Honda VTX1300C stuff - whaaa?!
- Thread starter SarahP
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Yup, definitely on your way to being a motorcycle repair star. Not afraid to tackle new suff and learn. That's how most of us did it.
Aww, thanks, Qship, but I'm probably on my way to even greater embarrassment! I really appreciated everyone's (kind and gentle!) help when I borked up that fuel filter install. I had a good laugh at myself!
I'm still waiting to do the final clip-on of the fuel line and then test it out.
I'm still waiting to do the final clip-on of the fuel line and then test it out.
OK, folks, I'm in another trouble spot, I'm afraid. This concerns the battery. I have a buyer for the bike -- he's a friend of mine, so I especially don't want to give him a can of worms to deal with.
In the course of trying to get the fuel assembly working correctly, I started/shut off the bike several times and eventually had a weak battery. I didn't flog it to the point of complete failure, but it was definitely low.
Hooked it up to a battery tender, and it's been red (low) for over 24 hours now. I also swapped battery tenders, to make sure the one hadn't malfunctioned. All were good.
This afternoon, after hitting the 24-hour point, the voltage was 13.3 V with a multimeter.
I know that a moto batt can *look* good but still not have enough juice to start, so I put a car charger on it set to 2 amps.
The needle went immediately into the 100% range, showed orange charging lights for about 15 seconds, then went to a green 'Fully Charged ' indication.
I know the best thing to do -- if it'll start -- is to go ride it pretty hard (fast) for about an hour, right? I'm hesitant to do that without a chase vehicle in case that fuel line decides to let go (or the vacuum line slips off again).
I'm wondering if I just need a little more patience with the moto battery charger? TIA!!
In the course of trying to get the fuel assembly working correctly, I started/shut off the bike several times and eventually had a weak battery. I didn't flog it to the point of complete failure, but it was definitely low.
Hooked it up to a battery tender, and it's been red (low) for over 24 hours now. I also swapped battery tenders, to make sure the one hadn't malfunctioned. All were good.
This afternoon, after hitting the 24-hour point, the voltage was 13.3 V with a multimeter.
I know that a moto batt can *look* good but still not have enough juice to start, so I put a car charger on it set to 2 amps.
The needle went immediately into the 100% range, showed orange charging lights for about 15 seconds, then went to a green 'Fully Charged ' indication.
I know the best thing to do -- if it'll start -- is to go ride it pretty hard (fast) for about an hour, right? I'm hesitant to do that without a chase vehicle in case that fuel line decides to let go (or the vacuum line slips off again).
I'm wondering if I just need a little more patience with the moto battery charger? TIA!!
Sarah, go back to basics, check your battery cables first, you said it went to "full charge", if it cranks ok take it for a spin, it's probably ok. You are on your way to being a ace mechanic!!!!!!!
Thanks, TD, but with the fuel issue, I just don't wanna end up like this poor schmo:
I was a bit traumatized when I saw the fuel leaking down onto the exhaust when I got home from my safety inspection!
The problem is that I have two test devices telling me two different things. I suspect a generic car charger and a battery trickle charger have a major difference in the degree of their measurements, kind of like measuring with a yardstick vs a micrometer.
Ye the car charger will always charge at a much higher rate than the trickle charger , some times if a battery has gone realy low it may take a trickle charger a couple of days to get it back up and in some cases even longer depending on the size of the battery .
I would put it back on and start the bike leave it a few minutes then turn off and leave it over night come back and start it again if it starts ok then your fine if not you will know .
I would put it back on and start the bike leave it a few minutes then turn off and leave it over night come back and start it again if it starts ok then your fine if not you will know .
Sarah, to get a good idea about your battery strength try this, with your batt. fully charged test the battery with a meter wright down the voltage value, pull your spark plug wires off, spin the engine over for about 10 or 15 seconds, measure the voltage again and notice if the voltage is swinging back up toward 12V and that it didn't get below around 9 volts. If the voltage comes back up around 11 or 12V it is probably ok , it will be lower than what you wrote down at first, now with the batt. voltage V down crank the engine and note the increase of V charge it should be up above 12V. This will give you a idea of the strength of the battery, and the charging system, if you notice the engine turning over slower before cranking thats ok just notice if it turns over ok when it gets charged back up in a few minutes. This test will put a load on the battery if it is weak and you will notice this especially if it will not charge back up after running it a while.
TD, that sounds like a good troubleshooting procedure. I'll give it a try, thanks! I actually rode the VTX beast today for 80 miles - had to quit when the temp started hitting 95*F/35*C. But I wanted to ride it for a while at highway speeds to get a good charge on the battery. I think I accomplished that -- I logged about 60 miles of 60 mph/97 kph or better. (A LOT better, in a few deserted stretches)
But again, when I got home and put the bike on the battery tender, it still showed a solid red light. Twelve hours later and it's *still* not green!
So I'm motivated to try your test.
Thanks!
Battery tenders are designed to maintain a charged battery, so using it to charge a drained battery may take a while. Try to use your charger to bring back a drained battery when possible.
What TD is telling you is load testing your battery. This will determine if it's going bad and whether or not you'll need to replace it. If you don't have the voltage tester/multi meter to test it, a reputable garage can do it for a small fee or free(if they get a battery sale)
What TD is telling you is load testing your battery. This will determine if it's going bad and whether or not you'll need to replace it. If you don't have the voltage tester/multi meter to test it, a reputable garage can do it for a small fee or free(if they get a battery sale)
I'm beginning to wonder how old the battery is - and I agree with Qship. Your local bike shop can load-test the battery and may do it for free - especially if they think a new battery sale is coming 
If not for free, it's worth a few bucks to find out one way or another.
For a bike so little used, you wouldn't think it was the charging system that's the culprit.
Batteries really take a beating in the constant heat down your way and some only live a couple of years.
Up here in Eskimo land my Yuasa batteries easily last for 6-7-8 years - but of course they are stored in a cool, dry place in the winter which adds to their life.
If not for free, it's worth a few bucks to find out one way or another.
For a bike so little used, you wouldn't think it was the charging system that's the culprit.
Batteries really take a beating in the constant heat down your way and some only live a couple of years.
Up here in Eskimo land my Yuasa batteries easily last for 6-7-8 years - but of course they are stored in a cool, dry place in the winter which adds to their life.
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Well, folks, the VTX1300C is but a memory for me now. I sold it this weekend to a coworker who is ecstatic to have the bike.
I think I was secretly hoping that he would renege on the deal and I could justify keeping it. But now I know it'll be ridden much more than I would ever have time to.
I can't wait to start paying some attention to my Street Twin now!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice on replacing the fuel assembly! I learned a lot!
I think I was secretly hoping that he would renege on the deal and I could justify keeping it. But now I know it'll be ridden much more than I would ever have time to.
I can't wait to start paying some attention to my Street Twin now!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice on replacing the fuel assembly! I learned a lot!
Less bikes=less maintenance so now you can ride more. All good. Hope you get the chance.
To tell the honest truth, I have too many bikes and each one really doesn't get ridden enough over our short summer, but it's hard to let one or two go. Each one holds a lot of memories and they make me smile when I look at them.
Sentimental attachment to these machines is one of the mysteries of the ages
You have that lovely Street Twin and that's a great all-around bike.
Enjoy
Sentimental attachment to these machines is one of the mysteries of the ages
You have that lovely Street Twin and that's a great all-around bike.
Enjoy
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I have let some go that i wished i had back!
I think that's probably why I hate to let them go - and then wish I hadn't.
I get that feeling every time.
*****************************************************************************************To tell the honest truth, I have too many bikes and each one really doesn't get ridden enough over our short summer, but it's hard to let one or two go. Each one holds a lot of memories and they make me smile when I look at them.
Sentimental attachment to these machines is one of the mysteries of the ages
You have that lovely Street Twin and that's a great all-around bike.
Enjoy
Thanks for the support, everyone! I was out of town for about 5 days immediately after selling the VTX. When I came home and walked into my garage, I have to say I felt a sense of relief that the bike was gone, and thatI didn't have to worry about its maintenance, upkeep, and insurance any more. Maybe I'll get a cruiser in the future, but for now I am a happy 2-bike owner!
well there you go lads !!..... must av been a good price for the bike ? ... as it kept her in town for a 5 day shopping spree 
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