|
|
Post by SylvreKat on Sept 24, 2017 23:12:59 GMT -5
So here's the situation.
Last time I started and ran Peej, roughly 2, 3 weeks ago, he had troubles starting. Clicked the first couple tries and nothing else. Then stuttered, then finally started. I figured I'd been bad 'cause it was at least a month since the last time I'd started him. However, I did notice the clock had reset to 00:00.
Today, he started right up first crank. Everything fine and dandy...oh, except the clock was on 00:15. ?? Well, maybe I'd forgotten to reset it last time. As usual, I let him idle for about 10 minutes with occasional gentle revving up and back down, then turned him off. Let him sit about a minute, then restarted. This time he sort of lurched internally--sorry, as I always warn I am so not mechanical so that's about the best description you'll get. He didn't physically lurch like coming off the center stand, nothing like that. It truly felt like a lurch inside the body. But he also started up again. I noticed the clock had again reset back to 00:00.
I've had him hooked to the Battery Tender Jr all the time I'm not idling him. It shows red for charging after I run him, then solid green with no change 'til the next idle.
Is my battery finally going bad? If so, should I continue to start Peej every couple weeks in the hope my battery will last 'til spring so I can drive him to the shop instead of paying $100 for a tow? Or is it better to stop and let the battery sit on the Tender untouched and undrained 'til spring? Can I damage anything if it is going bad and I keep starting?
help help help!
>'Kat
|
|
|
|
Post by flyangler on Sept 25, 2017 6:42:18 GMT -5
Check your battery connections and ground. When you ride it next time take it to your mechanic and have him check the strength of the battery, let him know what's happening , as far as the clock goes it's probably related to what's going on but almost everybody that owns a Vespa or most Piaggio products are aware of the problems with the clocks.
|
|
|
|
Post by chewbaca on Sept 25, 2017 7:45:13 GMT -5
The battery going is a consistent degradation of starting ability
It's predictable it won't suddenly be good one time
and bad the next
Have your mechanic pull the starter and check the brushes
If he is good he can put new carbon in
If he is competent he can put a new starter
Oh and it can be both as a bad starter can kill a battery
|
|
|
|
Post by dollartwentyfive on Sept 25, 2017 12:47:48 GMT -5
kat,
when storing your bike for long periods then periodically starting it, be sure to allow it to run for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
this will drive off any condensation in the crankcase.
condensation is the number 1 cause of sludge in the oil.
|
|
|
|
Post by w650 on Sept 25, 2017 13:13:18 GMT -5
Been there. My Fashion is on a maintainer too. The charger said all was good but when I tried to start it the battery died after a few cranks. A new battery solved the problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by SylvreKat on Sept 25, 2017 22:18:26 GMT -5
One clarification--due to yet another injury from back last Nov with upcoming surgery in 3 weeks followed by recovery, there's no actual driving of Peej 'til next spring after I get his tuneup. Esp 'cause he got no tuneup this past spring. Well, "no" meaning only going around the neighborhood getting my driving techs back then hopefully driving to the store.
Now, replies--
fly', bless you for thinking I have any clue where the battery is, besides somewhere under the under-the-seat storage. What are the problems with Piggy clocks?
chewy--I dunno, my car's battery went just like that. Fine that morn, dead that night. Not to disagree it can't be the starter though, I've no clue there either.
dollar--thanks. I do always run him at least 15 min, with some stops and restarts 'cause I figure that's a good thing too. I take the newspaper out and read the funnies and the Arts section.
Oh, maybe I should also point out it's the original battery from 2007. Always kept on the Tender when not driven days in a row. Which sadly hasn't been all that often thanks to numerous injuries through the years and dicey weather between.Sigh. Probably the best-maintained low-mileage older scoot you'll ever find. SIGH.
Sounds like come spring I def' have the mech check the starter and battery. But for now, is it still good to start him every other week? Or will that just kill things faster?
>'Kat
|
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 25, 2017 23:09:10 GMT -5
Kat,
All good advice... Most likely though, your battery is about gone. A new battery will probably cure the problems.If your physical state prevents riding, you might get a friend to ride the scoot to the dealer for a battery replacement. If you desire, most batteries are quite easy to change out yourself, (once you find it... LOL!). I know you are good about using your dealer for proper maintenance, so possibly you could even call him and have an employee bring a battery over and replace the original for a small labor/delivery charge. (A large pizza and a six-pack is about a standard fee around here... LOL!) Or, maybe 20 bucks... Just a thought.
August 19, I messed myself up after that great fun-ride from my own dealership... I got home safe and sound (no surprise there). Then, I tripped in the dark over my own boots, fell into a piece of furniture, tearing my left shoulder rotator cuff, and breaking a bone in my arm... One of those "lengthwise" cracks, not a fully-broken bone, but cheesh! It HURTS!!! I'm STILL not quite ready to jerk "Minnie Mouse" off her center stand and ride... Amazing how "heavy" a little pooter 350 pound 250 scoot feels when just ONE shoulder and arm are REALLY messed up! LO not so L...  I do hope to be back on the road VERY soon... I've missed a month of great weather, and the BEST Texas riding weather is just around the corner this fall...
When you get back on the road, take it easy the first few rides... We all lose a little of our "edge" after being off the bike for an extended time. Heal fast, ride safe!Leo
|
|
|
|
Post by cyborg55 on Sept 26, 2017 19:56:36 GMT -5
I concur,,,battery is adios amigo,,,ten years is plenty good service.... sorry to hear of your misfortune chopper,,, get better soon,,,please
|
|
|
|
Post by SylvreKat on Sept 27, 2017 7:45:23 GMT -5
Oh Leo, I'm so sorry that happened. What a bummer, after such a nice day. Be real careful with the rotator cuff tear--Mom had one and waited too long to have it fixed, and it never healed right despite surgery. She's lost so much strength and mobility in that shoulder. So you take care of yourself, you hear me?  Plus you're in my prayers, and I'll ask Momma to add you to hers, too. As for replacing the battery now, I really would rather wait 'til spring when I get the full tune-up. Then they can also double-check that the starter isn't any issue. And then everything's all fresh for driving. Assuming nothing happens before that to again sideline me  So do I just keep starting every couple weeks through the winter, with my fingers crossed? Or not? Will either make a diff to nursing that battery along until spring? >'Kat, who does NOT consider 300+ pounds of Peej "a little pooter" |
|
|
|
Post by oldchopperguy on Sept 27, 2017 18:04:32 GMT -5
Oh Leo, I'm so sorry that happened. What a bummer, after such a nice day. Be real careful with the rotator cuff tear--Mom had one and waited too long to have it fixed, and it never healed right despite surgery. She's lost so much strength and mobility in that shoulder. So you take care of yourself, you hear me? Plus you're in my prayers, and I'll ask Momma to add you to hers, too. As for replacing the battery now, I really would rather wait 'til spring when I get the full tune-up. Then they can also double-check that the starter isn't any issue. And then everything's all fresh for driving. Assuming nothing happens before that to again sideline me So do I just keep starting every couple weeks through the winter, with my fingers crossed? Or not? Will either make a diff to nursing that battery along until spring? >'Kat, who does NOT consider 300+ pounds of Peej "a little pooter"
Kat, you are a treasure!  Have a bone!Appreciate the prayers! I think they are working, as I'm MUCH better. Hope to be back riding next week. Those rotator cuffs ARE a booger! At my age, the docs don't recommend any surgery. Say it would likely make things worse for a couple of years, and I don't have much more than that left... How encouraging! LOL!
I'll be OK... Just need some time. I imagine your scoot will be OK with periodic starting/running. Just be sure to run it long enough to fully warm it up to remove condensation and dry out the motor. If the battery gives up the ghost and won't start it, you can jump it off a car battery (once you find the scooter's battery... LOL!). But just jump-start the scoot with the car motor not running. A full-sized automotive alternator may have too much juice for the scooter's electric system. I guess after decades of riding half-ton Hog baggers I tend to think of our scoots as "little pooters" regardless of size.. except for those huge touring scoots at least... Come to think of it, if I recall, my old chopper weighed less than 400 pounds... but with near 300 ponies, "Old Blue" was a tad friskier than "Minnie Mouse"... a little LOUDER too... LOL! Too much old age and arthritis now to ride the big stuff...
Times do change... I'll be mighty happy just to have the old mouse in the wind again!Heal fast, ride safe! Leo |
|
