QuestionI have a 1999 Honda Rebel that unfortunately has to be kept outside year around. It has 5000 miles on it and currently a dead battery. I can connect a jump start kit to it and it will fire right off and run smooth, but when I disconnect the jump start kit the lights dim almost out. Naturally I thought this was just due to the battery being dead and rode it for a few (25 or so) mies to see if it would charge up. No luck and the lights only got dimmer as I drove.
The real puzzler is that if I drop the bike to an idle or if while ridding I engage the hand break or foot break just enough to turn on the break lights they come back up to almost the same brightness as with the jump start kit connected. I have pulled the seat tank and wiring cover under the light and find no sign of wiring damage or corrosion, the battery terminals are clean, all the lights work with the jumper hooked up. It doesn't seem to loose power the more I drive it or anything. I am kinda at a loss as to what to even check! Would the low battery cause this and perhaps not be kicking on the charging system or something? Could the dead battery have killed the charging system?
Thanks for any and all the help you can give!
AnswerHi Nate,
The answer to both questions is yes.
Also, jump starting your motorcycle with a larger vehicle battery can damage the MC's electrics, especially if the larger vehicle's engine is running.
Get a new battery and have it properly serviced prior to installing into the Rebel. This includes filling a dry battery and then properly charging it before use.
Get a repair manual and learn about troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing your MC. The manual will pay for itself with the first work you perform, usually.
Visit Electro Sport's website and check out their Fault Finding Chart:
www.electrosport.com/electrosport_fault_finding.html
I return tech information files by email. There was no email address with your question as requested and explained in my instructions.
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
