Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: fat lad on April 13, 2009, 04:38:48 PM

Title: charging??? extra question
Post by: fat lad on April 13, 2009, 04:38:48 PM

Hi all and a happy easter, took the 400/4 out today it wouldnt start off the button ( not been run for a while) but started on the kick, had a run out about 20 mile parked up for an hour then started on the button yippee all ok, rode home noticed the right hand indicators were a bit slow to come on gave her a rev and on they came but back to idle went off and then stalled?? went for the button NOTHING not even a click, turned the side light of still nothing started on the kick idle ok put the left indicators on they were flashing but you could here the revs die down then stall.
I started it on the kick again and put my battery/alternator tester on while idle it read 5v when i reved it read 12-13v then went back to 5v on idle, this would tell me the charging is ok??? its a newish battery ( since rebuild 12-18 month) but i dont use it as much as i like, could the battery be knackered with only going on short runs? or is there something else to try the contacts to the battery are clean and smeared with copperslip. please help regards jonny

Title: Re: charging???
Post by: dave400 on April 13, 2009, 09:14:59 PM

Get a battery tendor and connect it when the bike is parked up, it will prolong the life of the battery but sounds like yours is on it

Title: Re: charging???
Post by: Bryanj on April 14, 2009, 03:16:37 AM

These bikes only charge when running over 3,000 RPM and batteries dont like being stood idle

Title: Re: charging???
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on April 14, 2009, 08:39:15 AM

Agree.

13V on revs shows that your charging circuit is OK.

5V on tickover shows that your battery is shagged.

Title: Re: charging???
Post by: Dave M on April 14, 2009, 12:30:27 PM

Agreed.

Title: Re: charging???
Post by: fat lad on April 14, 2009, 08:24:41 PM

Thank you all for the replies im glad you all agree on the battery, i have had it on charge and will get it all back together later, with hindsight i should of started it up with the kick start as opposed to the button when not used for a while  :-\. But i will get a trickle charger and use that, once again thank you all for your wisdom regards jonny

Title: Re: charging??? extra question
Post by: fat lad on April 14, 2009, 09:39:31 PM

Hi again ive just read in the haynes manual that you should "disconect the rectifier plug when charging from an external supply" i took the battery off so thats ok does this apply when using a trickle/tender charger? many thanks jonny

Title: Re: charging??? extra question
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on April 14, 2009, 10:04:48 PM

I've owned these bikes since 1976 and have never disconnected the battery to charge it...

Title: Re: charging??? extra question
Post by: fat lad on April 14, 2009, 11:06:42 PM

Cheers steve thats good to know thanks jonny