| Author | Message | ||
     Crempel |
Its literally been years since posting on here but still have my 06 Uly. 28k miles. The issue I could use advice on is hard starting. I ride most everyday and when I don't (snow, ice) I keep it on a battery tender. Some days the starter turns the motor over at what I would consider a good speed. Next day, or even later the same day, it will BARELY spin it once. It always starts, but it sure seems like its not going to some times. I have checked and cleaned all ground wires. Battery is not the newest, but I'd like to have reasonable certainty before replacing that that's the problem, not something in the charging system. | ||
| Nateba |
Check the starter fuse if you haven't already. After a month of sounding like it wasn't going to start, my Uly didn't. Sat with it dumbfounded for a few hours. Starter fuse was burnt. | ||
| Uly_man |
This is a normal thing and more so on the 06 bikes. Even a "tip-top" charge on a 10 bike can still do this a little. | ||
| Crempel |
I heading out on a 5 days trip thru NM and southern CO soon. Do you really think its nothing to worry about? | ||
| Hughlysses |
If you don't already have one, definitely install some sort of voltage gauge on your charging system. That way you know if you have a problem well before the bike dies and strands you on the side of the road. Almost any auto parts store or battery shop should be able to do a load test on your battery and tell you if it's OK, especially if you're keeping it on a trickle charger. That should tell you if it needs to be replaced or not. Otherwise, make sure the terminal connections are tight (install star-type lockwashers under them) and check your ground points on the frame. It's worth while to go through, remove the connection, file the paint off, and reinstall with a star-type lockwasher to ensure they're always giving a good solid ground. | ||
| Crempel |
Thanks for the idea of the star washers.. Brilliantly simple, they will dig into the metal slightly. Cool. I am NOT an electrically minded person, so could you give me an idea as to how and where to install a voltage meter and what it should say under different circumstances? Thx | ||
| Calousky |
Here's what i've installed on my o6 ulysses, it's very cheap and really usefull http://dx.com/p/led-display-cigarette-lighter-elec tric-voltage-meter-for-auto-battery-dc-12-24v-6817 9  | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Wow- that's a cheap/easy voltage meter if I ever saw one. Crempel- it should indicate ~13-14V with the engine at any speed above idle. It should read 12-13V at idle. If it drops much below that, you probably have a charging system problem. If you don't have a voltage meter, the first indication of a charging problem is the speedometer and tach will drop to zero, followed by the engine dying about 1 minute later. | ||
| Uly_dude |
Crempel, I had this same thing going on with my 06 uly the ever since I bought it used back in 09. Over the winter I installed a new VR by Compufire. My LED voltage indicator didn't show any problems with the old VR, but I knew these things were faulty so I changed it out before I got stranded. Anyways, with the new VR, my bike spins over much faster now. Also, I swear I'm not seeing things, but my LED indicator is a brighter green than before. I know this isn't very scientific, but I'm beginning to think the new VR is doing a much better job of topping off the battery than the old VR, which in turn starts the bike better. Do like Hughlysses says. | ||
| Djohnk |
Calousky ... great find on that voltmeter! | ||
| Etennuly |
You can do a simple load test with a volt meter and your starter. It will let you know if the battery is weak after making sure you have good connections. Hook the meter to the battery terminals. It should read 12.4 to 12.7 volts full normal charge. When you hit the starter button watch the meter, it should not spike below about 9.6 volts while starting. If it is dropping lower the battery is usually weak and should be tested further to know for sure, but at this point I just replace my battery. | ||
| Sharkguy |
Great idea Calousky! I just ordered one. | ||
| Crempel |
Just put a meter on it. Dropped to 6.3 v. I guess new battery is in order? Any recommendations? Interstate, Shorai........ | ||
| Luftkoph |
I'l say it again even tho it pains me to do so,its really hard to beat the H.D. battery,perfect fit and the terminals are made for this bike,I've bought another (drag specialties) it fit but had to use spacers on the terminals. | ||
| Arcticktm |
I was going to ask how old your batt was. I had my OEM '06 until a month ago. I was having hesitation on starting as well over the past couple years, and getting a bit worse. New battery and problem solved. I went with the "Big Crank" ETX14, online, which is supposedly the same manufacturer as the OEM Buell battery. Should cost you about $75 give or take. Slightly different terminals, but it came with "shims" to make it work perfectly. | ||
| Etennuly |
I used the AGM ETX14 from Oreilly Auto Parts. They are a really decent battery. | ||
| Ourdee |
I use an LED and analog meter while riding. If you see the voltage stay above 15 volts, the VR may be going bad. | ||
| Crempel |
I picked up an Interstate that fit perfectly except for the shape of the posts. Couple of washer fixed that. Got it from a local bike shop for $85. Haven't heard my starter crank over like this in a couple of years. |
