Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery? - Page 2

mrlmd1 · 12-29-2011, 07:46 PM

You don't have to keep the garage doors open. Nothing is going to explode.Stop worrying so much, you will never be able to do anything.
Attach the correct colored wires - red to positive, black or blue to negative, underneath the screws on the battery terminals and lead the wire and plug to hang down underneath the seat or side cover or inside the side cover where they are accessible. In the event you need to charge the battery again, then you just plug the charger cable into the plug (not using the battery clamps). Very simple when you look at it.
Check the oil level in your site glass on the right side of the engine, with the bike upright, not leaning on the sidestand. You may need someone to help you do this if you can't hold the bike upright by yourself. If the oil level is right where it was before this happened, there is not a significant amount of gas in it and you could probably leave it 'till the next regularly scheduled oil change (every 3000 miles). You can also pull the dipstick and smell it - if it doesn't smell like gas, don't worry about it. The amount of gas you would get in there would be very small doing what you did.

Water Warrior 2 · 12-29-2011, 09:01 PM

Chim, you found a really fine price for the Battery Tender. Even at the regular price they are a bargain in my opinion.

Gz Rider · 12-29-2011, 10:16 PM

...

Rookie Rider · 12-29-2011, 11:53 PM

Yeahhhhhh, what dipstick ?

alantf · 12-30-2011, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

lead the wire and plug to hang down underneath the seat or side cover or inside the side cover where they are accessible.

With the gz, I've found it better to lead it into the "tool box" under the seat. That way it keeps the connector dry, & you don't need to remove the side panel every time you want to charge the battery. :2tup:

Gz Rider · 12-30-2011, 10:28 AM

...

mrlmd1 · 12-30-2011, 10:37 AM

I meant to say remove the oil fill cap, not the dipstick. Brain fart - probably thinking of my lawnmower or some other small engine.

Chim · 12-30-2011, 05:11 PM

Well, I went out this morning and it looks like my bike is starting again!

I left it to charge overnight and installed the harness this morning (I lead it into the plastic box under the seat as alantf suggested- thanks!), then tried starting it and, although tentatively at first, it seems he is now back to running as usual! Such a relief!

I want to thank all of you again for taking the time to help me out with this- I know I've been a bit of an overly cautious pain. :whistle: But I'm just glad he's back to working as he should, and I didn't seriously damage anything! Not only that, I now know how to charge my battery- which should be even easier next time with the harness installed.

Thank you all so much! Now to get back to practicing those slow speed turns... this time with my eyes UP!

Thanks!

blaine · 12-30-2011, 05:19 PM

Good to hear.You can start slowly learning some maintenance such as,checking tire pressure, cleaning & adjusting chain,changing oil,lubing cables,and cleaning the air filter.There are lots of tips in the manual,and if you have a question just ask.Good luck.

:2tup:

Chim · 12-30-2011, 06:07 PM

Thanks! I do plan to learn as much as I can about my bike, I guess I'm just nervous! I really really really don't want to break anything, but I know that, as mrlmd1 said, if I keep worrying so much, I'll never be able to do anything! I couldn't even get the side cover off to get to the battery until I finally decided just to give it a good yank- and then it popped right off! I thought it was screwed on from the inside or something and I couldn't figure out how to get to the 'screws' until I felt it kind of loosening and figured I should try pulling it off instead. So, yeah, I know my being so nervous makes me hold back when I should just try something. Now that I'm learning, though, guess I'll just have to give these things a shot! No way to go but forward, huh?

Next thing I plan to do is clean some of this rust off the chrome, as the previous owner already did a lot of maintenance before he delivered the bike. (Changed the oil+filter, fork seals, and battery; lubed the chain; had the carb cleaned and synced.)

12-29-2011, 07:46 PM	#11
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery You don't have to keep the garage doors open. Nothing is going to explode.Stop worrying so much, you will never be able to do anything. Attach the correct colored wires - red to positive, black or blue to negative, underneath the screws on the battery terminals and lead the wire and plug to hang down underneath the seat or side cover or inside the side cover where they are accessible. In the event you need to charge the battery again, then you just plug the charger cable into the plug (not using the battery clamps). Very simple when you look at it. Check the oil level in your site glass on the right side of the engine, with the bike upright, not leaning on the sidestand. You may need someone to help you do this if you can't hold the bike upright by yourself. If the oil level is right where it was before this happened, there is not a significant amount of gas in it and you could probably leave it 'till the next regularly scheduled oil change (every 3000 miles). You can also pull the dipstick and smell it - if it doesn't smell like gas, don't worry about it. The amount of gas you would get in there would be very small doing what you did. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-29-2011, 09:01 PM	#12
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery Chim, you found a really fine price for the Battery Tender. Even at the regular price they are a bargain in my opinion.
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12-29-2011, 10:16 PM	#13
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk* Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-29-2011, 11:53 PM	#14
Rookie Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 1,263	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery Yeahhhhhh, what dipstick ?
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12-30-2011, 10:28 AM	#16
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk*
	0

12-30-2011, 10:37 AM	#17
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery I meant to say remove the oil fill cap, not the dipstick. Brain fart - probably thinking of my lawnmower or some other small engine.
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12-30-2011, 05:11 PM	#18
Chim Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 16	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery Well, I went out this morning and it looks like my bike is starting again! I left it to charge overnight and installed the harness this morning (I lead it into the plastic box under the seat as alantf suggested- thanks!), then tried starting it and, although tentatively at first, it seems he is now back to running as usual! Such a relief! I want to thank all of you again for taking the time to help me out with this- I know I've been a bit of an overly cautious pain. :whistle: But I'm just glad he's back to working as he should, and I didn't seriously damage anything! Not only that, I now know how to charge my battery- which should be even easier next time with the harness installed. Thank you all so much! Now to get back to practicing those slow speed turns... this time with my eyes UP! Thanks!
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12-30-2011, 05:19 PM	#19
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery Good to hear.You can start slowly learning some maintenance such as,checking tire pressure, cleaning & adjusting chain,changing oil,lubing cables,and cleaning the air filter.There are lots of tips in the manual,and if you have a question just ask.Good luck. :2tup: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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12-30-2011, 06:07 PM	#20
Chim Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 16	Re: Dropped bike, now it won't start/How do I charge battery Thanks! I do plan to learn as much as I can about my bike, I guess I'm just nervous! I really really really don't want to break anything, but I know that, as mrlmd1 said, if I keep worrying so much, I'll never be able to do anything! I couldn't even get the side cover off to get to the battery until I finally decided just to give it a good yank- and then it popped right off! I thought it was screwed on from the inside or something and I couldn't figure out how to get to the 'screws' until I felt it kind of loosening and figured I should try pulling it off instead. So, yeah, I know my being so nervous makes me hold back when I should just try something. Now that I'm learning, though, guess I'll just have to give these things a shot! No way to go but forward, huh? Next thing I plan to do is clean some of this rust off the chrome, as the previous owner already did a lot of maintenance before he delivered the bike. (Changed the oil+filter, fork seals, and battery; lubed the chain; had the carb cleaned and synced.)
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