Had a productive day in work today. As I was walking to the parking garage to get on my bike I was thinking, "this is a nice day for a ride". Well, I put the key in the ignition, turn it from "lock" to "on", turn on the engine stop switch, squeeze the clutch, put the bike in neutral, and I'm about to press the starter when I notice that my gauge cluster readouts didn't appear. The displays lit up slightly and looked gray. No CHEC etc. The needles didn't wake up either. WTF? So, I turn off the ignition. Start the process all over again (kinda like a PC reboot
). Nothing. I'm thinking, my battery can't be dead I just bought this bike in February. Okay brain, what might have caused this. Well, I installed a GIPro two weeks ago. Maybe something happened to it that would cause a severe drain on the battery. Maybe. Maybe my charging system has a problem. Not likely, since the bike started perfectly this morning when I was getting ready for work (I live only 12 miles from my workplace). There has been no indication of my battery losing charge. Maybe the connections to the battery got loose. Maybe. Anyways, I take off my gear, remove the rear cowl, break out the tools (hey, I get to use the Suzuki tools!
) and start removing parts of my bike. First, I disconnected the GIPro. Tryed to start it. Nope. Same result. Okay. Next I checked the battery terminals. The positive was mostly tight but it did tighten down a little more when I cranked on it. The positive terminal had a power lead from the GIPro attached to it. Okay, maybe it came a little loose. Tried to start her again. Same. No go. Okay, punt time. So, I call the wife for a ride home. While waiting for her I pull the battery (hey, these Suzuki tools really do work!
). I go home and check the battery. 6.8 volts. Hmm, that's not too good. Okay, let's break out the battery charger and get that puppy juiced up. What? The battery charger is broke. Okay, run the the auto parts store and buy a new one. Get back home and put her on the charger. The battery is charging now as I write this. I want to get it in the bike so I can ride the bike home to continue the work on it.
Here are the facts:
1) Bike started perfectly this morning (It has always started perfectly).
2) A GIPro combo Gear indicator/ATRE was installed a few weeks ago. It has run perfectly since installation.
3) The bike showed little if any charge when I turned it on this afternoon when I was about to ride home from work.
4) At home, the battery showed only 6.8 volts when checked by a VOM (outside of the bike).
5) The positive terminal connection was ever so slightly loose.
I'm looking for some suggestions. I do have the manual (a real one!
) and I will be checking the electrical system for problems. If it is a current leak caused by the GIPro I should be able to find it (I hope). If anyone has any other ideas of what could have caused this I am all ears.
I'll be leaving shortly to bring my (hopefully charged enough) battery to my powerless bike. I'll check back later tonight for words of wisdom from any of you kind enough to post a reply.
Wish me luck getting home.
Here are the facts:
1) Bike started perfectly this morning (It has always started perfectly).
2) A GIPro combo Gear indicator/ATRE was installed a few weeks ago. It has run perfectly since installation.
3) The bike showed little if any charge when I turned it on this afternoon when I was about to ride home from work.
4) At home, the battery showed only 6.8 volts when checked by a VOM (outside of the bike).
5) The positive terminal connection was ever so slightly loose.
I'm looking for some suggestions. I do have the manual (a real one!
I'll be leaving shortly to bring my (hopefully charged enough) battery to my powerless bike. I'll check back later tonight for words of wisdom from any of you kind enough to post a reply.
Wish me luck getting home.
