What's happening with my battery?

[MikeH1A]

After recently buying a bike (that had sat for a while ... or maybe longer than a while ) I charged the battery up. This started the Buffalo on the electric start and also the bike kicked over easily to start. Left her for a week or so and when I turned the key, there was no neutral light or power. By pressing the horn, there was a faint, vestigial noise but nothing anywhere else. So, I took the battery out and put it on the charger. The charger immediately lit up to say the battery was fully charged This doesn't correspond with the power situation on the bike.

Is my battery buggered and if so, why is the charger telling me it's fully charged? Or, have I developed an electrical fault?

If I need a new battery, what's the recommended one for a 72 Buffalo - as per manual or is there something newer and better?

Thanks, Mike

[TLRam1]

The battery can act like that and when you put a load on it I guess the plates inside short out. Go with AGM sealed battery, I will have to look at what I have in my 74 Buffalo, manual calls for a 14 Amp Hour.

[TLRam1]

I have like this size in my 74 Buffalo, a little larger than the manual calls for but it fits.

The first three below are the same other than different mfg's and the last two one you add the acid and the other comes ready to go out of the box.

Yuasa sealed (you add the supplied acid, than seal)
http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servle ... nce/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

WPS sealed
http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servle ... ree/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


WPS Factory sealed (you add no acid)
http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servle ... ard/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Manual calls for this battery
http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servle ... nce/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MikeH1A]

Thanks for the info. I think I shall replace the battery - don't really know how long its been in the bike (or how it was cared for). I shall go hunting tomorrow and see what I can find.

[advant63]

mike, do you have a repair shop (or other means) nearby to test the battery. if it falls on its face under a load then spend your money.
have you thoroughly checked your grounds and connectors. i had a run of gremlins in my wiring until i went through it.
it will be time well spent.

[TLRam1]

mike, do you have a repair shop (or other means) nearby to test the battery. if it falls on its face under a load then spend your money.
have you thoroughly checked your grounds and connectors. i had a run of gremlins in my wiring until i went through it.
it will be time well spent.

Throw a volt meter on the battery and hit the starter, should hang around 10 volts, probably no lower than 9 volts on a fully charged battery.

[MikeH1A]

Battery was deader than the proverbial Dodo. Got a new one and she started up easily with nice bright headlight and loud horn

Thanks for the advice.

[TLRam1]

Still be good to check the charging system.