[Iconic944ss]

This is something that has bugged me and I seem to have come to a bit of an impasse......

When I got my 900ss some 14 months ago, it was always very poor starting from cold. This i put down to a combination of old (original Yuasa) battery and the 944cc big bore kit fitted.

I think one or two cells are a little weak on the battery as they always appear to need topping up with distilled water MUCH earlier than the others - I've tried EDTA and now use an Optimiser which makes life much easier (however, as usual - I digress)......

When the lack of starting actually reached its worst I bought a Gel type battery from a supplier in the UK as the claims for it appeared to be excellent - retains charge - does not leak if punctured etc etc

However, starting was no better and at one point I actually fried some of the starter cable - so after replacing the starter solenoid I decided there had to be a fault with the started motor.

There was indeed a fault with the starter motor - the bushes were almost totally burned out and had to be rebuilt from scratch.

Once that was done - I put everything back together and blow me if the bike still would not start right with the Gel battery fitted - I'm trying to remember the effect.....

I think the starter only spins and sounds like it is not 'latching' correctly - for want of a better term BUT .................
with the old Yuasa lead/acid battery back on THE BIKES STARTS ON THE BUTTON !!!!

I even sent the Gel battery back to the supplier who tested it and said it is perfectly fine and returned to to me F.O.C. (to his credit) - So I'm at a loss and have a useless gel battery stood in my garage.

The only unusual thing I can remember is that the output voltage was higher than I expected - as I remember about 13.5V.

Any ideas anyone ??????? PLEASE !!!!

Cheers - Frank

[Edited on 16-5-2004 by Iconic944ss]

[Edited on 18-5-2004 by Iconic944ss]