Interesting starting problem

[Ixion]

Yep. Battery's poked. They do that sometimes, recover their charge when y' leave them to sit for a while. Dunno why, and they don't always.

It may be that the charging system design is a bit on the tight side on those bikes (a lot of bikes that era were) and only *just* copes normally with the load with lights on (ie amperage, not voltage). And a brighter than standard headlamp bulb could push it over , so that the battery is slowly draining when running with lights on. Good battery, no problems, it'll last all night anyway, but if the battery's fragile too, it's all too much for it.

Trip to Ripco I reckon. IMHO.

[imdying]

Yep, sounds battery. Take it out and get it load tested by a battery shop... say the one on Barbadoes Lichfield corner?

[Sniper]

Mainland batteries? Yep I think I might pop down to them today. Tonight, valve clearances are going to be checked and then hopefully have her all back together for the weekend.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Sniper]

Just a question, shouldn't the voltage change when I rev the bike?

[F5 Dave]

Ideally not. The alternator should produce enough voltage from low revs & regulator limit that voltage from exceeding too high a voltage.