Battery or starter question

[Del Tysdal]

1978 XS 1100: Over the last two days my electrical seems to have a problem. When the battery level is over 12 1/2 - 13 volts it will turn the motor easily to start. When it gets under 12 1/2 volts (like 12.2 and below) the starter will not turn the engine to start it. I have the volt meter on the battery now with no connection to the engine and it is holding a 12.4 volts for 1 hour but that amount will not turn the motor over to start if I were to hook it up again. About 2 weeks ago I had to jump start the engine and I really had to crank it long to finally get it going. The problem then was a vacuum tube leak going into the carb.. Thanks.

[boyat68]

Del Tysdal:

A 12 volt battery really is a 13.2V battery when fully charged. That is about 2.2 volts power cell. The fully charged battery quickly falls to 12.5 volts upon starting a vehicle. The starter on the XS is notorious for draining a battery quickly on several start attempts, and then will not spin the engine fast enough to fire. It will operate the lights but it is just not strong enough to get many attempts of starting. That is why you have to have a good battery and kept fully charged. I normally leave a trickle charger on the battery when the bike is not being used.

If your volt meter shows a fully charged battery at below 12.5 volts then maybe your battery is running out of it's useful life. Another consideration is that the brushes on your starter motor may be used up or not making full contact due to contamination of the brushes. Check the brushes on the motor.

[Del Tysdal]

battery or starter

Thanks. I will try a new battery just to be assured of a rapid start 150 miles from home.

[bwilding_2000]

My bike had trouble starting after sitting all Winter long. I took out the battery, added battery acid to the cells that were low, and gave it a charge. It works great now. Just a few thoughts that might help.

[Del Tysdal]

Battery or starter

I did add distilled water to my battery thinking that would help. It did not seem to. I added to the top level line. Thanks.

[bikerphil]

inexpensive battery

The Wal-Mart has batterys for our bikes for about $45. Got 'em in my bikes and the are fine, but I ride 365 a year, so they never get a chance to go dead.

[Del Tysdal]

Battery

I will get the Wal Ma Part battery today and see how it works. Thanks. Del in MN