Troubleshooting: Starting an XS1100

[Grombl]

I've been working on '79 XS11 for 2 months now. The bike had been sitting for 2 years. I have since rebuilt the carbs and restored the gas tank with POR15, cleaned out the petcocks and added new fuel filters and lines, and Changed the oil filter and oil as well as new spark plugs.

Without a doubt the battery is dead. I tried kick starting with no avail. When I kick start it it just cranks but doesn't get going.

What should I be checking? Would it be easier to get a new battery?

[LAB3]

You're going to need at least SOME juice in the battery or the ignition won't fire, either jump start it off a good battery or get a new one.

[gtem]

What LAB3 said. Pony up for a new battery (they can be had for around $50-60 on amazon etc) or atleast hook up a boost pack or something. Have you atleast checked for spark when you kick it over?

[DiverRay]

You need at least 10.6V at the battery to get spark. I know from experience that jumping a bad battery WILL NOT WORK. Three of us spent two hours once trying. Buy and charge a new AGM or flooded cell battery, put it on a charger to verify it's fully charged BEFORE using it, and then try to start it.

[LAB3]

What LAB3 said. Pony up for a new battery (they can be had for around $50-60 on amazon etc) or atleast hook up a boost pack or something. Have you atleast checked for spark when you kick it over?

I've had mixed experiences buying batteries on line. In one case the battery was defective and it was going to cost more to ship the battery back for replacement than I spent on the battery in the first place. I've been running an AGM I bought at AutoZone three years ago, it costs double what an on line cheapy costs but hasn't let me down

[DEEBS11]

Do NOT put a lithium battery in it.

[gtem]

I've had mixed experiences buying batteries on line. In one case the battery was defective and it was going to cost more to ship the battery back for replacement than I spent on the battery in the first place. I've been running an AGM I bought at AutoZone three years ago, it costs double what an on line cheapy costs but hasn't let me down

I've been buying from amazon so the return policy is mercifully easy (return to a local kohls no questions asked, full refund), but I haven't burned yet buying sealed lead acid "Chrome" brand and "Weize" (all from China obviously).

[cajun31]

I've been working on '79 XS11 for 2 months now. The bike had been sitting for 2 years. I have since rebuilt the carbs and restored the gas tank with POR15, cleaned out the petcocks and added new fuel filters and lines, and Changed the oil filter and oil as well as new spark plugs.

Without a doubt the battery is dead. I tried kick starting with no avail. When I kick start it it just cranks but doesn't get going.

What should I be checking? Would it be easier to get a new battery?

As others have stated invest in a good new agm battery. You stated that you lined the tank with POR15. Did the tank have pinholes in it? I know it is a day late and a dollar short but unless there were and was the reason for lining the tank it is better to just clean the tank. Those liners generally do not hold up. Better to do a vinegar acid wash of the tank and then lubricate and fill up with gas.