nklr 1966 bmw r60/2

[prodxn]

I haven't ridden the KLR as often as I would have liked in the past 6 months or so, and I'll be the first to admit that. Due to the lack of riding, I consequently ruined 2 batteries that both discharged beyond the point of no return. I have since wised up and invested in a Battery Tender Jr. I got the leads installed with the new battery, topped off the charge and rode the bike to work the next day - all was good in the world again. The following day, I go out to ride to work, and all I get from the KLR is a "click" from what I guess is the starter, and the headlight and instrument/indicator lights go dark. Now, the bike is reacting like there's no juice coming from the battery, but the battery is still fully charged, according to the multimeter. After removing the battery, topping off with the tender, checking voltage and replacing, I give it another shot. This time I get little signs of life from the headlight and instrument lights - weak headlight and instrument lights that eventually fade to nothing. Then I start smelling sulfur. (This is a sealed, maintenance-free battery from Batteries Plus, by the way.) Well, I realize that the escaping odor of sulfur is not a good sign, so I return the battery and exchange it for a new one. After topping off the new battery with the tender, I install it in the bike, and the same thing happens - at first, there are strong headlight and instrument lights, but as soon as I hit the starter button, I get the "click" and darkness from the headlight and instrument lights. Sorry for the longwinded recount of events, but I didn't wanna leave anything out..... Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is this a common problem that I've just never heard about during my several years of monitoring the list? I'm stumped and frustrated. All fuses are fine, by the way. Thanks! James in Dallas A15

[Michael Martin]

James, Sounds like a bad connection.  I suspect the battery cables, both of them, at both ends.  Make sure the connections are clean and tight.  You're going to have to tighten them with something that applies more torque than a screwdriver, too. HTH Mike Martin, Louisville, KY [b]From:[/b] prodxn [b]To:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Mon, December 14, 2009 10:46:13 PM [b]Subject:[/b] [DSN_KLR650] battery?/starter? issue   at first, there are strong headlight and instrument lights, but as soon as I hit the starter button, I get the "click" and darkness from the headlight and instrument lights.

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "prodxn" wrote: I get the "click" and darkness from the headlight and instrument lights. > > Thanks! > James in Dallas > A15 > James- An old, wise, airplane mechanic told me once, 90% of all electrical problems are a ground problem. Think about 'ground'. First, check to see if your new battery is in fact at 12.6 v. It should be at 12.6 v min 24 hours after you take the charger off the battery. Then- Take a good look at your cables again. Make sure they are clean and tight at the battery AND where the ground cable connects to the bike. If there is any corrosion under the cable where it connects to the bike, you will not get a good ground. It has to be cleaned, treated, and reconnected. Then-- Follow your pos lead from the battery to the starter relay and make sure that is tight on both sides of the starter relay. DON'T touch a wrench to the frame while you are tightening the starter relay nuts. IRT to the your fuse observation--which is not an issue here as you state the starter clicks =low voltage/electrickery flow, just because there is no smoke in the glass fuse does not mean it is 4.0. revmaaatin.

[JAMES BUCK]

Thanks for the tip, rev!  I appreciate your suggestions.  The "electrickery" is the only thing I've struggled with in the few years that I've owned the KLR.  I'll follow up on your suggestions as soon as work allows. Thanks, again! James in Dallas A15

--- On [b]Tue, 12/15/09, revmaaatin [i][/i][/b] wrote: From: revmaaatin Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: battery?/starter? issue To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 12:17 AM   --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, "prodxn" wrote: I get the "click" and darkness from the headlight and instrument lights. > > Thanks! > James in Dallas > A15 > James- An old, wise, airplane mechanic told me once, 90% of all electrical problems are a ground problem. Think about 'ground'. First, check to see if your new battery is in fact at 12.6 v. It should be at 12.6 v min 24 hours after you take the charger off the battery. Then- Take a good look at your cables again. Make sure they are clean and tight at the battery AND where the ground cable connects to the bike. If there is any corrosion under the cable where it connects to the bike, you will not get a good ground. It has to be cleaned, treated, and reconnected. Then-- Follow your pos lead from the battery to the starter relay and make sure that is tight on both sides of the starter relay. DON'T touch a wrench to the frame while you are tightening the starter relay nuts. IRT to the your fuse observation- -which is not an issue here as you state the starter clicks =low voltage/electricker y flow, just because there is no smoke in the glass fuse does not mean it is 4.0. revmaaatin.

[spike55_bmw]

http://www.airheads.org/ This our club site. http://www.ibmwr.org/marketplace.shtml This is the broader 'all' BMW site. I don't know what the rules are for listing. I'm an Airhead member so I could help you there but not at the ibmwr site. Don R100, A6F

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bali_blu" wrote: > > My late brother-in-law left my sister a beautiful 1966 R60/2 with a Duna sidecar. She needs to sell it and asked me to help. I know some of you KLRistas are in the airhead world and may be interested/know of a good place to post. I will have more info in a few days. He was an avid vintage bike/car nut and did everything "right", so don't expect a piece of junk, or to get a killer deal from an unknowing widow. I haven't seen it in a few years but I know it is almost perfect. It is located in the SF bay area and I will be there over Christmas to visit the family (AND the bike!). If she can't get pictures to me by then, then I will get some while there. > > Roger >