92 k75s won't start

[lorthion]

Hi!

I've got a 92 k75s that I'm having trouble getting to start.  Went on a trip and didn't run it for a couple weeks and came back and won't run.  The battery seems to be fine, plugs look fine but have a bit of oil on them.   Any idea on what to check?  Is the starter busted?  Youtube video below of what the console looks like with all the noises and lights when I try to start it.


Youtube -

[Martin]

Check the battery with a meter, if it is fully charged try back spinning the starter. Go to the Library Card Catalog Scroll down to electrical and open Starter Simple Backspin Cleaning and follow the instructions.
Regards Martin.

[Martin]

A word of warning, trying to start a K Bike with a flat battery can cause the points in the starter relay to fuse together. The starter will then continue to draw current. This can result in the battery overheating and blowing out the side of the battery in rare cases.
Regards Martin.

[Motorhobo]

Also - I've had batteries read 12.6 volts despite being dead. It's not the voltage that measures starting power, it's cold cranking amps (CCA). When in doubt about your battery, take it to a car parts shop and have them test it or get a new battery. Cheap warehouse batteries don't last long unless kept on a trickle charger. My last $50 battery only lasted a year and a half.

Just sayin'.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

If the battery checks good the next place to look is dirty/loose connection at starter or ground, worn brushes, dirty commutator.  It's not that hard to get the starter out and to disassemble it. 

After that I would look at the ignition switch.  It's amazing the problems a bit of crud in there can cause.

[stokester]

Also - I've had batteries read 12.6 volts despite being dead. It's not the voltage that measures starting power, it's cold cranking amps (CCA). When in doubt about your battery, take it to a car parts shop and have them test it or get a new battery. Cheap warehouse batteries don't last long unless kept on a trickle charger. My last $50 battery only lasted a year and a half.

Just sayin'.

Yes, you need to put a load on a battery to test it.  To dynamically test it hook up your meter and then hit the starter button, does the voltage drop below 10?

[lorthion]

Might actually be the battery then...I did that dynamic test this past weekend, voltage normally reads 10v, drops to 8 when I hit the starter button.

Wheres the best place to get a new battery?  Someplace like autozone or my local motorrad dealer?

[stokester]

Wheres the best place to get a new battery?  Someplace like autozone or my local motorrad dealer?

I use an Odyssey batteries in my brick and one of my airheads, a Panasonic in the other airhead.  Although expensive, I've found the upfront cost worth it - NO battery problems for many years.  I've seen recommendations from others for Motobatt AGM batteries although I have no experience with them.

Some have been purchased through a dealer others via internet.

[Motorhobo]

I go the battery warehouse $50 route and put it on the trickle charger once a week.