V11 problems

[dell]

Hi all, I started my bike up couple days ago, bikes always on optimiser, started no problem, I stopped for a coffee after 35 miles, tried to start the bike nothing,  I was kindly given a start from a guys jump leads, bike was running rough but managed to get home,  tried to start it again,  again nothing,  after being on the optimiser all night it started the next morning.  Appreciate any help ,thanks in advance. 

Dell

 

[docc]

Hi, Dell!

   What is the make/model/age of the battery?

   What relays are in it?

[dell]

Hi docc, 

Its a 2002 v11 le mans, i unfortunately not good mechanically so I don't know what relays are on the bike. The battery is a motobat i can't remember the number,  but when I looked it up it appears to be the correct one,  I have only owened the bike for about 3 months so not sure of the battery age.

Cheers Dell 

[docc]

Do you have a digital volt meter?

[audiomick]

Hi @dell. Looks like @docc is heading in the right direction, but so's you know where he's heading: The symptoms indicate that the battery is not delivering properly, i.e. dead. 'Nuff said, do what docc says. 

[dell]

My son had a volt meter i can borrow.  Forgive my ignorance if the battery is dead would it not charge up,  I left it on the optimiser over night and the following morning the bike started without any problems. Regards Dell 

[audiomick]

14 minutes ago, dell said:

... Forgive my ignorance if the battery is dead would it not charge up,  I left it on the optimiser over night and the following morning the bike started without any problems....

Without wanting to worry you too much, there is a whole chain of things that can lead to what you are describing. They are all cureable, and mostly *fairly* easy to find. You have to go through it systematically and methodically, and eliminate possible faults one after the other. Thereby, start with the most obvious and simple and leave the complicated stuff until the simple things have been eliminated or verified as the cause of the problem.

Battery is easy, and on the top of the list because you don't know how old it is, or how it has been treated in the past.

Batteries age. What can happen when they get old is that they can take a charge, even start the bike once, but have no capacity any more. At a second start attempt, or even the first, they can't deliver enough energy to turn over the starter motor, even though they look like they are charged.

That is fairly easy to test. Get the multi-meter. Measure the voltage across the battery terminals. It should be nearly 13V. Leave the meter connected and press the starter. If the voltage drops below 10V, the battery is most likely too old.

There are several other things, known issues with a V11, that can cause the starter motor to not turn over, but check the battery first. One thing at a time. 

PS: this optimiser, what is it? There are "float chargers" on the market that are actually not really good for the battery. 

Edited 11 hours ago by audiomick

[dell]

Hi audiomick,

Thank you and docc for taking the time to respond,  I will probably take it to the local bike shop for them to have a look for me as I said I am not mechanically minded 

Cheers Dell 

OptiMate 1 Duo 12V Lithium and Lead Acid Motorcycle Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer

• OptiMate 1 Duo 12V Lithium and Lead Acid Motorcycle Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer

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[po18guy]

I would make certain that you have a good earth. That cable ends at the transmission housing. It can be reached with some dexterity. I would clean the cable end and the transmission surface, then use some Caig DeoxIt or similar to protect the connection. That, and the underseat relays are legendary for going on strike at the most inopportune moments. Good replacements are not that expensive and they are plug and play. Then, a check of running voltage. OH! The voltage rectifier is adjacent to the oil cooler. Trace the wires from it to the frame. There is a multi-pin connector that is susceptible to  rain water and corrosion. I had a similar problem that went away when I cleaned that connector.