74 Honda cb550 Starter issue / good battery? i think

[j550]

OK, first off:

-clean carbs
-has been running fine recently
-new spark plugs
-Battery reads 12.5v cold
-electrical clutch switch has been disabled so it will start without the clutch pulled in

So, the two rides ago, the starter turned over a few times, and as usual the bike would start and stall twice, then it ran fine like usual. Later that ride after it was well-warm it stalled on me pulling up to a stop. The starter was having problems turning over, it tried a few times but clearly got weaker with every try until it just had an quiet electrical hum with no turn over. So I used the kick start.

Last night (cold start) the starter barely turned over once, and quickly went to a low electrical hum when I pushed the button. It sounds exactly like a dying battery. The lights still come on, and neutral light is just as bright.

So, I used a multi meter and it gave me a 12.5v reading cold this morning. Now I'm really confused. I figured the battery would be below 12v, and it would be a bad battery, or possibly problems with the charging system.

Nope, with a 12.5v reading it couldn't be a bad battery right? I'm pretty new to this and trying to trouble shoot.

Thanks for the help.

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by j550

Nope, with a 12.5v reading it couldn't be a bad battery right?

Wrong.
It likely IS a bad battery.
Unless one of the main cables has a bad connection, there is about a 90% chance that it is just the battery.
What voltage reading do you get with the bike running ??

P.S. You need to figure out why it stalls so much. Maybe you aren't leaving the choke on long enough......or you need to run some more carb cleaner through ????

[j550]

It might have been my multi meter, because I got a 12.5v cold, then turned the bike on (not running) and turned on the headlight and it dimmed and died in about 40 sec. So, with no battery I couldn't get it started to get a reading with it running. I'm trickle charging it now.

I guess one way to tell if it's the charging system is to drop $50 on a new battery, or do you think maybe a fresh charge will get me back in shape? I'm assuming it will probably keep happening, hence a bad battery.

PS-

while I've got your help, here is my idle issue / stalling.

It doesn't stall at the first few stops, but recently after I've been riding for about 10-15 min it might stall then. Usually starts right back up. Normal idle is about 900-500rpm, but after I've been riding it 15min+ it Idles at 2000 when I first engage the clutch, then will drop to 1500 when I'm stopped for a bit. After doing some reading on here, it seems like it might be a slight air leak?? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and where to start checking for a leak. My friend/mechanic took the carbs off and he said they looked fine, but he cleaned them anyway, so I can't imagine it's that. He has also done timing and tuning recently since I just bought it from him. So maybe there is a slight leak after he put the carbs back on.

Thanks so much for your speedy help.
Jimmy

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by j550

do you think maybe a fresh charge will get me back in shape? I'm assuming it will probably keep happening, hence a bad battery.

What I THINK doesn't matter; you need to get some good tests to PROVE what the problem is one way or another.

If the battery is more than 2 years old, you might as well figure on replacing it.......but you NEED to know whether the charging system is working or not.

As for the stalling problem......you need to get the electrical problem figured out first. THEN you need to run some carb cleaner (Berrymans B12 Chemtool is good) through with a tank full of gas. Then you need to adjust the idle speed when HOT to about 1200 (or whatever the book recommends) and then keep it there while cold by leaving the choke on a bit......for as long as it takes to hold that idle speed without the choke.

Have I aksed if you have a stock air filter in place ???

[j550]

will do those recommends. Yes, bought a new stock air filter a month ago.

Battery is probably more than 2yrs old. I'll get a new battery and I've already ordered a Battery Tender charger.

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by j550

Battery is probably more than 2yrs old. I'll get a new battery and I've already ordered a Battery Tender charger.

Good start. Your new battery needs to be fully charged BEFORE it is installed into the bike. That will be a good first use for your new tender.
Keep us posted on your progress.

[Chad W]

I am currently having the same problem with my starter clicking but not turning over... charging battery now but wanted to hear what the final problem solve was for this thread.

[markk53]

Try starting the bike by jumping it with a car battery (car NOT running of course). It will not hurt anything doing so, just proves good amperage to run the starter and ignition.

Now if the starter doesn't work you might just need to either replace the brushes if worn out or the entire starter.

If I remember right, when my Nighthawk S had the starter go "click" and not start (not sure if it clicked) I took apart the starter, had to get new brushes and also lightly turn the armature where the brushes rubbed.