[Homeslice]

Came out and discovered that the battery is almost dead, it primes the fuel pump but will not start. Dash lights way low. I also get a rapid-fire clicking from the tail section, I assume that's some sort of relay? Does that mean I need to replace that, in addition to the batttery?

[honda3x23]

how did you discover it was almost dead, did you leave the key on? check the battery voltage, your first step is to recharge the battery.

if these starters are anything like car starters low amounts of electricity from the battery will not create enough force to keep the contacts closed (in other words not enough current to operate the starter and it makes a quick clicking noise)

[Homeslice]

No I didn't leave the key on, I just didn't ride for a couple days. Like I say it tries to start, but doesn't have enough juice. Can't even jump start, I tried 3 times. I'll be getting a new battery (what kind?) but I was just wondering if the clicking noise was normal.

[honda3x23]

you should recharge the battery if you have a low amp charger, if not go to the dealer and spend the extra money its worth it.

[rokitt51]

Charge the battery

[bladeracer]

Definately sounds like a flat battery.
Jump starting means jumping it from another vehicle or battery which should certainly start it if it's only a flat battery.
Bump starting it won't work if there's not enough power to prime the fuel pump or trigger the injectors.

[Twincam]

Originally Posted by bladeracer

Definately sounds like a flat battery.
Jump starting means jumping it from another vehicle or battery which should certainly start it if it's only a flat battery.
Bump starting it won't work if there's not enough power to prime the fuel pump or trigger the injectors.

I think if the battery goes beyond a certain level, the injectors will not even work.

Charge the battery and see... Something is wrong though, a couple of days and the battery is flat? Get a battery tender e.g. Optimate.

[bladeracer]

That's right. If there's no power for the injectors you won't get it to run.

[MCR001]

ummm how old is the Battry ??? no one informs you that they only last 2yrs or so, allways good to replace them often.
Clicking is normal.

[bladeracer]

In my own experience the OEM Yuasa batteries are the best and certainly last longer than a couple of years.
My 929 is still running its original '00 battery and it sat for more than a year when it was originally written off and then sat for six months after I crashed in '04 and still fired up first time.
Nowadays without the stator it usually sits flat for four weeks between race days until I charge it up before the next race day and I charge it between track sessions. It's still going strong.

[Twincam]

Originally Posted by bladeracer

In my own experience the OEM Yuasa batteries are the best and certainly last longer than a couple of years.
It's still going strong.

My Hornet had one, was parked up for over a year and had gone so low the alarm had gone into sleep mode. With a little charge she boosted right up and is now on the Blade (battery was OEM and bought in 2005...)

Alarms drain the crap out of the batteries, my blade used to be able to last between 3/4 weeks without needing charge, now its down to about 2.5 weeks max.

I bought another one for my Hornet and one for the VFR... I use a battery tender (Optimate SP3 - there are new ones out too) and I've so far never had a problem.

Good pieces of kit, especially when the bike hasn't been run for a while.

[Homeslice]

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I meant bump-starting, not jump starting. It just surprises me that the battery would suddenly go bad with no warning. I ride it at least 2-3 times a week. I mean at least with cars you get several weeks worth of warning before you know the battery is going bad.

The previous owner installed a PC3 and a speedo healer. None of those settings are going to get erased when I change the battery, are they?

[bladeracer]

No idea about the healer but the PC retains the map even when removed from the bike.