[OldManDave]

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A few weeks ago, I accidentally turned my Intruder's key to the parking light position when I parked in the garage, and ran the battery totally down. When it was time to ride a few days later, I figured out what happened, but my solution did not work. I took some heavy gauge wire and some alligator clips, and jump-started the bike with the battery still in place. It started right up, but died the moment I disconnected the clips. I then used the clips and a battery charger, and after 30 minutes of charging, jump started it and it continued to run when the clips were removed. I got about 5 blocks and stopped at a convenience store while my riding buddy ran in for something. I put down my kickstand without putting it in neutral, killing the engine. Of course it would not start. My buddy came back with a car battery self-contained jumper, and I could start the bike, but it would not run when the jumper was removed. I had to push the Intruder home 5 blocks (did someone say this was a light bike?!) where I fully recharged the batttery and have not had a problem since.

Moral of the story - Bike Generators are not like car alternators, which will run a car even with the battery disconnected. A bike battery needs a good charge. If you run your battery down, don't try any shortcuts to the charging process unless you like pushing your bike.

 

[007]

That's good to know. Thanks man!

 

[LayinLo]

I konw you haven't had any more problems, but have you checked your battery on a meter to see waht kinda charge its holding? I'd just be a little curious to know if its holding the same amount as the original charge.

 

[SeattleKatana]

Yeah, check the battery. I did exactly the same thing one Friday last month. I rode to work turned the key to lock the forks and turned it to far. When I came out the battery was stone dead. I called Progressive's Roadside Assistance (really recommend!!) he jumped me and I was off and running. Had to turn it off after a couple of minutes to put some gear under the seat, but it started right back up.

 

[007]

You know, while tinkering with my bike I did the following experiment. I started it up, then I removed both cables from the battery. I actually expected the engine to shut off, but it just kept running like nothing happened. So, it can run just fine without a battery, if it's already started up.

I did not ride it though, so I don't know if you could actually ride around without the battery. I also think that electrical systems are bike specific: what works for one bike, may not work on another type. You just have to figure out your own bike.

 

[mikemilburn]

bad idea

That's a bad thing to do, remove the battery while the engines running, you cause all kinds of voltage spikes which play hell on electronics. You could do it thousands of times but it only takes once to fry expensive parts.
Simplified--compare it to holding you throttle wide open on a bike barely able to make it up a hill. What would happen if you held the throttle in the same position and hauled in the clutch?. No load on the engine and it revs wide open, same for the electrical, no place for the current to go....Mike

 

[007]

Got that! Won't mess with it anymore. Thanks!