Motorcycle Repair: 1985 honda scooter elite 250, honda scooter, correct polarity

Question
I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND IT STARTED FINE FOR A FEW DAY'S THEN IT WOULD NOT START AND WHEN I PRESSED THE STARTER BUTTON AN ELECTICAL SPARK CAME OFF THE NEG.POST TO THE FRAME.I DID CHECK THE GROUND WIRE TO THE ENGINE.THIS SPARK FROM THE BATTERY HAS ME STUMPED .IT WAS WORKING OK BEFORE I INSTALLED THE NEW BATTERY,COULD IT BE A BAD BATTERY? THANKS FOR ANY INFO. ON THIS  RALPH

Answer
Ralph, battery arcing is not an indication of a bad battery. It would seem to be a failed ground connection from the battery to chassis ground. The battery must be grounded to the chassis and the engine, possibly through two different circuit paths. Ground connections must be clean and tight.

I'm hoping you didn't put the battery in backwards..... ??? If it worked for a few days it should have the correct polarity. Either the ground path has opened up or the charging system is not keeping the battery fully charged.

Bill Silver