Automotive Blogger

Blog about cars, motorcycles and vehicles

By

Motorcycle Repair: Battery

It could happen to anyone. You’re out on a ride somewhere, or stuck in traffic, and your motorcycle’s battery dies. You’re stuck and you can’t get it started.

Take Proper Gear With You

For many people, riding a motorcycle is done in fair weather, and often time’s it’s hot, so being stuck out in the sun and heat can be dangerous. There are a few things you can take with you to help keep you safe. (Note that these items are only for a dead battery. There are several other items you should always take with you on a motorcycle ride)

  • Cell Phone
  • Drinking Water
  • Jumper Cables

You’ll want a cell phone to summon help and possibly to let people know you will be late arriving at your destination so they won’t worry about you. You’ll also want drinking water with you in case you are going to be stuck in the heat for any period of time. Finally, you’ll want a set of Jumper Cables.

Restarting the Motorcycle

There are several ways to start a motorcycle with a dead battery. If you’re not familiar with them, you may want to print these tips out and keep them in a safe, dry place on the motorcycle along with your jumper cables.

Jump Start The Battery From Another Motorcycle

  1. Position the two motorcycles so the batteries are close enough together to facilitate the length of the jumper cable. Ensure the motorcycle with the good battery is NOT running.
  2. Connect the RED clamp of the jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery.
  3. Connect the BLACK clamp of the jumper cable to the negative (-) terminal on the dead battery, or to a grounded item on the motorcycle, such as the frame.
  4. Connect the BLACK clamp of the jumper cable to the negative (-) terminal on the good battery, or to a grounded item on the motorcycle, such as the frame.
  5. Connect the RED clamp of the jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the good battery.
  6. Start the motorcycle with the good battery and wait a few minutes.
  7. Start the motorcycle with the dead battery
  8. Remove the RED cables first from the good battery, then from the bad battery.
  9. Remove the BLACK cables from both batteries.
  10. Leave the motorcycle with the bad battery running until you reach your destination and/or find a suitable place to re-charge the battery with a battery charger.

Jump Start The Battery From A Car

The procedure to jump start a motorcycle from a car is the same as it is for jump starting it from another motorcycle except for item (6). A car battery has more amperage, and the charging system for a car is much more powerful than that of a motorcycle. When jump starting a motorcycle from a car, DO NOT START THE CAR’S MOTOR because the extra power from the charging system will possibly destroy the motorcycle’s charging system and could cause a fire. The car battery should have enough power to start the motorcycle without the car’s motor running.

Compression Start The Motorcycle

Some times it may be easier to compression start the motorcycle, also known as a bump start or push start. It’s possible to compression start a motorcycle by yourself, but it’s easier if you have a couple of friends to help you if you’re on flat ground.

  1. Turn on the ignition, turn on the gas, and make sure the Kill Switch is turned to the RUN position.
  2. Pull in the clutch and put the bike in second or third gear. (First gear may be too hard to turn the motor and may jerk the drive train too hard a may cause motor-mount failure.)
  3. Coast the bike down a hill or have your friends push you.
  4. Once you reach about 5 to 10 MPH, quickly release the clutch.
  5. Apply a little throttle to maintain control and pull in the clutch.

The bike may not start on the first try, so repeat if needed. Also, a motorcycle with a completely dead battery may not start using the compression method.

Call For Help

Finally, if jumping or compression starting the motor isn’t an option or does not work, your last resort is to call for help. AAA offers motorcycle road-side assistance, and if you ride a lot this may be a good option for you.

You may be near friends with a truck or motorcycle trailer who you can call for help. Calling for help will usually be the longest wait time, and this is why you should carry a bottle of water with you.

By

Essential Items to Pack for a Motorcycle Road Trip

Whether taking a motorcycle road trip in North America, or to sparsely populated areas around the world, it will be made easier with good planning and forethought. The items included in this packing list are ones that my husband and I have found to come in handy if traveling through even rural and lesser populated areas. [Read more…] about Essential Items to Pack for a Motorcycle Road Trip

By

My Love Affair With a Motorcycle: Triumph Bonneville

I’ve had several loves in my life but few to equal my 2004 Triumph Bonneville; Emma Peel Out. Named after the fabulous female super spy from The Avengers Emma and I started hanging out in the fall of 2004.

How My Crush Started

Ever since watching Steve McQueen in the Great Escape ride a TR6, jumping and crashing border fences between Nazi Germany and Switzerland, I’ve dreamed of owning British Iron. I’m surely not alone here and this scene probably inspired millions of kids to start riding. Speaking of kids, these days, riding a Bonneville is a great way to meet guys in the 57 to 70 year old age bracket. [Read more…] about My Love Affair With a Motorcycle: Triumph Bonneville

By

History of Hodaka Motorcycles

With oddly named motorcycles like the Dirt Squirt, Combat Wombat, and the Road Toad, Hodaka managed to create a good looking dirt-bike with a cult-like following. Hodaka only manufactured motorcycles for about 10 years as a joint venture between a Japanese and U.S. Company. Even in that small amount of time, they left behind a recognizable legacy.

The Beginning of Hodaka

In the early 60’s, Pacific Basin Trading Company (PABATCO), a subsidiary of Farm Chemicals located in Athena, Oregon was looking to export its products outside of the U.S. At the same time, Yamaguchi Motorcycles was looking to follow on the success of Honda and begin importing motorcycles into the U.S. market. [Read more…] about History of Hodaka Motorcycles

By

History of Norton Motorcycles

Norton is an iconic brand of the classic café racer styled motorcycles made famous in the 50s and 60s. Like many British companies that were big around that time, they were hit hard in the U.S. market by the Japanese manufactures and bad management, eventually having to close their doors. Yet thanks to individuals who refused to let the brand die, Norton has made a comeback and is now finding a new generation of fans and followers for its classic motorcycles as well as lovers of a new generation of Nortons.

The Early Years

Originally founded in 1898 by James Lansdowne Norton, the Norton Manufacturing Company produced bicycle parts. Yet, with a level of engineering savvy, James quickly moved into the motorcycle market. In 1902 Norton began manufacturing motorcycles. The first motorcycles used an aftermarket engine made in France and Switzerland. Then in 1908 they began using an engine of their own, and Norton was on its way. [Read more…] about History of Norton Motorcycles

By

Classic Moto Guzzi Le Mans Motorcycles

The Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Moto Guzzi, built their first prototypes in 1920, with production starting in 1921. Since then, every type and style of two-wheeled transport has been made, including mopeds, scooters, commuters, cruisers, tourers and sports bikes.

Although the company has changed hands a number of times, the original factory at Mandello del Lario continues to produce iconic machines, focusing on large capacity models with V-twin engines fitted across the frame.

Ducati, Harley Davidson and many others make V-twins, but these are in-line models, where one cylinder sits behind the other. In recent history only Honda, in the late ’70’s, copied Guzzi with their transverse engined CX500 and CX650 bikes. [Read more…] about Classic Moto Guzzi Le Mans Motorcycles