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Shinglejohn · 07-22-2009, 03:33 PM

A friend of mine owns a 75 rd200 that ran fine for several months after she bought it and installed a new battery. One day it died while we were on a ride. After recharging the battery and doing a check of the charging system according to the chart ifound in the hot topics section of this site, everything checked out. We went on a 30 mile ride that day and the bike was fine. The next day, the battery didnt have enough juice to turn the starter.

The bike did start on a kick and i took it about 2 miles, it ran fine.

any ideas as to were to go from here?

Kenneth_Moore · 07-22-2009, 03:40 PM

When the bike is running, put a volt meter on the battery terminals. It should be at least 13 volts. If it's not, you aren't charging. If it is, you may need a new battery. BTW: new batteries MUST be charged overnight. Regardless of what the vendor says.

Shinglejohn · 07-22-2009, 03:46 PM

The output checked out and the battery was charged at 1amp for 12 hours

The_AirHawk · 07-22-2009, 03:47 PM

+1 to Ken. I must add more words to post this.

Shinglejohn · 07-22-2009, 04:41 PM

But seriously though... she is way more cute ON the bike, so.... how do i fix this!(?)

The_AirHawk · 07-22-2009, 05:38 PM

You've cleaned and tightened both battery terminals, checked the "ground" (negative) bonding-wire termination - no crud, corrosion, or paint, good -N- tite, right?

You're getting say 14-14.5-volts at 2500-3500rpm, right?

Does the bike "sit" often? How old is the battery? A year? Two years? (I know you said she bought a new one - but new WHEN)

I've had batteries last less than a year, and have others that are going-on 7 years.

Shinglejohn · 07-22-2009, 05:52 PM

i disconnected all the connections and cleaned them with contact cleaner and re-connected them securely. the battery terminals and ground included.

The bike is putting out 13.5-6 at 2500 rpm and 14.5-6 at 5000.

The battery was brand new 3 moths ago, although I did not install it. So i do not know how it was charged initially. But it was definatley NEW 3 months ago.

923julia · 07-22-2009, 06:13 PM

It is nice !

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pplassm · 07-22-2009, 08:08 PM

IIRC, that bike used a combination generator/starter that performed both functions. They were temperamental and not very strong when new. If you're getting charge out opf it, and it runs with the kickstarter, I'd say that you are doing pretty good for a 34 year old bike.

Shinglejohn · 07-23-2009, 10:29 AM

but then the battery dies anyhow...

07-22-2009, 03:33 PM	#1
Shinglejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 73	rd200 carging problem A friend of mine owns a 75 rd200 that ran fine for several months after she bought it and installed a new battery. One day it died while we were on a ride. After recharging the battery and doing a check of the charging system according to the chart ifound in the hot topics section of this site, everything checked out. We went on a 30 mile ride that day and the bike was fine. The next day, the battery didnt have enough juice to turn the starter. The bike did start on a kick and i took it about 2 miles, it ran fine. any ideas as to were to go from here?

07-22-2009, 03:40 PM	#2
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	When the bike is running, put a volt meter on the battery terminals. It should be at least 13 volts. If it's not, you aren't charging. If it is, you may need a new battery. BTW: new batteries MUST be charged overnight. Regardless of what the vendor says. __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

07-22-2009, 03:47 PM	#4
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	+1 to Ken. I must add more words to post this. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

07-22-2009, 05:38 PM	#6
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	You've cleaned and tightened both battery terminals, checked the "ground" (negative) bonding-wire termination - no crud, corrosion, or paint, good -N- tite, right? You're getting say 14-14.5-volts at 2500-3500rpm, right? Does the bike "sit" often? How old is the battery? A year? Two years? (I know you said she bought a new one - but new WHEN) I've had batteries last less than a year, and have others that are going-on 7 years. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

07-22-2009, 06:13 PM	#8
923julia Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	Wow ! It is nice ! Wholesale Trade online, Jordan Shoes, Ugg Boot, Adidas Shoes, Cheap Plus Free Shipping. - Wholesale Online

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07-22-2009, 03:46 PM	#3
Shinglejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 73	The output checked out and the battery was charged at 1amp for 12 hours

07-22-2009, 04:41 PM	#5
Shinglejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 73	But seriously though... she is way more cute ON the bike, so.... how do i fix this!(?)

07-22-2009, 05:52 PM	#7
Shinglejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 73	i disconnected all the connections and cleaned them with contact cleaner and re-connected them securely. the battery terminals and ground included. The bike is putting out 13.5-6 at 2500 rpm and 14.5-6 at 5000. The battery was brand new 3 moths ago, although I did not install it. So i do not know how it was charged initially. But it was definatley NEW 3 months ago.

07-22-2009, 08:08 PM	#9
pplassm Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,875	IIRC, that bike used a combination generator/starter that performed both functions. They were temperamental and not very strong when new. If you're getting charge out opf it, and it runs with the kickstarter, I'd say that you are doing pretty good for a 34 year old bike. __________________ Mongo just pawn in game of life.

07-23-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
Shinglejohn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 73	but then the battery dies anyhow...