Battery keeps draining - where to start?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Sexysuzi
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    Battery keeps draining - where to start?

    Hi,

    Just brought my wife a gs 550! (to go with mine ;-)
    Problem is, I have replaced the battery, as it was flat when i brought the bike.
    but...it does not hold it's charge when out for a ride.

    e.g. 40 mins in the bike and i can't start it.

    where should I start to investigate this issue?

    Any help would be most welcome..!

    thanks all.
  • mike_of_bbg

    #2




    Comment

    • Sexysuzi

      #3
      shall have a read, thanks!

      Comment

      • chuck hahn
        Forum LongTimer
        Past Site Supporter
        • May 2009
        • 25918
        • Norman, Oklahoma

        #4
        Charge the battery full OUT OF THE BIKE and let it sit for 24 hrs. Take a voltage reading about 1/2 hr after you take the charger off and another one after it has sat. If it has a drop just sitting unattatched to anything then the battery most likely is the culprit. While it is sitting on the bench, clean all the grounds and wiring harness connections and add a smear of dielectric grease to them all.
        MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
        1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

        NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


        I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

        Comment

        • posplayr
          Forum LongTimer
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          • Dec 2007
          • 23673
          • Tucson Az

          #5
          Originally posted by Sexysuzi
          Hi,

          Just brought my wife a gs 550! (to go with mine ;-)
          Problem is, I have replaced the battery, as it was flat when i brought the bike.
          but...it does not hold it's charge when out for a ride.

          e.g. 40 mins in the bike and i can't start it.

          where should I start to investigate this issue?

          Any help would be most welcome..!

          thanks all.


          Happy Easter

          Comment

          • Sexysuzi

            #6
            thanks all - sorted..charging just over 13.6v. Wrong cable..!

            Great advice and printed out all the details

            cheers

            Comment

            Working...