Bike won't start? Are you sure it's not this?

[WingAdmin]

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[FM-USA]

Long ago (mid 1970s) I had a mini pickup that did exactly this. Checked & cleaned the posts, didn't fix it.
Opened a few screw caps & peered inside, DRATS, plates were scum flake covered.
I'm nowhere able to call for a tow or get a jump so with a rock I beat on that battery in different places & angles, VIOLA it started.
Obviously that battery knew who was boss (grins), it shook the scale off of the plates for the truck to just barely start.
New battery next morning.

I DON'T recommend beating on any battery. Acid can fly in places where it don't belong.

.

[Limpy45]

First Auto Parts store I worked at, I was the battery guy. That meant I filled batteries with acid as they were shipped dry back then. Then I had to charge them and test to make sure they were good to go. I also tested batteries for customers that brought them in for warranty. I had quite a procedure to follow by several of the battery manufacturers we sold. I had a motorcycle battery on the charger one day when a represenative from a battery company was there and saw it. Back then the cases were very clear and easy to see into the plates. He wanted that battery for a demo for his sales pitch. I cleaned it up for him, drained the acid and stuff to get it ready for him. I got a new motorcycle battery out of the deal. You could see all the lead sulfate build up on the plates easily.

[Rambozo]

Long ago (mid 1970s) I had a mini pickup that did exactly this. Checked & cleaned the posts, didn't fix it.
Opened a few screw caps & peered inside, DRATS, plates were scum flake covered.
I'm nowhere able to call for a tow or get a jump so with a rock I beat on that battery in different places & angles, VIOLA it started.
Obviously that battery knew who was boss (grins), it shook the scale off of the plates for the truck to just barely start.
New battery next morning.

I DON'T recommend beating on any battery. Acid can fly in places where it don't belong.

As a mechanic I've dropped a ton of car batteries from a foot or two onto a concrete floor, to knock the crud off and get a little more life out of them. One of the battery makers showed me one of the features of their deep cycle batteries over starting batteries was there was extra space at the bottom of the case so debris wouldn't short out the plates as quickly.

[FM-USA]

I never dealt with deep cycles.
Deep Cycle bottom space, sump'n new learn't.

.

[Techdude2000]

This is good information. I might add, if you want to do an easy load test of your battery, leave it on the bike, secure your meter leads to its terminals and turn on the key and hit the starter button while watching your meter. If it drops below 10.5V, it’s done.