Battery/starting issue

You've already done all the diagnosis necessary Richard, your battery is buggered and needs replacing.

Just one final test before you splash the cash. Do this the next time she won't turn over with enthusiasm. If you got some decent jump leads, connect the bike's battery to your car battery (assuming you've got one) DO NOT RUN the car's engine, just connect to the battery. Once the two are connected, try firing up the bike. Does she fire up easily and quickly? If yes, your bike battery is finished and needs replacing.

 

Buggered battery - exactly the same happened on my T100.

 

I'm with you on that Rich.

 

Fact that you charged it and overnight it's dropped so far down.
Shows it's not holding a charge. Hence battery knackered
Wasn't so bad in the days of kick starts as the act of kick starting produced enough charge to turn the engine over.

 

May I sugest the MotoBatt as a replacement, these have a higher than normal starting load which gives a slightly better tunrover when starting. I had no problems over winter and very reliable.

The one recommended for your bike is the MBTX14AU - link
Around £60 on Amazon

Also liked by our friend Delboy - Garage link (Youtube)

Best of luck

 

This is a sealed one, it comes with the Gel in pleace so no mucking round with acid
I like this battery, it certainly has a more positive startup and I have had no problems.
I would recommend reading the website to check all the differences and it is up to your judgement if you think the additional outlay is value for money.

 

the fact that it started fine the first time then not and if charged the same happened again is a give away.
it charges up,only, not all the cells(perhaps only one cell and so looses charge really quickly.
p.s. the Biglad is usually spot on about mechanics, and check Crispys previous threads for this,
http://www.thetriumphforum.co.uk/threads/starting-problems-and-fixes.4913/

starting proplem diagnostics,
I have it printed out and keep a copy in the shed

 

One good comment in there is about the copper slip. Planing on checking my break pads over the next couple of days. So just need to get some break cleaner now.
Hopefully the pads are ok but as the bike has done less tan 4K they should be fine.
Possible famous last words there

 

In fairness he said the battery was showing 13volts after charging - well it would IMMEDIATELY after charging, but within an hour normal behaviour would take it down to about 12.6v which you would call it's standing charge level.

 

Only thing I miss about the Royal Enfields, they still had kick/start leg smacker levers, got a permanent bruise scar on the back of my leg to prove it!