Won't start, electrical

[Duffy]

I've had my 93 Valk on the trickle charger, cranked right up then died. Starter fired one more time then dead. No power. GPS had power from battery. Idiot lights no power, neutral light out for sure.

Checked "main" fuse, good. (meaning the 30A hidden behind the side cover). Then there is the 55A metal strip there too, looks good.

Ideas on what to check next? I am an idiot when it comes to electrical...

[Chrisj CMA]

Jump it to the car and see if it starts... If it does it's a bad battery

[Duffy]

I am loosing it, I stated '93 Valk! I mean 2003 Valk, aka Charlene.

Battery not likely. I have started from the car before, not recently.

[Duffy]

Well, I was reluctant to jump it, because I was SURE it wasn't the battery...

It started with a jump. Dead batter it is! Thanks Chris!

[Chrisj CMA]

Well, I was reluctant to jump it, because I was SURE it wasn't the battery...

It started with a jump. Dead batter it is! Thanks Chris!

Good deal

[Gryphon Rider]

You could also have a charging problem.  Check voltage at the battery terminals when the bike is running at 2000 RPM.  Should be above 13V.

[Duffy]

You assume I can read the old analog volt meter I have...

[The emperor has no clothes]

You assume I can read the old analog volt meter I have...

Turn the dial to DC volts in the 0-25 range. Then on the face there will be several lines, one of them will be that 0-25 DC. If all else fails you can get digital meters really cheap at Harbor Freight.

[Moonshot_1]

I am loosing it, I stated '93 Valk! I mean 2003 Valk, aka Charlene.

Battery not likely. I have started from the car before, not recently.

Was going to suggest Flux Capacitor but ...

[Chrisj CMA]

You assume I can read the old analog volt meter I have...

That is correct though, anytime you have a dead battery you should make sure the alternator is not the cause.  However, if it starts right up with a new battery it will only take a couple days of use to kill the new battery if the alternator is not charging.  So, a week or so of use after the new battery If it still starts you have some charging going on.

[Duffy]

Thanks guys for the additional comments on this thread, including the humor and the specific explanations. 

I had a great ride yesterday with the N Georgia Motorcycle Club and the new battery was great.

You are right though, I should test the battery now as you have explained before the inevitable if it is the alternator. I will hopefully get to that this week.

Just wanted to say thanks for the help. 

[..]

Good to see that I'm not the only electrical dunce on this board 

[..]

Thanks guys for the additional comments on this thread, including the humor and the specific explanations. 

I had a great ride yesterday with the N Georgia Motorcycle Club and the new battery was great.

You are right though, I should test the battery now as you have explained before the inevitable if it is the alternator. I will hopefully get to that this week.

Just wanted to say thanks for the help. 

It was good to meet up with y'all at TWO for lunch.

I only took us on 2 dead end U turns after lunch. Pretty low considering what can usually happen when exploring.

[john]

did you check/clean negative battery cable where it grounds to motorcycle ? take it off and scrub with wire brush