It was the battery. Actually, batteries.

The charging system is fine. When I finally got the bike started, and revved it, the meter jumped to over 14, so the charging system is fine.

As you may remember, when I had attempted to charge the batteries the first time, neither one took a charge.

The older, wet cell battery was bubbling, but not on all cells, and was not holding a charge. I tapped the battery around the sides of the battery with a rubber mallet, knocking the sulfation off the plates. I charged it again, and this time it held a charge. The bike started right up.

The newer battery, the 'maintenance free,' I found out is not maintenance free. Just for shits and giggles, I pried the top off it, and guess what? The cells were just about completely dry. I filled them with distilled water, and put it back on charge.

When I put it back in the bike and turned the key, it clicked continuously, which is better than when it died and didn't do anything at all. I will continue to charge it, as it wasn't on charge that long, and try it again.

I will still buy a new battery.

So what have I learned?

1. Maintenance free is not really maintenance free.

2. Sulfation is 'fixable,' at least temporarily, with a rubber mallet.

Thanks to all of you who gave me advice. You made me think, which is always a good thing.

Zip

'There is a fine line between art and fondling.'
- J.H.P.

'Nicole'
Last Edited By: erickvonzipper 06/24/08 4:13 PM. Edited 1 times.