Thanks for all the good advice. I am also convinced it's a charging problem at this point. Took me five miles today before leaving me stranded with a dead battery after a full charge. Got her to the shop for a formal diagnosis, so I'll keep all up to date.
On Jun 11, 5:55 pm, "Aldo" <[email protected]> wrote: > Sounds like your charging system took a dump... The tell is that everything > works with a good charge before you start the bike. And while you are riding > the battery is being charged intermittently. Off the bat, we know your > connections to all lights and ignition systems are ok. This is a good thing > :) but good practice to check/clean them anyway. > > You need to take care of the charging system first. You obviously want that > to be charging at all times while the bike is running. My bet is that will > solve your problem. You may need a new battery after that is done because > they tend to lose there ability to hold a charge after being drained so many > times... We are troubleshooting here so once that is done let us know what > happened and we'll go from there. > > Peace & grease! ~Aldo > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of dustin-t > Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 6:03 PM > To: Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers! > Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Lights/Battery/Charging System > > Hello all, > > I've had a look around and I can tell I am going to be visiting this > forum VERY often with all the good info. Anyway, it seems someone here > can probably point be in the right direction, which I would very much > appreciate... > > I just bought my first bike, an 83 Nighthawk 550. Mechanically it > seems very solid, runs and starts right up (with a full charge). The > strange stuff is with the lights/charging. > > With a fresh charge, BEFORE I start the bike I am getting all lights > (blinkers, headlight, brake light, everything). However, after I start > the bike I am getting nothing but a headlight and neutral light, and > occasionally the horn. > > The other night, I fired her up and had nothing, and then after 10+ > minutes at idle with full to half choke, I suddenly got everything > back. However, that hasn't been repeated and I can't seem to get > lights again while the bike is running, even after a couple miles > around the block. Instead, after two miles the battery was totally > dead and the bike wouldn't even turn over. > > I've been taking the battery out and recharging it, and have it setup > now for the night. > > I really appreciate any suggestions for troubleshooting! I'll keep you > informed of progress... > > Thanks, > Dustin > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG -www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.62/2168 - Release Date: 06/10/09 > 18:30:00 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
