Just a note, but when I changed my battery a few months back I found that the bike ran generally better as well.I think just having a weak or tired battery can affect certain parts of the electrical system when running.I'd like to be more specific, but all I know is I certainly noticed a difference.
Quote from: Jules-C on 13 January 2017, 06:33:34 amIf the battery is never allowed to go flat it can last well over 10 years. I replaced mine after 10 years after I fitted heated grips because they would switch off with the engine idling at traffic lights. The new battery made no difference. But AGM batteries do not like going flat and being asked to deliver high currents when partially discharged. Just one occasion of carrying on trying to start an engine until the battery won't turn the engine over or the solenoid clicks can ruin a battery and it won't hold a charge properly again. Just common sense says it would appreciate a new one after 10 years though, i don't even understand why anyone is even questioning it?
If the battery is never allowed to go flat it can last well over 10 years. I replaced mine after 10 years after I fitted heated grips because they would switch off with the engine idling at traffic lights. The new battery made no difference. But AGM batteries do not like going flat and being asked to deliver high currents when partially discharged. Just one occasion of carrying on trying to start an engine until the battery won't turn the engine over or the solenoid clicks can ruin a battery and it won't hold a charge properly again.
Quote from: darrsi on 13 January 2017, 06:45:48 amQuote from: Jules-C on 13 January 2017, 06:33:34 amIf the battery is never allowed to go flat it can last well over 10 years. I replaced mine after 10 years after I fitted heated grips because they would switch off with the engine idling at traffic lights. The new battery made no difference. But AGM batteries do not like going flat and being asked to deliver high currents when partially discharged. Just one occasion of carrying on trying to start an engine until the battery won't turn the engine over or the solenoid clicks can ruin a battery and it won't hold a charge properly again. Just common sense says it would appreciate a new one after 10 years though, i don't even understand why anyone is even questioning it?EEK -- so far - touch wood. I am on the original 17 year old battery but when I am not riding it I keet on a yam branded C-Tek charger here http://www.yamahaclothing.co.uk/yec-40-battery-charger-3227-p.asp.I brought it a few years ago after I also had a starting issue and almost flattened the battery, my issue was the spark plugs, I had them out and they looked fine but brought some new ones anyway and hey-presto fired straight up. May be my battery has lasted so long because I only for fun when its dry and so am not starting it up twice a day every day.If you add up how many times my battery has started the bike compared to a bike used every day then the battery is about 4 years old
... So I think 17 years (probably more actually) is a pretty good innings I'd say, and I doubt anyone else can really top that I'd imagine!
When you say you cleaned the contacts, did you open up the solenoid and clean it internally. Common for the internal contacts to have green corrosion which intermittently stops the solenoid doing its job. Next time it happens short the big connections in the solenoid. If that turns the starter, change the solenoid. I don't know of anyone who had to strip a starter on the 600 to replace brushes. Heard of a few who had to because the starter was seized
It was the tap on the starter motor that fixed it. Need to get those brushes cleaned or changed because it's going to happen again before too long
Ahh i see, this is what happens when you don't read up properly (my bad). The starter is completely clean now though so I might put it back in and just see if it works.