ticking battery

[ghostbiker]

I use the bike in a similar way, I used to have a new battery every spring almost as it died in winter from sparsely being used.
Touch wood the new motobat seems to be lasting very well. Through winter use and it still starts fast and strong.
By the sounds of it your flogging a dead horse here. That battery has seen its best days long ago.
Not holding a charge so just bite the bullet and replace. Try the motobat one. Good price and so far have heard nothing but good stuff about them.