, if he goes back and looks, he sees that B beat him to it.

But yes, especially in long threads, sometimes the same (or very similar) advice is posted, hours or even days later.

On balance, it's not such a big deal, and it's good to have an active forum.

[Gideon]

Jess, you are correct.
#1. It is good to have an active forum.
#2. Barry (Bighead) is a good guy.
#3. I also push down on the front/nose of my Corbin Leather Seat. 

[Bighead]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

He wasn't talking to you Murrgh, he was talking to the people that were posting the same information someone else had already posted earlier in this thread.

Example, first thing I thought of was push down on the nose of the seat to release the lock, but no need to mention it as it had already been brought up a few times.

Exactly Houdini... just wonder why the same answers get posted over and over. Even meatheat should have picked up on that. Wasnt saying anything about the OPs question.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

He wasn't talking to you Murrgh, he was talking to the people that were posting the same information someone else had already posted earlier in this thread.

Example, first thing I thought of was push down on the nose of the seat to release the lock, but no need to mention it as it had already been brought up a few times.

Exactly Houdini... just wonder why the same answers get posted over and over. Even meatheat should have picked up on that. Wasnt saying anything about the OPs question.

I like it ! I think I'm going to change my handle. 

[Bighead]

You should.

[Murrgh]

Does ANYONE here read the posts that other members post before they post the same info? Not trying to start a squabble but I see it several times a day.....inquiring mimes want to know.

Actually, yes  . Originally I searched for, "Battery Location" and this is what came up:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=search2 - none of which directly told me where it was. Fortunately, from a different post about my issue, I found the PartZilla website and was able to figure it out from there.

I proceeded to continue and search for "best battery" and "top battery" - finding that many people just use Yuasa or standard Wal-mart batteries. But - I didn't find anything about a similar style battery to my Optima I'm used to running, so I figured I would ask.

The seat lock search came up with a few different potential problems, but I figured since I was asking one question, it couldn't hurt to ask the others since they were all related.

I understand wanting people to search first, but if every question has been answered at one time on this board somewhere in a thread, then people wouldn't be active.   

He wasn't talking to you Murrgh, he was talking to the people that were posting the same information someone else had already posted earlier in this thread.

Example, first thing I thought of was push down on the nose of the seat to release the lock, but no need to mention it as it had already been brought up a few times.

Exactly Houdini... just wonder why the same answers get posted over and over. Even meatheat should have picked up on that. Wasnt saying anything about the OPs question.

Oops. Sorry about that. Read that differently! 

[Lyonardo]

When I bought my bike the seat latch was hard to release with the key.
Sometimes it released easily, sometimes I'd have to push down on the seat first.

Finally it got stuck and I had to open the latch with a thin screwdriver.
I examined it and noticed that the latch was held on by a single bolt on top.
Also, the gas tank has a large bolt at the rear. right in front of the seat latch bolt.

Years later, I added a tank bib and got the same problem AGAIN because the seat was tight against the tank again.

Same solution each time:
*loosen the tank bolt, and latch bolt.
*Adjust slightly. (there's about 1-2mm of play when bolt is slightly loosened)
*Tighten down and replaced the seat.
*Rinse and repeat until the seat releases normally.








  

[indybobm]

Something else that can be tried: Loosen the seat latch bolt so that the seat latch can swivel a little. Put the seat on and latch it. Carefully unlatch the seat and remove it. Tighten the seat latch bolt without allowing the seat latch to move.

[Lyonardo]

Unfortunately, if the latch assembly isn't tight when you turn the key, the whole thing will move in the opposite direction of the cable pulling. So basically, part of your key turn will be wasted in taking up the slack. Most likely, you won't have enough travel left to open the latch. Then your seat will be stuck for sure.

Something else that can be tried: Loosen the seat latch bolt so that the seat latch can swivel a little. Put the seat on and latch it. Carefully unlatch the seat and remove it. Tighten the seat latch bolt without allowing the seat latch to move.

[indybobm]

snug but not tight. Worked for me.

[Lyonardo]

Good to hear.

snug but not tight. Worked for me.

[Murrgh]

So it's a dirty starter. Happened again today, after flipping the kill switch back and forth a few times I was finally able to engage the starter.

[Bighead]

That is what we wuz tellin ya.... simple things first....most here have been through anything you can come up with...so advice here for the most part is solid.

[Edvalk]

Yuasa is the only battery I'd ever buy. Starting my 6th year on my Yuasa and it was in the bike when I bought it.I pull it in the winter and put it in the basement and put the battery tender on it .

[cookiedough]

Yuasa is the only battery I'd ever buy. Starting my 6th year on my Yuasa and it was in the bike when I bought it.I pull it in the winter and put it in the basement and put the battery tender on it .

5-6 years is about what I have been getting on my Yuasa batteries cheapest place to buy is on amazon.com for around 65 bucks or so.  speaking of that, noticed this year will be 6 years on one of mine so will be iffy this year for sure.   The volts use to be 12.8 or so fully charged and now dipping into that 12.4 volts fully charged when I took it out this fall in basement now so will see if need another one this year sometime.