Motorcycle Repair: 1997 ZX6R Electrical from battery replacement, commando style, fuse box

Question
Hi.

We replaced the battery in the Ninja and had a little hard time getting the negative wires connected (but finally succeeded) and placed the battery back in its compartment. When we turned the key and tried to start, it tried to turn over, but only the VERY first time; after that it just clicked at the fuse box. We don't have a meter to measure the wiring at particular points. Any basic suggestions? We double checked ALL the fuses and made sure the connections were secure.

We had jump-started the bike with a car when we realized we needed a new battery, and I'm wondering if we may have fried something - except that when we first turned it on it tried a little... now it just clicks. Could it be at the junction box?

Any suggestions aside from "get your meter and figure out where the electric dies" would be great. If we can't do it commando-style we're taking it in.

~Tiffan

Answer
Hi Tiffan.

You may need to take it in anyway.  The "getting a meter" idea, however I will suggest.  They aren't that expensive and you will find it useful for other electrical problems as well.

 However, I seriously doubt that a meter will be much help (but it will be some) for figuring out this problem.

 You will need the repair manual and see if there are testing specs for the bike's electronic ignition as well as needing to check the fuses.

 Also check the battery with a hydrometer.  I know that it's a new battery, but there could be an issue.

 Also go through the battery's connections as well as the main fuse.  Make sure that everything is tight and there are no frayed wires going to the battery; positive or negetive.

I suspect that when you jumpstarted the bike from the car, the car was running.  This is NEVER recommended.

You can jumpstart from a car, but ONLY with the car turned OFF.  If the engine is running, then it can cause serious problems with the brainbox as well as other systems because a car's generator is producing far more power than the bike's system can safely handle.  Kind of like hooking a flashlight up to a 220V circuit, only worse.

Start there and see what you find.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON