| Author | Message | ||
     Hansheinen |
Hi all! (fairly) new to motorcycling - first Buell. I have a 2004 Buell Firebolt with around 27K miles. When i purchased five months ago, the owner told me the battery wan't in the best shape. Two weeks ago, I left the lights on by mistake and killed the battery. I slow-charged it, and the bike ran great- for a few days. After leaving the parking lights on for maybe 10 minutes, the bike started clicking instead of firing. A fast, machine-gun clicking that I've heard before when I try to start the bike. Charged the battery again, and went for a ride. After ten miles, the v-twin red engine indicator came on, then went off, then went back on again. I turned around and started home. The bike began to hitch - lightly at first, then more and more. The red 'check engine' light kept coming on and going off. I rode like this the last five miles home. The needles on the gauges bounced back and forth as well like they do on startup. I got home, killed the bike. Tried to start it today, got more clicking, then.. nothing. I'm sure the battery needs to be replaced- but there's probably more wrong here. What should I check first? What does this problem sound like? Thanks for the input - if there's another thread with this already active, i apologize. :-) | ||
| Froggy |
The battery needs to be replaced. If it was near the end of its life when you got the bike, the abuse from being drained by the lights finished it off. Another thing to check while your at it, under the front pulley cover is a 2 pin connector known as the 77 connector, on 03-07 models it was common for the pins to not make good contact, and it would arc and melt the connector. Take it apart to see if there is any visible damage. | ||
| Akbuell |
Good advice from Froggy. After the new battery is installed, start the bike, let it idle enough to warm up, and connect a multimeter to the battery terminals. At 2K RPM, you should see approx 14.5V. If so, all is well. And check with the sponsors to get a factory service manual. A must have. Hope this helps. Please let us know how it goes. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Get yourself one of these: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/16076.html It's reassuring on a cold drizzly night seeing those green LEDs on steady  | ||
| Hansheinen |
Hi all! Thanks for the input - I took Froggy's advice, replaced the battery. She fired up immediately - almost happily, LOL. Akbuell, after install I let bike idle to warm up. Checked voltage on battery at 1800-200 rpm and got a steady 14.29-14.31 - sounds like I'm in the green! Thanks to all for your advice and help - I appreciate it! I'm off for a ride in the Vegas sun. | ||
| Ourdee |
I keep mine on a Schumaker maintainer for motorcycle batteries. If you ride around at less than 2500 rpms a lot, it will struggle to get enough recharging. The maintainer will help the battery live longer. Welcome to club. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
check your relays | ||
| Akbuell |
Most excellent! Glad we could help. Dave |
