QuestionMy 1981 Virago starts and runs fine with booster cables attached from another battery. When I remove the cable from either pos. or neg. post, the engine spits and sputters and eventually dies. Why is this happening and what can I do to fix this problem?
Answer
Hi Joshua,
First thing to do is make sure your battery is strong
and this is done by having a load test done on it after
getting it fully charged up.
Most auto or cycle shops can do this or refer
you to someone that can.
Batteries can read over 12 volts and still be weak.
Second thing is to get a multimeter and check if your
charging system is working.
Set the meter on DC volts and run the bike
about 2000 rpm. Check the voltage on the battery posts.
Keep the cables tight and clean as well.
It should read between 14 and 15 volts DC.
If it goes under that then you may have to check the output
of the stator charging coils. You can get back to me on that
if it fails the basic voltage test.
So, check the battery and test the voltage output.
Let me know if you need other info.
Wayne S.
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