Hi all,
Background:
I've had my 2006 GSX-R 600 for around a year and have done approximately 5,000 kms on it. It has 25,000 kms on it total and is in overall fantastic condition. It is always stored inside a garage and the outdoor ambient temperature rarely goes below 8*c, indoor probably 12*c or higher.
When I first purchased the bike around a year ago, the first thing I did was relocate the regulator/rectifier to the side mount position, as the stock position behind the radiator/next to headers is known to cause overheating problems.
In the year I've owned it, I've never had any starting issues, never had an instance where the bike has died. There have been at least half a dozen occasions where I haven't used the bike for 2-3 weeks and when I've gone to start it, it's started immediately without issue.
The Problem:
I tried to start the bike today after not using it for around 2 and a half weeks and it immediately failed to start. The bike was left for this 2-3 week period with the key in the "off" position but key left in the ignition, killswitch in "off position" and all lights/switches off.
When trying to start it today with the key in, ignition on, in neutral and brake held in all I got was a clicking sound (the classic weak battery sound) when holding the starter button down. The fuel pump didn't prime, the gauge cluster was illuminated and the headlight was very weak.
I checked all of the fuses and they are fine.
I tried bump starting it, but it didn't work and after a few attempts the gauge cluster stopped illuminating completely.
I then used a car to jump-start it and it started fine while attached to the jumper leads; after waiting 30 seconds I then removed the jumper leads and the bike died and wouldn't start on its own.
I reconnected the jumper leads, started the bike and left it connected and running for about 2 minutes. I then removed the jumper leads and the bike continued running for about 2 minutes before it died and again, wouldn't start on its own.
I've now gone out and purchased a battery charger and am waiting for it to charge. The battery (lead acid type) is approximately 4,000 kms or around 4 years old.
Question:
Is this simply a flat battery from lack of use or is there something wrong with the charging system eg: regulator/rectifier and/or stator? If the latter, how can I go about testing these?
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