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I've been having trouble starting my R lately. If I put the trickle charger on overnight and then attempt to start it, the bike turns over a couple times and then there's a quick series of clicks.

I put the charger back on for about 15 minutes and try again and can then start it.

Yesterday, I got the bike started that way and headed out in the morning. I stopped for gas after riding about 10 miles and then couldn't start it.

I thought the battery was going but then thought it might be the starter. I don't have a battery tester at home. any ideas on how to tell what the problem is or should I just buy a new battery and see if that fixes the issue?

Thanks

Have you checked the oil level. I had slightly overfilled my oil and my bike developed this problem. I assume it increased the pressure in the sump and made the engine harder to turn over resulting in the starter clicking but not turning the engine over. An easy way to test is with the oil filler cap off (letting excess pressure escape) but covered with an old rag to stop oil spraying all over your engine and try to turn the engine over on the starter.

Check the battery first. Put a volt meter on it. I have had the problem in the past, and it was the battery.

Is it the original battery? If it is then the battery is probably the culprit. If it is a newer battery, there might be some corrossion or loose terminals.

Yep.....I feel for you and the pain in the arse to get to it.........

Simply putting a voltmeter on the battery won't necessarily tell you if it's bad. Most batteries will show 12 volts with no load whether it's bad or not. You need to check the voltage with a load. Probably best to pull the battery, charge it and take it to a battery dealer who can test it and simulate a load at the same time.

Wayne

I dont own an RR yet but I am an engineer and hope you dont mind me throwing in my 2 cents worth.

I support boxermania in his corrosion theory. I note that your bike is 2002 and that you are not that far from the sea. I will assume that you may have made trips there or even ridden your bike on a "gritted road" during the cold season.

I would look to the earth connection at the starter or where it connects to the frame. You may well find the problem there. If there is an earth wire on the starter, then remove both ends, inspect/clean/repair then refit. Reprotect the areas disturbed and I think you will find the problem has gone.

The earth contact points should be clean, bare, metal to metal.

Looking forward to getting my 2002 RR on Monday. (black, of course!)

NorseMan9 wrote:I've been having trouble starting my R lately. If I put the trickle charger on overnight and then attempt to start it, the bike turns over a couple times and then there's a quick series of clicks.

I put the charger back on for about 15 minutes and try again and can then start it.

Yesterday, I got the bike started that way and headed out in the morning. I stopped for gas after riding about 10 miles and then couldn't start it.

I thought the battery was going but then thought it might be the starter. I don't have a battery tester at home. any ideas on how to tell what the problem is or should I just buy a new battery and see if that fixes the issue?

Thanks

I had the same problem. I was thinking the same. First I got a new Odyssey battery. Then I though that something was draining my battery while bike was off. Then I got a new starter. Finally we found out the stupid battery took the charge, yet had no power to start the bike. I am having it replaced for a new one free of charge (remybattery.com).
As far as the starter goes, I was told that there a three magnets in the starter and that they have tendency to drop one or two of them. That will make them spin hard, draining the battery while trying to start.
If I may suggest, if you battery is not new (1-2 years), get anew one. Remybattery.com is a good place. It is easy to replace and most probable cause of your problem. Also, since it gets colder, most batteries die around this time. Do not forget to fully charge the new battery before installing it. If that does not work, then you may proceed with a mechanic, who will be measuring the amp load draining the battery at starting. If it is the starter indeed, I got one for $170.00 shipped from euromotoelectrics.com. Great guy and brand new OEM starter. Good luck!

CycleRob wrote from an earlier post----



Speaking about a new battery . . . . It's my turn. My 6 year old WestCo maint free has gotten weak. First indication was that it has been turning barely noticeably slower than before. Then really weak at the Bash when It clacked the solenoid, turned real slow and barely started in the sub 50 degF morning cold. It's time. Last week I checked the cold engine cranking voltage on a 70 degF Georgia morning. It went to 8.1 Volts. It must never be below 10.

I just did an on-line search and found the best deal here:
http://www.lmrbatteries.com/odyssey_PC680.html
$79 + $9.33 UPS ground shipping for the most powerful, longest lasting battery.


This man is much smarter than I and knows his stuff!!

Wayne

Thanks for the compliment, but those cranking voltage numbers, + or - a few tenths of a Volt, are common knowledge to every auto mechanic that knows what a voltmeter is. If the cranking voltage is low it can also be a damaged starter drawing excessive power from a good battery. That's where the starting current measurement -or- easier to do load testing of the battery erases the doubt completely.

About that website for the battery, that price was what I paid before the price of lead skyrocketed. Now it's $119.52 + Shipping.

Interesting part of the starter's specs are: "1.2 Kw cranking torque @ 270 amps"
1,200 Watts @ TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY Amps!! That's why you need a decent, fully charged battery to make it thru the cold riding season, which further taxes available power.

Amazing how much that battery has jumped in price. I paid $75 for mine last summer including shipping.

Wayne

I believe the specs for the Odyessy battery (based on it's Mil spec requirements) are that it can be shelved for up to seven years and retain a full charge. I did not charge mine before installing and it fired right up.

I had the same issue and like somebody mentioned before, it ended up being too much oil.