Guzzi no go,...dammit

**nudemetalz** · 11th March 2008, 07:31

Greetings,

I took the Guzzi to work yesterday as I was running a little late.
Anway, I parked up, locked the steering as per usual.

Come 5pm, came out to the bike turned on the ignition, hmmm that's strange,no whirrring noises,....push the starter and nothing...
The idiots lights go out which indicates a flat battery.
Oh bugger !!! I turned the ignition key right around and left the park light on all day !!!!

Thinking now, what do I do...ring Jim2, buggrrit, he's already home.

Just then, a nice fellah is about to hop onto his Bandit in the park so I rush up to him and ask if he can give me a push.
No worries.
This is going to look good next to all of the bus full of people in peak hour-traffic. Can hear them all now "Typical Italian bike, should have bought a reliable Japanese bike !!".

2nd gear, selected run along bump,..pop fart (the bike that is), nope, push more...pop, jump not quite,...run a bit more,..pop ..yay she's running !!!! The Guzzi has a fair bit of compression and I don't recommend push-starting as daily routine !!

Hold it on 2K rpm while I thank the nice guy. Right, not stopping now til I get home.

Got it out the garage this morning for Mrs Nudie to take to work,...hmmm,...will it start?
Cranks over, but just not enough to go.

Question is,...it has one of those sealed batteries, can they be recharged with a normal battery charger?

**scumdog** · 11th March 2008, 07:37

I've done it successfully.

But no responsibilty taken if YOU don't have the same luck.

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th March 2008, 07:37

I'd say yes....but might pay to remove from bike and set up on charge outside where it won't matter if it goes pop. Best let it charge for 12 hours, since it is so drained.

**scumdog** · 11th March 2008, 07:39

Forgot: It is likely the battery will have a shorter usable life now since it was flattened.

**eliot-ness** · 11th March 2008, 07:52

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Question is,...it has one of those sealed batteries, can they be recharged with a normal battery charger?

Yep, they are rechargable. 1hour at 4amps or 5hours at 1 amp. Disconnect battery leads first, better to remove battery from bike. If you are using 4 amps don't leave it on too long, 1 hour is the maximum.

**nadroj** · 11th March 2008, 07:55

Originally Posted by scumdog

Forgot: It is likely the client will have a shorter usable life now since they was flattened.

Customer service quote Scummy?

**Devil** · 11th March 2008, 08:07

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Question is,...it has one of those sealed batteries, can they be recharged with a normal battery charger?

Ah fun and games. Yes, can be charged, best to go with a slower charger.
Once charged, let it settle for 30 mins or so then check the voltage. May need replacing...

**nudemetalz** · 11th March 2008, 08:52

Thanks for the advice, peoples.

The battery is about 14 months old. I got it not long after I bought the bike and had some minor electrical issues with it (it is a Guzzi after all !!).

I'll remove it and have a go at charging it tonight. At the end of the day, if it needs replacing then I shall have to.

**madbikeboy** · 11th March 2008, 08:53

Ahh, 12 hours would fun. Maybe a little less. 5 amp battery, 2.5 charger, so long as ohms law is still the same, divide the 2.5 amp charger into the 5 amp battery - sounds like 2 hours to me. Double check and DONT OVERCHARGE.

Remove the battery from the bike, choose somewhere well ventilated. Don't stand or look directly over the battery. Turn the charger off at the wall before connecting or disconnecting the leads.

The Guzzi is a big bike to crank for a little battery - you'll likely be okay unless the cells reverse charged.

**Mikkel** · 11th March 2008, 10:45

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Thanks for the advice, peoples.

The battery is about 14 months old. I got it not long after I bought the bike and had some minor electrical issues with it (it is a Guzzi after all !!).

I'll remove it and have a go at charging it tonight. At the end of the day, if it needs replacing then I shall have to.

Check your receipt from the battery purchase. If it is shot it may still be covered by warranty. We got a new battery for the car in september and that came with a 3 year warranty.

Worth a look at least.

**Swoop** · 11th March 2008, 10:48

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Thanks for the advice, peoples.

Good to see the bike being used!
I was wondering what happened and whether you were back in the saddle again.

**nudemetalz** · 11th March 2008, 11:16

Originally Posted by Swoop

Good to see the bike being used!
I was wondering what happened and whether you were back in the saddle again.

ha ha,...that's when I can keep it running !!!!
Mrs Nudie rides it 95% of the time, so it still gets used.
She has no problem with flattening the battery !!!

**Swoop** · 11th March 2008, 11:18

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

ha ha,...that's when I can keep it running !!!!
Mrs Nudie rides it 95% of the time, so it still gets used.
She has no problem with flattening the battery !!!

But you are back riding again?

**nudemetalz** · 11th March 2008, 11:21

In very small doses on road.

However, I ride my XR off-road and Nasty's and my bucket project is coming along well so shall be riding that (if she lets me !!).

**martybabe** · 11th March 2008, 14:12

Well done mate, could have been worse.I did the same thing but went off and climbed a mountain, 6 hours later came back to a dead mobike in the middle of nowheresville. No phone signal,just tumble weed and sheep for assistance. I could slap myself sometimes.

Yay the bandit bloke, top man, where the frick were ya when I needed ya.