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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Broke down outside of work (resolved)
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Message started by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 17:20:05

Title: Broke down outside of work (resolved)
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 17:20:05

Turned the ignition, lights came on, hit the starter and everything is dead. Seat is off, checked the battery connections, seem ok. Checked fuses, they're not blown. Everything is dead right now, no lights, nothing. Working on this in the dark. Lucky that I was outside of the office, at least I have access to a computer. ANy ideas? Heading back out to look for loose connections.
Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by blacksheep23 on 08/21/08 at 17:21:50

did u flip the switch on?

check for gas?

does it click when u hit the starter?

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 17:38:14

No clicking, dead nothing. No lights. The kill switch was the first thing I checked. I read that someone was having problems with it, so maybe that could be the problem. I could take it apart, but I really don't know what to look for. Is there a bypass?

By the way, anyone know what that hose coming out of the carb is, going down behind the battery? It's not connected to anything, just grease on the end.

Getting grease all over the nice keyboard at work. I really don't want to call AAA, that would be my last resort.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by blacksheep23 on 08/21/08 at 17:43:30

if theres no light and the fuse is ok,u def have a dead battery,recharge it or replace it,

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 17:57:29

I got power! Had to be a loose connection. Just tightened every nut and bolt I came across. Now I have about 6 miles to ride on a dark stretch of road to get home, hoping that it doesn't die again.
Thanks for the support.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by EssForty on 08/21/08 at 18:00:46

You might be able to jump start it if you can't charge the battery.

With the kill switch off, turn the petcock to PRI and turn on the key while it is in Neutral. Then either roll down a hill while seated, or if you have no downhills nearby and you are adventurous and somewhat athletic push the bike while running alongside it and when it gets around 10 mph , jump into the saddle, pull in the clutch, pop it up into 2nd and let the clutch out. The engine will turn over and you should be able to ride it home. It will start charging up the battery as you drive. Rev it at every stop so it does not stall on you.

It you're 300 lbs and have a heart condition, then this is not the best advice. But it is a simple way to get home that worked for me on all of my motorcycles when I was a teenager.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 18:27:44

It's dead again. Kind of convinced that it's the battery at this point. Turned the key, and by chance the lights came on. Soon as I hit the starter, it died with no lights. All flat ground around here, I'm drenched in sweat trying to push start it. Shar's visiting family on the west coast. Time to call AAA for a jump.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by blacksheep23 on 08/21/08 at 18:31:57

sorry to hear that man.If u need a new battery let me know.I have one brand new lying arnd that I ended up not using it.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by YonuhAdisi on 08/21/08 at 19:00:24

50484F544F4A4F200 wrote:

I had the same problem and it ended up being my wiring harness was rubbing against the belt and stripped the wires causing it to ground. Not saying this is your problem however, but check for any worn spots especially if new battery does the same thing.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 20:18:15

Thanks everyone. I made use of my AAA RV policy, gave them a call and 20 minutes later a biker in a tow truck was in the parking lot. It was the battery. Fired right up after hitting it with some juice. I buttoned her back up and had one of the best rides home I could remember. AAA RV is worth the extra money, especially being broke down in an empty business town at night.

Blacksheep, I would take you up on the new battery, but I have the next two days off and want to be in the wind tomorrow. Thanks much for the thought though. I'll drive over to the stealership in the morning and pay premium just to ride in the nice weather that's in store. Along with the battery, I think I'll buy some small jumper cables to have in case of a future problem with my bike, or a fellow rider stuck on the side of the road.

It's funny the things that go through our heads when we're in these situations. What could it be? I could've swore it was electrical. Of all the things that could go wrong, a dead battery is a piece of cake. Yeah, it's a drag to go through, but still better than a major repair. Thanks again people.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/21/08 at 20:23:47

That brings up a question I hadn't thought of...

Will our charging system run our bike AND jump another bike's dead battery? Or will the draw just suck our bike dry and leave two stranded?

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by Reelthing on 08/21/08 at 20:27:11

just attach short fairly heavy gauge wire to the + side cap it and tuck it in the tool box - then you can jump with any type of cables - or spring for agm like the big crank.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by photojoe on 08/21/08 at 20:28:46

That's a good question Sandy. I know that when we're jumping from a car battery, the car has to be off. Maybe someone with experience will chime in.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by verslagen1 on 08/21/08 at 20:57:31

2F37302B3035305F0 wrote:

That's a good question Sandy. I know that when we're jumping from a car battery, the car has to be off. Maybe someone with experience will chime in.

Why does it have to be off?
Both are lead acid batteries, both charge at the same voltage.
Yes the capacities are night and day but so what?

And why can't one bike charge 2?
Assuming 1's already up and running and using only 60watts itself. leaves 60watts to start another.

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by Max_Morley on 08/21/08 at 21:16:18

1. the reason we usually shut the car engine off when jumping is to protect its electronics from an accidental mis-connection and applying 24 volts to systems. Yes you could charge another battery from your Savage, however, any vehicles charing system is considered a battery maintainer, not a battery charger. And how long are you going to let that air-cooled Savage engine run with out fan while charging the the 2nd battery. IMHO not a good plan, use a charger when needed. Buy and take care of a good battery, if lead acid, check the fluid level monthly and top off with a hypodermic syringe and distill or at the least de-mineralized water. I like the AGM sealed maintenance free type, as they self discharge slower and you cannot add water so no need to check it. More $ less hassle and riding time. Maybe one less AAA call. Max

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by bill67 on 08/22/08 at 04:15:59

My wife and I had suzuki gr650's,you couldn't start one from the other.She had handle bar heater on hers and left them on one night on a trip I had cables put it wouldn't work I had to push it and jump on it to start it.they where 1983's

Title: Re: Need HELP, broke down outside of work
Post by Onetogo on 08/22/08 at 06:07:36

2022372C2C2D302A30430 wrote:

... jump into the saddle, pull in the clutch, pop it up into 2nd and let the clutch out.

Been stuck three times with a dead battery. #1 was battery that came with bike and it was firt time I checked it - bone dry. Filled it up to see how long it would last. #2 was a week later at gas pump. I'm a thin 145 pounds wet, flat ground, pushed like crazy, jumped on and the single cylinder compression stopped it after one turn over. #3 was on a new battery after using my extra driving lights all the time. Wired straight to battery. Have not been using them and have had no problems.

Replaced my battery with one from Batteries Plus to see how long an inexpensive battery will last.

Way to hang in there diagnosing and ruling out problems. I am terrible at that.

Title: Re: Broke down outside of work (resolved)
Post by photojoe on 08/22/08 at 12:57:01

Hooked the battery up to the tender for a few hours, it's deader than corduroy. It's sealed so can't add distilled water. No one in my area has a battery for this bike including the suzuki stealership, so I ordered a Big Crank with 2 air shipping. I'll take the next few days tightening nuts/bolts and polishing crome/paint.

Title: Re: Broke down outside of work (resolved)
Post by Demin on 08/22/08 at 13:51:05

When you shut it off,did you maybe turn it to park instead of off?

Title: Re: Broke down outside of work (resolved)
Post by photojoe on 08/22/08 at 14:22:34

66676F6B6C020 wrote:

When you shut it off,did you maybe turn it to park instead of off?

That's possible, but I doubt it. The battery's time was probably up.
3 hours on the battery tender, got the green light and installed it. Turned the key, lights went on, hit the starter and she died. All things considered, no big deal.

I could think of a lot worse places to be stranded. I've been doing a lot of night riding in the boonies on roads that I wouldn't even be able to identify if I called for help. No homes or business's for miles, just trees, twisties, bugs and animals. At least I wouldn't go hungry.

Title: Re: Broke down outside of work (resolved)
Post by verslagen1 on 08/22/08 at 14:32:52

Now check for shorts while you're waiting for the new battery.