Dead. No power. Owned 2 days. HELP

[PaulAshcroft]

Hi all

First post havent been on a forum like this for years. Loving the in depth info I've found so far. I have an R1250GSA but have always loved the older wings. I found an immaculate 1997 GL1500SE. Apparently, it's a SET MODEL last of 1996. I'd like to point out I've never owned an old bike or car and have no technical knowledge at all. Even removing the battery panel terrified me.

Anyway rambling on. After buying with full service MOT i rode 200 miles home no issues bike is lovely everything works perfectly, stopped a few times and bike started immediately. Rode into garage, switched off, centre stand, left steering lock on. Other than wiping it down I haven't touched it since. 2 days later went to start bike and nothing at all. No power, no dash clock nothing at whatsoever. Nothing left running, all lights were off however I did leave the headlight slider in the ON position but assume thats on the ignition. Can someone confirm?

Other than that i only went in a couple times to look at it.

[Rambozo]

Have you measured the battery voltage?

[PaulAshcroft]

Hi thanks for your reply. I posted after I left for work and only noticed at 10pm last night. I don't have a voltmeter just a NOCO GB20 battery booster. I can put that on and if it lights things up its the battery.

Can a battery just die? It's been on bike since 2020 but only done 500 miles. No idea if it was on a charger.

Has started every time since I left garage on Sat without issue.

[Andy Cote]

Yes, you can use a jump starter to see if that is the problem. Before that, I would use a voltmeter attached to the terminals. They are inexpensive at most auto parts stores. Same stores can test the battery.

Batteries can die suddenly, though it's less common than other problems. Check that the battery connections are clean and tight. Check that you didn't leave the kill switch in OFF position. Check that you didn't have the side stand down with bike in gear. Double check the key is in RUN position since it may not have been in LOCKED position for decades. There is also an ACC position like an auto.

I do not know if headlight switch being ON will drain the battery. I would guess no but I'm not familiar with the Euro spec bikes.

[Sassy]

I killed my battery stone dead by leaving the key in the accessory position a couple times when I first got my new to me Wing. First bike I owned with more than an off/on key.
I did have the battery go stone dead out of the blue as well.
Your problem is most likely battery related similar to my problems.

[gford]

you said you had the steering locked overnight, I believe right next to the steering lock position is the park position which causes the lights to stay on, easy to mistake the positions. I had it happen to me once. Check your battery, you probably killed it with the key in park instead of lock position.

[PaulAshcroft]

Funnily enough I've just read an article from 2011 detailing exactly the same.mistake Re the park lock positions press and turn has always been lock. I'm.home in 5 mins will update. Hope it is that and then the bike is fine and I'm a moron.

[bbrackett]

Been there done that.. at least a couple times ..

[PaulAshcroft]

Yes. I am that fool. who would put a park feature that close to a lock feature and no put a sticker on with a big arrow pointing

Cheers guys

[gford]

Glad you got it sorted out and it was the best kind of fix, FREE

[PaulAshcroft]

Absolutely. Not only has my blood pressure reduced massively, I'm no longer dreaming wiring diagrams and warming my panels with a hairdryer in a cold garage. Honestly appreciate the help. I'd have never noticed, might have charged battery and all would have been well but it would defo have happened again as I've never known anything more than one long depressed click when turning anti clockwise. Never turning the bars full lock again. Haha

[Rambozo]

There are a few things that require the Park position, too. I would advise you to RTFM. You will discover a bunch of stuff you didn't know about.

[joeincalif]

I never use the park or lock position on any bike. That includes 8 Gold wings I have owned. They do not steal Gold Wings. A Harley once posted that his anti theft device for his Harley with the word 'GOLD WING" on it.