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“Yeah man I’ll take the Volcano Ghost chilli Burrito Challenge!”

Sure it wasn't operator error with your new truck?

You guys are amazingly creative!! Luckily I have the tools at my disposal so let the project begin!

Hey all! It's been a while since I've been on this forum. I got into an accident on my V11 right before the pandemic started and have been using my car to get around. Now, I need to start commuting on the bike again. I have ridden it a few times here and there since the accident with no issues, then plugged the battery into a battery tender and commuted in by car. Over the past couple weeks the bike would start. I took it for a test ride today and everything seemed fine. Stopped to fuel up but after that the bike wouldn't start. At first, I was just getting clicking noises from the starter motor, but after awhile it wasn't making any noise, making me think it could be a power issue. Luckily, I wasn't far from home, so I walked her back. I tested the battery and it's giving good readings and is now hooked back up to the tender. The fuel pump is engaging, but it just won't start. I've checked the fuses, all good. I am wondering if it could be the starter motor. I've never tested one before and I'm not quite sure how to do so. I'm hoping some of you awesome gurus could help me out in determining the issue. I've been through a lot with this bike (full engine rebuild, accident, etc.), and I would love to get her back on the road. I've never heard of a starter motor going bad after sitting still for a while, but I have a feeling that it's part of the problem. Then again, what do I know? Looking forward to any and all advice the great people of this forum have to offer.

Quick and dirty solution is a Yuasa or Deka AGM - both made in Pennsylvania, a place I've heard of. I had less than stellar luck with an Odyssey and I tend to think that a motorcycle is not its best application. Many others here will argue - but they do that anyway. For $20-$30 more than the generic Chinese batteries, you can employ (mostly) Americans to make your battery.

Same here.

Thanks for your help, as always! I'm really hoping that it's just the battery.

I'm not familiar with that brand, but have heard of that country of origin. You could take that by any auto parts store and they will load test it for you. There will be a date code on it somewhere. That is certainly the likely culprit and an easy fix.

Hey Docc! I was hoping to hear from you. I'm including a picture of the battery in this post. It's pretty old, but it has always been hooked up to a battery tender when not in use.

Good to see you back @thelonewonderer! What kind of battery is in your V11?

OK I am no mechanic but I will jump in: Your battery may take a charge fine (in volts) but no longer have the cranking power (amps) to turn over the motor. I really doubt it is the starter motor. The clicking is "normal" in that you will hear it when battery cannot start the bike. And after a while you will hear nothing if you keep trying it. I would bump start the bike in 2nd gear and ride around for at least 20 min at >4K RPM which is approx the RPM needed on these bikes (typically) to charge the bike. If the bike still won't start after that, I'd begin to suspect the battery even if the volts look good (> than approx 12.4). And if the battery is bad, you must wonder why it went bad - could be the wrong charger or a failing/failed rectifier.

We're going a bit Off Topic from relays here, would it not be a better idea if you started a separate thread. [docc edit: Done! Thanks for the suggestion! ] Having a hot Hi Cam I've did a little delving into oils both viscosity grades and additives. The 2 I found that claim to have higher ZDDP were Pentrite and Royal Purple, both Australian oil manufacturers, I've no clue why. Currently I'm running the HiCam on 10/60 Full Synth Penrite. I've yet to get any meaningful mileage to evaluate it though. I've seen people stating Guzzi brought out a technical that the previously recommended 20/50 should go to 10/60, but on my Sporti I find that the bike runs fine on 15/50 (so a 20/50 would likewise be Ok). Purely anectodal, but I think the 2 V/V bikes don't require 10/60, they hold pressure fine on 20/50. The 4V/V bikes like the HiCam may benefit from 10/60 if they run hot. That's for the ambients in the UK, if you ride in high ambients then a 10/60 may be worthwhile. What little data I've gathered is from having a sump oil temp dipstick and a pressure gauge. You're quite correct though air cooled bikes will be more susceptable to changes in ambients, in the Ducati manual for my 1098 (a watercooled engine) it referenced a range of acceptable viscosity grades that could be used dependent on the ambient range. No clue if that helps or not.

No, i’ve just run them without (it’s happened on both my v11s, due to hitting potholes i think!). I haven’t noticed much difference at nighttime, but i suppose there must be a reduced effect?

I think our languages are full of these idioms that we use without second thoughts. "Pulling the trigger" does not exist in my language. Nor does "shoot", you know, "can I ask you something? shoot!"

A brand new headlight does something, I think. Got it from Germany 7months ago. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-A525F via Tapatalk

Were you on board when it took off ?

The Scura is the later plastic bucket, @PJPR01 ? (The earlier, Bosch, steel bucket of the RedFrame Sports can be opened without damage.)

^^^^^^^ BTDT. Ferries are great fun. Bill

I went into the local shop last week and they went on their system and said the v11 was recommended a full synth 0w30. Till now I’d been using the semi 20w50 v-twin putoline. I’m thinking of emailing opie oils to ask whether they have a suggestion.

It is all fine. I think incident happens. I have not yet spoken to the guy who was driving it, but I will. So far, I only spoken to the owner. I want to get a full understanding on how a simple turn at a red light causes someone to lose control. There maybe a perfectly valid explanation, I simply want to hear it from the horse's mouth. They sent me a text the car is ready for pickup. But tomorrow I am planning to go to Beaumont to check out that 101 Dalmatians fire hydrant. On that topic, I never ever drive someone else's car or motorcycle. I am always afraid this kind of incident could happen. Even if you are not responsible, you still feel like you are.