[gary]

hi my bike as been stood for a couple of months upon charging the battery and starting the bike up it had been running for about 20 seconds. i turned the lights on and the bike went dead. the alarm still works fine but nothing happens when i turn the ignition key. the battery is fine. can anybody help.

 

[The Chad]

first thing to try is to clean and tighten the battery terminals. Never forget to keep the basics good, the starter requires a lot more output current from the battery than everything elts combined. Your lights and horn and warning bells may work but the nessasary current to crank the motor is not available. Try that then let me know

 

[87gsxrnut]

i turned the lights on and the bike went dead

Is that a European thing w/being able to turn the lights off? If you have an alarm installed, or any other goodies (switches, etc), you could have a short somewhere. You have no idea how many alarm systems I have uninstalled or repaired because they were installed incorrectly.

Because an alarm is drawing current, it can drain a battery over time if the bike is not started. If your battery is weak, then even moreso. Recharging the battery sometimes won't help the situation. Run an ohmmeter across the terminals and see what type of voltage the battery has after it has been sitting for a bit. Motorcycle batteries do not have the longevity of an auto battery.

- Ross

 

[gary]

thanks ive sorted the problem it was the main fuse, in england bikes have a light switch so you can turn them on and off, thanks.