OK...

So about a month ago I had to replace the radiator fan on my bike. The old one's plastic blades melted off of the fan motor's shaft.

Anyway, I took my bike apart to replace the fan, which involved taking off the left, right, and front fairings. I had to unplug two plugs. One that connects my headlights and instrument panel to the battery, and the one that connects the radiator fan to the thermostat.

About three weeks later I received the new fan for the bike. During the three weeks my bike set in pieces. Don't ask me why, but I did not disconnect my battery during all of this...

Once I replaced the fan I started to put the fenders back on. I pretty much had everything back together when I decided that I would try turning the bike on to see if the new fan is working. When I turned the ignition key to On, the lights came on no problem but my tachometer didn't rev up like it normally does and my digital display had nothing on it either. Also, when I tried to start the bike, the starter wouldn't even budge, it wouldn't turn or anything... I checked all of my fuses, they looked OK. I tested my battery and I was getting a solid 12VDC so I didn't know what to think of it.

Well, I had to go out of town for work for another week so it just set there for another week (with battery connected). Yesterday I came back home and i was going to work on it again. Now when I turn the key to On, my headlights won't even come on anymore, but when I turn the ignition key to Off my tachometer revs up. Here's a video of what my bike does now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnIPRer0FtA

I am hoping that it's just my battery needing charged. I mean could I have screwed something up this bad by replacing the fan? Mind you, my front fender isn't completely put back on yet. Could it be a grounding issue of some kind since my front fender is still needing a couple of more bolts put back on??? I am lost and upset. I live up north so I have like maybe another week left of the season and I want to ride a couple of more times.... I was going to stop and get a charger on my way home from work today...

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

 

Did you load test the battery? Hook the electrical leads up to the battery with the key on and press the start button and watch the reading. Charge your battery first, start simple.....

 

No, I did not load test the battery. I just measured it with the key Off. I didn't think that that would make a difference. I am going to pick up the charger and give it a try. I am going to swing buy Walmart I think. Should I get a lower Amp or higher Amp 12V charger? Someone told me that the lower the Amps, the slower it charges but the easier it is on the battery... Is that true? I don't mind waiting on it overnight as long as it's better for my bike...

 

slow charge is usually better for any battery

 

Cool...so what, like a .75 Amp or maybe a 1.25 Amp instead?

 

yeah id do something like that trickle/maintainer charger, like 2 amp or less, just my opinion tho.

 

OK...Got a $27 charger at Walmart. After charging for 1 minute on the 2 Amp setting the bike started right up... I was hoping that that's all it was! Thanks a bunch for everyone's help!!!!!!!!!!

 

battery tenders are a great thing. If I can't ride for a week or two she gets plugged in and is ready when I come home from vacation or what not.