So, I pick up the ss last week. I thought it was odd that when I collected it the owner didn't have the battery connected. Got home no problem. Left it 2 days and decided to take her out on Friday and the battery was dead. Managed to bump start it (was sweating like a proverbial) and took it to the helpful dave Robinson. Confirmed battery was old and dead but plenty of juice going back with engine running. He fitted a new sealed battery and off I went. Waited 2 days. Fully leathered up this morning for a blast to the hill and it was dead again! Arghh! Bump start. 60 minute blast and after I defrosted at rykers the bike started. What's the deal?! I noticed an additional wire from the battery. Secret alarm? Immobiliser? What else could be draining her?
When you say 'dead again' what are the symptoms when you try and start engine? There's a good chance that battery is fine/not draining rather the leads/connectors of the starter system have light corrosion and or resistance causing similar symptoms. There is a connector block just below the live battery lead junction that can cause this all on it's own. Can't find picture just now but was the subject of a recent (and similar) thread. If you have a meter you can confirm state of battery when standing and with engine running.
Search on the Bay of E for the 12v LED battery condition monitor (or similar wording) These little beauties are only a tenner, and you can keep an eye on the battery and health of the charging system _ I fit them to all my old irons.
With regard to the number of wires, there should only be the two thick wires going to the battery (black and red).....if there are some thinner wires, expect to see that the reg/rec has been changed for an Electrex RR51.....if that is the case, you should see one thinner wire going to each battery terminal as well. See if you can spot a label of marking on the reg/rec....if it is an RR51 it would normally be on the top fin, somewhere so you can see from the left side of the bike...... ....if it is an RR51 it is likely that the additional wire/s from the battery are specifically for the RR51 reg/rec, because they wire up differently to the OEM one.... Also check the big 30A fuse next to the battery....this only protects the OEM reg/rec.......if that is blown, just maybe that could be your problem... ....and if the fuse isn't actually in place, then you don't have an OEM reg/rec. Does the No Charge warning light work properly? IE, 'On' when you turn on the ignition, but 'Off' as soon as you start the engine. With regard to a battery voltage monitor this is what Dodgy Dave is referring to......buy the 8mm or 5mm one......the 10mm one is a bit distracting in poor light. voltmeter, battery monitor items in Sparkbright Products store on eBay! If you have more than those wires mentioned above going to the battery, I suggest you try and trace them....don't disconnect any of them unless you have disconnected the battery ' - ' first...... If you have an RR51 reg/rec, I did a proper wiring diagram for it, specifically for the SS bikes. AL
