GB battery dead?

[SpankMe]

A week or so ago the lights on my GB500 dials only came on when the engine was running. Bike still kick started ok. Electric start packed in years ago. Now yesterday the engine wont even turn over. The battery is only a few months old.

I'm not leaving the lights on, so what could be draining it? and is it worth getting the battery charged, or should I buy a new one?

[smoky]

Show me a GB500 with a starter motor that still works - ha

My guess would be either an earth leakage problem, or a regulator issue - I'm not sure how the voltage is regulated on the GB but some one will know - swap it out and see if that sorts the problem out. If not then look for a wire thats on the return loop or a part of the loom that has moisture in it. Earth leakage problems can be pricks to find.
If the battery is going flat while your riding - then thats probably a regulator issue, if its going flat in between rides then it's probably a earth leakage problem

Until you get it sorted you could just charge the battery up on a proper charger, if it is a regulator issue it may not be getting charged properly - hence going flat all the time - charging a flat battery while riding will often only result in a surface charge in the battery - so charge it with a trickle charger. (you can buy a battery conditioner you plug in)
Then disconnect the battery after you've been for a ride - when it's sitting around

[vifferman]

If I remember correctly, one of the not uncommon causes of voltage leakage is through faulty electric starters...
Anyway, Ash - you didn't say how old your battery is, and how far you ride. It may be simply that you're not running it long enough to become fully charged, so each time you ride it (especially if the battery is getting a bit old, or the electrolyte levels are lowish), it's not getting charged enough. You could try giving it a charge, and check the voltage. It should be around 12.7V if it's a newish battery, otherwise at least 12.4. If it's less than that it's knackered.

[SpankMe]

The battery is only about 2 months old and the bike gets ridden only about once a week for about 40kms.

[avgas]

How old is the battery spank?
They are only good for about 1-2 years unless ridden regularly (weekly) for at least 30 minutes.

[avgas]

The battery is only about 2 months old and the bike gets ridden only about once a week for about 40kms.
Did you charge is properly when you first installed it?.........you may have a dead cell.
also how are the fluids in the cells

[SpankMe]

No idea. Any work on the bike is done by Colemans. I don't know shit about bike mechanics.

[FJRider]

Take the battery in to be checked ... should still be under warranty ... if its buggered.

[BuzzardNZ]

I've owned 3 GB400's, and when the battery died, I never bothered replacing it, as it was so easy to kcikstart.
I agree on the comment about the electric start, all 3 died on me.

[SpankMe]

Well I gave the GB another go today and it started first kick. Tried it several times, and it started ok every time. Dial lights still only come on when the engine is running.