500/750/800/900cc - Page 54

drumrnj · 01-14-2009

I put up a picture of my bike. What do you think. I bought it this past summer.

rustygunner · 01-14-2009

Welcome George. Looks like I showed up late once again =)

I would add one thing; pull the plugs and clean or replace them. I replace mine every season, and yours MAY be fouled with gas from the bike cranking without starting. NAPA sells NGK plugs for your bike at about half the cost from the dealer.

Sounds like to me your battery may need to be replaced, but try charging it first and see what happens.

jeffs99vulcan · 01-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumrnj

I put up a picture of my bike. What do you think. I bought it this past summer.

Nice, from what I can see! If there a large picture anywhere that I didn't find?

P.S. You think I know what I'm talking about?! Wait 'til rustygunner and mercury get going on intakes and jetting!

rustygunner · 01-14-2009

Just checking plugs today, TY =)
(Too darn cold for much else)

drumrnj · 01-15-2009

Jeff or anyone else on hear..What would be the symptoms if the Starter is going ? I just want to be sure it is my Battery...I recently had a lot of work done on it so I really dont think it is the starter.

jeffs99vulcan · 01-15-2009

That, in my opinion, can be a tough one to diagnose, because if the starter is going, the best way to diagnose it is with a fully charged battery! The fully charged battery is also the cheapest way to start looking into whatever else might be wrong...

If you know the battery power being supplied is good, then the starter can do any number of things like click, spin freely, do nothing at all...

But it's VERY unlikely that's your problem, because as you said, it cranked and cranked... that's a starter that's working properly!

It's always best to start diagnosing the cheapest way possible, because like rusty said, these bikes are pretty bulletproof and not much goes seriously wrong with them, and not very often. I'm pretty confident it's not the starter based on what you've told us so far... and you can't get much of a cheaper solution than a charged battery!

Does that help?

rustygunner · 01-15-2009

Sounds like it's your battery to me.
Starter going out would either not crank at all, may crank if you beat on it with a hammer, or smoke comes out of it. May make some humming or grinding noises as well. Clicking sound means dead battery. Cranking the engine with a low battery MAY damage the starter.

drumrnj · 01-15-2009

Thanks, Guys
I appreciate all the help.
Where can I get distilled water to fill the battery ? is it available at any automotive store ?

jeffs99vulcan · 01-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumrnj

Thanks, Guys
I appreciate all the help.
Where can I get distilled water to fill the battery ? is it available at any automotive store ?

Drug store, grocery store... it's usually recommended to use for filling irons and stuff like that, keep the calcium deposits from forming inside the appliance. It's pretty easy to find where you buy bottled water!

drumrnj · 01-15-2009

Thank You

WhiteFox · 01-15-2009

In reguard to the zerk fitting at the contact point on the VN900, I have found a source for some 6mm button zerk fittings. I ordered 6, so will have a few left over. PM me if interested. I checked around, and was unable to fine metric button zerks, so contacted a shop in Spokane Wa and they are fabricating then for me my cost between 7 and 8 dollars each plus tax and freight. ANd yes the center zerk on my VN900 is sheered clean off, but the casting looks ok.

cosmicsclassic · 01-15-2009

hello drumrnj, if you can't charge your battery, or can't wait for your charger to arrive, you can jump the battery with your car with jumper cables just like jumping a car, positive to positive ,neg. to neg. but i wouldn't have the car engine running. and if you must strike the starter with a hammer,do it gently. hard hits won't help the starter and may crack the engine block.

drumrnj · 01-17-2009

Thank You..
Ok, Here is where I am. I bought the charger and charged the 12 V battery at 2 amps for ten hours. Reinstalled the battery and still had the same problem. I also noticed it was low on gas so I filled the tank and still does not turn over. It also seems like the battery is draining again (getting slower and slower as I crank it). Please let me know what you guys think the next step should be. I am thinking that I probobly need a new battery and maybe look at the plug. Is it easy to uninstall and reinstall a plug on this bike. I have never done it.
Thanks for your help
George

drumrnj · 01-18-2009

Just an update...The head has recently been replaced on the bike. After the amount of money I spent on this bike, I should not be having any problems. Now, it has been been below 0 degrees in my area and the bike has been outside because my garage has been occupied.

jeffs99vulcan · 01-18-2009

I think that yes, you probably do need a new battery. Does the charger you bought have a full charge mode (not trickle)?

drumrnj · 01-18-2009

Jeff, Thank You for getting back to me. I really need help with this. I am trying to get ready to ride for the spring. The only options on this charger are 6v 6amp, 12v 2amp and 12v 6amp. There is no full charge button.

drumrnj · 01-18-2009

If i do need to get a battery, Please let me know what the best battery to get for this bike is. The battery in there now is 12V, 12Amp.
Thanks
George

Joram · 01-18-2009

When I bought my bike, the previous owner tried to jump start the bike with the charger in "jump" mode. This ending in toasting the battery and I had to buy a new one.

I took the old battery to Sears Autopart and they matched me up with one right there. Only $80 and I have not had a problem since.

I do recommend when replacing to clean the connection real good with a wire brush and put on some dielectric grease.

jeffs99vulcan · 01-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumrnj

If i do need to get a battery, Please let me know what the best battery to get for this bike is. The battery in there now is 12V, 12Amp.
Thanks
George

I did what Joram did George... I brought the old one in and asked for a suitable replacement... there are guys on here that know a lot about batteries that might give better advice, but the guys at the store won't sell you the WRONG battery... it's just a 12volt, and obviously size IS important... in this case!

Your charger should charge at 6amp, but I don't think it will take or hold the charge based on what I know about it so far...

drumrnj · 01-18-2009

I ordered a battery and should get in a couple days. I was able to pick the battery on line based on the make and modle and year of the bike. I will keep you posted. Is that what it sounds like to you, Jeff ?
This is making me a little crazy.
thanks
George

01-14-2009	#1062 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	Welcome George. Looks like I showed up late once again =) I would add one thing; pull the plugs and clean or replace them. I replace mine every season, and yours MAY be fouled with gas from the bike cranking without starting. NAPA sells NGK plugs for your bike at about half the cost from the dealer. Sounds like to me your battery may need to be replaced, but try charging it first and see what happens. __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

01-14-2009	#1064 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	Just checking plugs today, TY =) (Too darn cold for much else) __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

01-15-2009	#1066 (permalink)
jeffs99vulcan Keeper of Donkey Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 13,803	That, in my opinion, can be a tough one to diagnose, because if the starter is going, the best way to diagnose it is with a fully charged battery! The fully charged battery is also the cheapest way to start looking into whatever else might be wrong... If you know the battery power being supplied is good, then the starter can do any number of things like click, spin freely, do nothing at all... But it's VERY unlikely that's your problem, because as you said, it cranked and cranked... that's a starter that's working properly! It's always best to start diagnosing the cheapest way possible, because like rusty said, these bikes are pretty bulletproof and not much goes seriously wrong with them, and not very often. I'm pretty confident it's not the starter based on what you've told us so far... and you can't get much of a cheaper solution than a charged battery! Does that help? __________________ Jeff - Ottawa, Ontario '99 Vulcan 800 Classic I WAS THERE! Day of Donkey August 8, 2009 Kansas March '09 M-o-M

01-15-2009	#1067 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	Sounds like it's your battery to me. Starter going out would either not crank at all, may crank if you beat on it with a hammer, or smoke comes out of it. May make some humming or grinding noises as well. Clicking sound means dead battery. Cranking the engine with a low battery MAY damage the starter. __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

01-15-2009	#1071 (permalink)
WhiteFox Enjoy the journey! Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Just outside of Pullman, Wa Posts: 812	In reguard to the zerk fitting at the contact point on the VN900, I have found a source for some 6mm button zerk fittings. I ordered 6, so will have a few left over. PM me if interested. I checked around, and was unable to fine metric button zerks, so contacted a shop in Spokane Wa and they are fabricating then for me my cost between 7 and 8 dollars each plus tax and freight. ANd yes the center zerk on my VN900 is sheered clean off, but the casting looks ok. __________________ Proud caretaker of a 2006 VN900 Classic LT.

01-14-2009	#1061 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	I put up a picture of my bike. What do you think. I bought it this past summer.

01-15-2009	#1065 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Jeff or anyone else on hear..What would be the symptoms if the Starter is going ? I just want to be sure it is my Battery...I recently had a lot of work done on it so I really dont think it is the starter.

01-15-2009	#1068 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Thanks, Guys I appreciate all the help. Where can I get distilled water to fill the battery ? is it available at any automotive store ?

01-15-2009	#1070 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Thank You

01-15-2009	#1072 (permalink)
cosmicsclassic JUST WANT TO CRUZ BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Severn,MD Posts: 777	hello drumrnj, if you can't charge your battery, or can't wait for your charger to arrive, you can jump the battery with your car with jumper cables just like jumping a car, positive to positive ,neg. to neg. but i wouldn't have the car engine running. and if you must strike the starter with a hammer,do it gently. hard hits won't help the starter and may crack the engine block.

01-17-2009	#1073 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Thank You.. Ok, Here is where I am. I bought the charger and charged the 12 V battery at 2 amps for ten hours. Reinstalled the battery and still had the same problem. I also noticed it was low on gas so I filled the tank and still does not turn over. It also seems like the battery is draining again (getting slower and slower as I crank it). Please let me know what you guys think the next step should be. I am thinking that I probobly need a new battery and maybe look at the plug. Is it easy to uninstall and reinstall a plug on this bike. I have never done it. Thanks for your help George

01-18-2009	#1074 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Just an update...The head has recently been replaced on the bike. After the amount of money I spent on this bike, I should not be having any problems. Now, it has been been below 0 degrees in my area and the bike has been outside because my garage has been occupied.

01-18-2009	#1075 (permalink)
jeffs99vulcan Keeper of Donkey Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 13,803	I think that yes, you probably do need a new battery. Does the charger you bought have a full charge mode (not trickle)? __________________ Jeff - Ottawa, Ontario '99 Vulcan 800 Classic I WAS THERE! Day of Donkey August 8, 2009 Kansas March '09 M-o-M

01-18-2009	#1076 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	Jeff, Thank You for getting back to me. I really need help with this. I am trying to get ready to ride for the spring. The only options on this charger are 6v 6amp, 12v 2amp and 12v 6amp. There is no full charge button.

01-18-2009	#1077 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	If i do need to get a battery, Please let me know what the best battery to get for this bike is. The battery in there now is 12V, 12Amp. Thanks George

01-18-2009	#1078 (permalink)
Joram Kimberly Dawn 1966 - 2009 BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Panama City, Fl Posts: 996	When I bought my bike, the previous owner tried to jump start the bike with the charger in "jump" mode. This ending in toasting the battery and I had to buy a new one. I took the old battery to Sears Autopart and they matched me up with one right there. Only $80 and I have not had a problem since. I do recommend when replacing to clean the connection real good with a wire brush and put on some dielectric grease. __________________ 1995 VN800A Just Get a Bigger Hammer !! National Vulcan Riders Forum

01-18-2009	#1080 (permalink)
drumrnj Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 55	I ordered a battery and should get in a couple days. I was able to pick the battery on line based on the make and modle and year of the bike. I will keep you posted. Is that what it sounds like to you, Jeff ? This is making me a little crazy. thanks George

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