Motorcycle Batteries Maintenance
Driving your own motorcycle can be more convenient and practical than driving a regular car or vehicle. Yet when the motorcycle becomes dysfunctional, repair costs may also be expensive and can put a dent in your budget. Costly motorcycle repairs may however not be needed if you can properly maintain and care for your motorcycle.
Motorcycles consist of various components which altogether work to make the vehicle serviceable. One component that is essential in motorcycle operation is the motorcycle battery. Therefore your battery is one of those essential parts that you need to maintain. To do this, you need to understand details about you battery and how it operates in order to power up your motorcycle.Motorcycle batteries are of two types: conventional and maintenance free. Each type implements its own charging set, troubleshooting and maintenance.
In caring for motorcycles, you may need proper tools like jumper cables, battery tester, multimeter, hydrometer and battery analyzer. The jumper cables are what you need to use to start up the motor when it has low charge. The tester is for checking if the battery is charged or discharged. The multimeter which can measure resistance, current and voltage will help you know if it is time for recharging. The syringe hydrometer is for precisely showing the gravity reading of conventional batteries. The battery acid and the water content are displayed by the hydrometer so you will know if it needs replenishment. Then the battery analyzer, with just a single push of a button, can tell you if your battery is already full of charge.
Checking the battery, regardless if it is maintenance free or conventional, needs to be done once in each month. Conventional motorcycle batteries would require the water to be topped off so the needed electrolyte balance may be restored. The water will evaporate as the vehicle operates and so electrolytes will be produced. You need to inspect the battery and all its connections one time every month or so. Grimes surrounding the battery must be cleaned particularly the dirt buildup on the battery connections.
A common problem with the battery is when there exists no power in the motorcycle. Your horn and your lights would not function so you need to look first at the fuse. This fuse is located on the red-colored lead near to your battery. Replace the broken fuse.
When you start the motorcycle and there is an intermittent loss of power, you should look at the terminals of your battery as they may be loose. If they are, tighten the connections.
If you hear a clicking noise as you start your motorcycle, this would mean a battery whose charge is too low, it cannot even turn over your vehicles starter. The clicking sound is produced by the solenoid activated by the battery but the power is inadequate to deal with the starter. Your battery charge can also be indicated by a starter that turns quite slowly .