Try Screwfix for the Multimeter, £10 and will do what you need.

 

If you have someone to help you then a length of twin and earth will get the bike jump started. Amazing how little they need to crank over compared to a car.

Depends on the engine.

A big vtwin takes quite abit of turning over. Not sure how a 600 il4 would stand.

Multimeters come in handy for alsorts. Defo worth an investment.

Mine is a KTM 990 V-Twin and first touch of the starter fired it up when jumping it off.

Try Screwfix for the Multimeter, £10 and will do what you need.

 

If you have someone to help you then a length of twin and earth will get the bike jump started. Amazing how little they need to crank over compared to a car.

I have heavy duty jump leads somewhere but don't want to use those, might try some cheapo ones and clamp them onto 2 screw drivers to touch battery terminals. 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4457020.htm better price but none in stock in the country it seems for a week bahhhh

 

 

Depends on the engine.

A big vtwin takes quite abit of turning over. Not sure how a 600 il4 would stand.

Multimeters come in handy for alsorts. Defo worth an investment.

I have 2 somewhere but no idea where :( 

 

The Argos Multimeter will do the trick.

 

That's the problem with car jump leads in that the clamps are way to big for a bike battery but all you need do is hold it against the bike battery so long as you can metal to metal contact.

The Argos Multimeter will do the trick.

 

That's the problem with car jump leads in that the clamps are way to big for a bike battery but all you need do is hold it against the bike battery so long as you can metal to metal contact.

 

Argos one is no good not waiting a week for one to come in. Multimeter in town waste of my time went to about 7 shops none had one then drove 15 miles to a paint shop and they did.... FML!

 

Used my old lorry jump leads in end with Octy's 15 year old factory battery. Started fine battery was only reading 12.02V with engine running regardless of rpm it was 11.35v.......So where now not producing the goods at terminals end :( reg/rec or the whole shabang?

Well back from the funeral.  Good turn out including a lot on bikes from a motorbike club Dave set up some years ago in Boston that is still running.  Place was full and apart from going in to Status Quo who I can't stand it was a good service.  Two songs from Queen (much better) and a few words and that was it.  You don't get much for your money I guess.

 

Met a few faces from the past including a couple of blokes who I was crewed with in my Traffic days, one of which couldn't remember me but the I think he will be in his very late 70's to early 80's so no surprise there really.  I can promise you I am memorable!

 

Pleased I went to say my good byes even if it is some 27 years or so since we met.

 

Jane came with me and we declined the invitation to go to the 'do' after and came straight back home via Aldi for some shopping.  Back into real life immediately and onwards and upwards.  Sad to see old friends go but made new ones on here and that is good.  Life does indeed go on along with all it trials and tribulations so I hope you get your battery woes sorted Fuby.

 

Just shows what a small world it is as well.  Whilst we were waiting to go in Jane spoke to a women in there who she works with.  Neither of them were aware that the other were attending today.  Jane didn't know Dave and was only there at the last minute so she travels 40 odd miles to a funeral and meets someone from work.  Weird huh?

 

Oh and did manage to get an invite to a couples in Hornsea any time and there would be cake!!!!  I have know the Guy since my days in Boston as he used to be a Police rider alongside Dave in fact they were so alike they used to be named the terrible twins.  I have not seen him since 1977 but I was aware of where he was because his mother in law was one of the old folk I transported about to craft classes some years ago and I keep in touch with her.  So I have nott met the daughter until today and you would have thought I was a long lost cousin.

 

Have to admit I was a little sad yesterday and now I am back to my normal self (groans I hear) so you can all rest assured normal service has been resumed.

 

Lastly thanks for being there for me. :clap:

That's low. I assume you had good contact with the multimeter?

 

You need to be checking the voltage further down the line which will be the rectifier next. Ensure the battery leads are cleaned up then reconnect them to the battery. Measure the positive lead to battery earth and then to an earth on the frame and see if you're getting a difference. If that's OK then trace the wires from the rectifier down to the alternator. You will have a plug connection along the way. Take it apart and clean the contacts up and put it back to together. Stick the positive in each of the wires and earth to battery if it will reach if not earth to frame or engine bolt. You should get high voltage readings up to around 18-19V as the revs increase as it's not being regulated by the rectifier.  

Try also earthing the battery to an engine bolt with a jump lead if you can. If you get better voltage readings at this point check the battery to frame earth for breakages or corrosion.

Well back from the funeral.  Good turn out including a lot on bikes from a motorbike club Dave set up some years ago in Boston that is still running.  Place was full and apart from going in to Status Quo who I can't stand it was a good service.  Two songs from Queen (much better) and a few words and that was it.  You don't get much for your money I guess.

 

Met a few faces from the past including a couple of blokes who I was crewed with in my Traffic days, one of which couldn't remember me but the I think he will be in his very late 70's to early 80's so no surprise there really.  I can promise you I am memorable!

 

Pleased I went to say my good byes even if it is some 27 years or so since we met.

 

Jane came with me and we declined the invitation to go to the 'do' after and came straight back home via Aldi for some shopping.  Back into real life immediately and onwards and upwards.  Sad to see old friends go but made new ones on here and that is good.  Life does indeed go on along with all it trials and tribulations so I hope you get your battery woes sorted Fuby.

 

Just shows what a small world it is as well.  Whilst we were waiting to go in Jane spoke to a women in there who she works with.  Neither of them were aware that the other were attending today.  Jane didn't know Dave and was only there at the last minute so she travels 40 odd miles to a funeral and meets someone from work.  Weird huh?

 

Oh and did manage to get an invite to a couples in Hornsea any time and there would be cake!!!!  I have know the Guy since my days in Boston as he used to be a Police rider alongside Dave in fact they were so alike they used to be named the terrible twins.  I have not seen him since 1977 but I was aware of where he was because his mother in law was one of the old folk I transported about to craft classes some years ago and I keep in touch with her.  So I have nott met the daughter until today and you would have thought I was a long lost cousin.

 

Have to admit I was a little sad yesterday and now I am back to my normal self (groans I hear) so you can all rest assured normal service has been resumed.

 

Lastly thanks for being there for me. :clap:

It's one of the only positive experiences I have of funerals, the bringing of old friends together again. I like the music side of it too, I have my own songs ready for mine and picked the most inappropriate I could think of to go out in style. Sounds like it was a good respectful turn out and I am sure he would have been dead chuffed at folk from way back when remembering and taking the time. 

The last one I went to again another ex colleague and friend had Always look on the bright side of life at the end which was so typical of him.  He also had Have I told you lately I love you by Rod Stewart which was obviously intended for his wife and I actually now cannot listen to it without feeling emotional.

 

I haven't thought of what I would want played and as I won't be there to hear it I won't care but I guess it is nice to leave a bit of your personality for others to remember.

Good to hear it's all done and dusted Chris, never easy.

More worrying is that you are back to your 'normal' self.

Scary.

Well I thought it only fair to warn you.

I'll get me coat

Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch is one of my selection just for the utter bemusement WTF factor

 

As for my electrical gremlin.... went to locate the reg/rec and having tried google nothing came up of help in where they put it, so I remembered I have a Haynes manual!!! It said under fairing on the left or on the right.... Well I took it outside as it's a lovely day and it wasn't on the left or the right or under the tank then I found it :( If I hadn't read that stupid manual I'd have found it in 20 seconds flat.... Bit of a bummer in that its loom splits into two circular connectors and goes in opposite directions and to get at them I would need to fully remove the tank so a bit of an issue for checking with bike running as I cba making a drip tank with my blue peter skill set. I did find a radiator hose when fairing was off on left which needed tightened up embarrassingly

 

FFS lol

As it stands, I need ANOTHER new battery..... I could just order a new reg/rec from a breakers at same time (£35 odd) fire it on and see if that solves it (no harm having a spare if not or dump it back on ebay) and then move on to just swap out the magnets of doom if not the issue.  4th battery though :( an expensive lithium one wrecked ffs! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231742170754

Edited 21 April, 201610 yr by FUBAR

Plan B has been initiated, lithium battery is now on the charger under close supervision (inside a wooden bread bin for explosion risk...) I am monitoring the charger to not let it go outside of the battery manufacturers limits of charge. Seems to be going well so far the thing was at 4.3V now coming up nicely shouldn't take more than 30 min ish. Running on the bike it's meant to only take 7 min! Going to get it 2/3 full and put it on bike and jump start it see what happens for a laugh. Found dynavolt battery on ebay for £15.99 delivered rat cheap but I am not sinking money into another lithium or a nice gel one at this stage in the game when I might fry it! Good news is the Lithium one seems to be taking charge well unlike the crapy new lead acid one in the bike,. 

One set of wires (positive) will go to your crankcase, the others to earth on the battery.

Don't leave it to chance if it is your rectifier as a lad on a VFR at last years RTTW lost his bike when caught fire and his bike was soon gone. In fact I'd mentioned it on this thread, page 27.

Edited 21 April, 201610 yr by CWARD

One set of wires (positive) will go to your crankcase, the others to earth on the battery.

Don't leave it to chance if it is your rectifier as a lad on a VFR at last years RTTW lost his bike when caught fire and his bike was soon gone. In fact I'd mentioned it on this thread, page 27.

 

Rectifiers are a common problem on the VFR unfortunately! 

Lithium is taking the charge like a champ here should be plenty enough to start bike now and with a solid battery reconfirm drop in voltage when running plus let her run up for some of its own music. Tank bolts need replaced before I can take it back on road after today bahhhh

Well have the swing arm off the bike but could not remove one set of the bearings no matter what I tried. So have given it to a guy I know who has a press.

Well back from the funeral.  Good turn out including a lot on bikes from a motorbike club Dave set up some years ago in Boston that is still running.  Place was full and apart from going in to Status Quo who I can't stand it was a good service.  Two songs from Queen (much better) and a few words and that was it.  You don't get much for your money I guess.

 

Met a few faces from the past including a couple of blokes who I was crewed with in my Traffic days, one of which couldn't remember me but the I think he will be in his very late 70's to early 80's so no surprise there really.  I can promise you I am memorable!

 

Pleased I went to say my good byes even if it is some 27 years or so since we met.

 

Jane came with me and we declined the invitation to go to the 'do' after and came straight back home via Aldi for some shopping.  Back into real life immediately and onwards and upwards.  Sad to see old friends go but made new ones on here and that is good.  Life does indeed go on along with all it trials and tribulations so I hope you get your battery woes sorted Fuby.

 

Just shows what a small world it is as well.  Whilst we were waiting to go in Jane spoke to a women in there who she works with.  Neither of them were aware that the other were attending today.  Jane didn't know Dave and was only there at the last minute so she travels 40 odd miles to a funeral and meets someone from work.  Weird huh?

 

Oh and did manage to get an invite to a couples in Hornsea any time and there would be cake!!!!  I have know the Guy since my days in Boston as he used to be a Police rider alongside Dave in fact they were so alike they used to be named the terrible twins.  I have not seen him since 1977 but I was aware of where he was because his mother in law was one of the old folk I transported about to craft classes some years ago and I keep in touch with her.  So I have nott met the daughter until today and you would have thought I was a long lost cousin.

 

Have to admit I was a little sad yesterday and now I am back to my normal self (groans I hear) so you can all rest assured normal service has been resumed.

 

Lastly thanks for being there for me. :clap:

Glad you got through it Chris. They're not my thing either, especially if they're not close friends or relatives. 

Lithium taken off charger and put in bike read 13.00V plumbed into bike before trying to start. Started instantly with first turn. Then voltage didn't drop like before but grew to 13.78V, I put lights all on etc to increase load but it maintained the same voltage. With/without lights bringing it up to 4/5K rpm voltage lowered a bit to 13.35V. When I finally turned the music off for the neighbours battery in bike reading 13.29V and over the space of a minute settled down to about 13.25V put bike back in it's wee house and checked it again 13.18V.

 

So am I back to square one or what? Id think anything below 14.5 odd volts is an issue when bike running? Went over cabling no fraying or melting, connectors all looking bang tidy inside without corrosion etc. 

Does my nut in mate. Basically was wrapping old parts in bubble wrap (2x PCB's) putting them in a box and telling me theyre manufacturer reconditioned. After hours of rattling me brains, hes given me used, buggered, parts off other old boilers that hes taken out. So im on a wild goose chase tryns suss something out, when all ive actually done is replaced a knackered part for another knackered part.

Hmm. Id love to go out tomorrow! We'll see. You out on yours tomorrow?

 

I took SWMBO on the back for the 1st time today. Only 55 miles without the panyards on (as she calls them) and need to do some fettling to the intercom as I couldn't hear her - kept getting a echo as a mixture of the intercom and her direct which makes what she's saying incomprehensible...... she was a teacher so 'throws' her voice without realizing it. 

Enjoy the roads out this neck of the woods? I'd been out around the area most of the day as per normal. Give me a shout if you're ever out on a ride down this way and I can recommend a pub or two

 

If you mean Wales then yes, some of the best roads in the UK IMO, though the Worcester to Hereford road has some nice sets on bends on it  :clap:

 

The Road from Talgarth up to Builth is a peach- I'd not done that one before but I will do it again....The B4518 out of Rhayader is supposed to be a real cracker, but that'll be done without SWMBO on the back me thinks....

Lithium taken off charger and put in bike read 13.00V plumbed into bike before trying to start. Started instantly with first turn. Then voltage didn't drop like before but grew to 13.78V, I put lights all on etc to increase load but it maintained the same voltage. With/without lights bringing it up to 4/5K rpm voltage lowered a bit to 13.35V. When I finally turned the music off for the neighbours battery in bike reading 13.29V and over the space of a minute settled down to about 13.25V put bike back in it's wee house and checked it again 13.18V.

 

So am I back to square one or what? Id think anything below 14.5 odd volts is an issue when bike running? Went over cabling no fraying or melting, connectors all looking bang tidy inside without corrosion etc.

Try running an extra earth from the battery to frame/engine and see if it alters the readings.

If you mean Wales then yes, some of the best roads in the UK IMO, though the Worcester to Hereford road has some nice sets on bends on it  :clap:

 

The Road from Talgarth up to Builth is a peach- I'd not done that one before but I will do it again....The B4518 out of Rhayader is supposed to be a real cracker, but that'll be done without SWMBO on the back me thinks....

There are lots of very good roads through there and beyond. The coast road up the side of Wales through and into Snowdonia is especially good riding. Basically most of no all of Wales is great riding and this is from an halve Irish halve English person who has lived in Wales more than halve his life.