Battery life and starting question

[raphski]

Hi,
New R65 owner slowly getting to know the bike.
How long should my battery hold a charge if I'm not using it daily?
Trying to determine if I need to replace my battery. Seems like after only a few days mine does not have the juice to start the bike.
How hard should it be to start cold? My local mechanic after doing the major service tune up and carb rebuild said to move the choke to the middle position and then slowly to the off position as it warms up. It is always a bit hard to start and seems to run a bit rough when it's cold, I'm talking cold engine with temperatures in the 40-50's. Once warm it runs like a champ.
Thanks!
Raphael

[Justin B.]

Start with full choke, then after a bit half-way, then off once you are rolling and the RPMs will stay up - leave the throttle alone for the most part until it's started.  Battery question depends on whether wet or AGM battery.

[raphski]

Thanks!
I will play with the starting sequence. I think its AGM.
R

[montmil]

Raphael, An AGM battery -Absorbed Glass Mat- will be sealed. No caps to add distilled water. No mess. No overflow tube destroying paint and chrome. A good thing, AGMs.

Do you know how old the battery is? That could be a clue. AGMs seem to last longer than sloshed batteries but they can fail. Battery not holding a charge could also indicate an issue within the bike's charging system.

AGM batteries also require a slightly higher charging rate than the old scool wet batteries. Easiest way to bump the charge rate is to replace the OEM clunky voltage regulator with a new, smaller, plug n' play unit for Rick Jones at MotorradElektrik. Scroll down to find the VR.

http://www.motoelekt.com/charging.htm

Also, spend some quality time with your R65 by cleaning the battery's large ground (-) cable at the terminal and where it bolts to the transmission. I just yesterday calmed an R90 owner who was nutz because his new battery wouldn't hold a charge. Small corrosion at the cable/gearbox attach. Clean up both battery terminals and then smear some dielectric grease on them.

AGM batteries like about 14.2 volts charging. With the engine running about 4K rpm, put a DVOM across the battery terminals and see what voltage is coming down the pike. Report back with your findings.

It's a BMW Airhead. It's always some thing simple.

[Barry]

A healthy AGM battery should hold it's charge for weeks or even months. If it starts off fully charged and then won't start the bike after a few days it's shot.

Don't rely on the bike to fully charge it. Use a bench charger then allow the battery to rest overnight before measuring the no load voltage which for an AGM should be minimum 12.8 volts or higher to indicate a full charge. Then leave the battery for a few days. If it drops more than a couple of tenths it's shot.

With everything right starting from cold should be all but instantaneous.  If you have to churn it on the starter there is something wrong usually too little choke.

Yours is a 79.  If it's an early 79  there is another possible cause of starting problems. The enricher disc got modified via a service bulletin to improve starting and cold running.  When I carried out this mod to mine the enricher operation was absolutely transformed. Either look at it yourself or get your mechanic to check if the mod has been applied. The service bulletin advises marking the enricher with a paint spot but I wouldn't rely on that. Check that the fourth hole has been drilled. The bulletin says increase in size but that must be a bad translation as if the mod needs doing there won't be a hole at all just the counter bore. Also check that the counter bores have been opened up to 2.5 mm.

[raphski]

Wow!
I am so pleased to have found this board and to become part of the R65 community. Thank you for all the advice. I have a learning curve to tackle and will keep you all informed as I figure this out and bring the bike back to better condition. Last night I installed a new used exhaust that I got from Larry Chabira. Not factory but it looks and sounds great, a big improvement from the rusted one that came off.
Raphael

[montmil]

Most FLAPS -Friendly Local Auto Parts Store- will load test your battery for free. With a battery just sitting in the bike, a VOM may show 12+ volts. Put a load on the battery and voltage could drop.

I find it difficult to justify the rather high prices for AGM motorcycle batteries. Some are even pricier than the hefty battery in my pickup truck, also an AGM.

Shouldf you discover your R65's battery has gone Tango Uniform, check in with Staab Battery in Springfield IL. Listed in their Building Maintenance & Office section, you'll find their 12V22AH UB12220. It is a direct, drop-in, exact size for the R65. I have these batts in both of my R65s and they, when combined with an electronic VR pumping out over 14V charge, last a l-o-n-g time. My 1981 R65 Staab lasted 68 months. Replaced it in early 2015 with another Staab so expect many more years of service.

I also replaced the 24-pound boat anchor sloshed battery in the R100S with a much smaller and lighter weight AGM battery from Staab. Less weight. Faster bike.

http://www.staabbattery.com/product/sla-12/UB12220-V.html

[Bob_Roller]

How is the bike ridden, ' city ' riding, stop lights, short distance ??
This charging system doesn't provide enough power below the 4,000 rpm area to power the bikes circuits and charge the battery .

[BPT]

Regarding city driving, what are the options?  Is there anything that can be done if most of mine is just what Bob Roller mentioned - city, stoplights, short distance?  Can you give an idea as to how much above 4000 rpm needs to be done to counteract the short hop riding?  I'm still having some charging problems but not sure where to look.  Or maybe they're not really problems and  my riding style near home just isn't compatible?

[Bob_Roller]

Only option is to place a battery charger of some sort on the battery .
I've used battery ' maintainers ' on my bikes, to keep the batteries charged to where they should be .
When I lived in Chicago, when riding season began, I had a 5.5 mile ride to work, 13 stop lights and a maximum of 35 mph speed limit, if I didn't take the bike out for a 2-3 hour ride on my days off, or use a battery charger, the battery would not start the bike after about 8 days .
Since moving to Phoenix, I have an 11 mile ride, 3 stop lights, most is 65 mph urban expressway and no issues, except for the fact that I use the oilhead for 4 days a week, take one of the ' dinosaurs ' ( as my co-workers call them !!! ) to work on Saturdays and holidays, due to insurance restrictions of using the old bikes to commute to work  .
When you are due for a replacement battery, I would recommend an AGM type battery, generic AGM's can be had for under $50 and are maintenance free .

[mrclubike]

Fitting A volt meter on the dash is a good way to keep an eye on whats going on with your battery.
It is a must have if you have extra electrical loads like extra lights and heated gear  

[BPT]

I do keep the battery on a tender at home.  But I've had a couple of occasions where I have been out and about and everything seemed fine but then (luckily) I'd be getting close to home, and it wouldn't have enough juice to start.  I'm still learning my bike's personality and also the ways of the airhead, so no way for me to tell if this is just the way it is or if I have a deficiency somewhere.

For the record, I don't run anything extra except that I have the sidecar lights.  However, I did recently switch my main brake light for a Beacon and the brake/tail & running light on the sidecar with LED bulbs.  

With our weather being more consistently nice here i'll be getting out more but it's a bit un-nerving not knowing what's going to happen when I turn the key toward the end of the day.  

[BPT]

I was going to ask if anyone had recommendations for an accurate voltmeter.  That was going to be one of my next additions.  I've seen that the standard VDO's aren't too spendy online.  A lot of the digitals seem to be cheaper.  Any thoughts between the two?  Or a specific brand of the digitals that are decent?

[raphski]

Hi,
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the input. Time will tell but so far cleaning the battery terminals and contact points seems to have taken care of my issue of not having power to start the bike after just a few days. In addition it is starting with authority and much faster. When I purchased the bike I had a major service done which was quite expensive and extensive and I would have thought it would have included this since the bike was delivered to the shop with the battery out of it. Serves me right for thinking. Nice to start to get to know my bike and find a simple cure.
Raphael

[wilcom]

I find it difficult to justify the rather high prices for AGM motorcycle batteries

Monte,................. Gruber sells their AGM that will fit the R65

$31.09
SKU:
58AGPS-12-18-P
 for 12 Volt - 18 Amp Hour (AH) Battery
Not too pricey.......... and my bike can set for a month and fire right up!

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If it's really cold

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