Won't Start

[NCKayaker]

Rode multiple times in recent weeks. Yesterday had trouble starting but it finally cranked. Rode to restaurant last night..... After dinner bike wouldn't start. Jumped it, it started, made it home ok. Checked battery this morning......+12.5 volts. Turn the bike on, hit starter, battery drops to 3.4 volts. I do hear relays under the seat clicking but nothing else.
Any thoughts before I tear into it?

[MikeB]

Replace the battery. That voltage indication of 12.5 and then 3.4 when you turn on the ignition is indicative of a dead battery.

The fact that you were able to jump start it and ride it home tells me that the alternator and charging system is good.

[NCKayaker]

I guess I'm just stubborn. I kept a trickle charger on it all winter. I was hoping to avoid a new battery. Thanks...... Yes, I'm cheap.....

[MikeB]

Ok. But replacing the battery is the repair.

[Steve F]

Remove, clean and replace the battery connections. Make sure they're tight!!! If there's a tiny bit of crud between the cables and the battery, it won't start. You -might- get lights and radio, but hit the starter, and everything quits. If all this won't fix it, then battery replacement is most likely.

[mterraci]

Battery replacement is a relatively cheap fix and should take care of it.

[Viking]

I learned a long time ago to quit being cheap on new batteries. I have a diesel truck that if the batteries get low, the truck will not start, but not only that, will cause a back surge when the start position is releaved, and blow ECM modules. Those for my truck are $1200. Two batteries at $120 are only 20% of the cost of an ECM. This can happen with any vehicle that has an ECM or equivalent, which includes our GL1800s. If in doubt, a new battery doesn't hurt, and cheaper than repairing other electronic components.

[GoldWingrGreg]

The other thing to not do is to stack connectors at the battery posts. At most there would be 2 wires at each post. One each for the Wing, and one each for a aux fuse box if needed.

[Asphaltmaniac]

I guess I'm just stubborn. I kept a trickle charger on it all winter. I was hoping to avoid a new battery. Thanks...... Yes, I'm cheap.....

Walmart....ES20LBS $76.88

[baumedagn]

For what it's worth, use a battery maintainer. It will charge the battery as needed. A trickle charger charges at a low rate constantly. You'll get better life out of your battery using a maintainer.