wont start unless FULLY charged???

[Baz]

Hi guys, I have an NC30 and if the battery is fully charged (I have a trickle charger but not a permanent power supply in the garage so cant leave it on overnight) then it fires fine or if it is used daily then all is ok. The problems start when it is left a few days and the battery charge is a little low. it wont even try to fire. If I then charge it for a couple of hours its fine again. Also it wont bump start if the battery is low. would it more likely be the battery or something else in the charging/ignition parts?
Also I have just put new plugs in and I think it must be running a bit rich as they are a bit wet. I have done the carb mod but was wondering if I could synchronise them without having to buy the proper tool?
As always any help and advice is very muchly appreciated!
Thanks.

[V4beermonster]

You can sync the carbs by eye, using the 3 holes in the Venturi. As for the battery your need check the bike is charging? If it is then it sounds like your battery is knackered of something is draining the battery

[Baz]

The bike must be charging because if I use it everyday then I dont need to charge it but if I leave it stood for more than about 4 or 5 days then it wont start. I will get a new battery banged in and see how that goes.
Are there any guides on carb synching using the venturi? I dont really know what im doing but can follow instructions very well!
Thanks mate!

[V4beermonster]

Just check it is charging mate, it's common problem. As for the carbs when you open the butterfly's you'll see 3 small holes. One carb is non adjustable when butterfly is shut see how much of the hole you can see on the non adjustable one then turn the adjuster screws so all the butterfly's are in the same position, this is basically the same as vacuum gauges. So all butterfly's open at the same time and amount.

[Baz]

OK thanks pal. I will get them checked.

[Neosophist]

As above really.

But.

Balancing by eye / drill bit is fine for rough balance, vaccum gagues are the way to go to get a perfect balance.

Balcnign is pointles unless your valve clearances are in spec and carbs are setup properly.

Anyhow....

0. A short circuit / alarm could be drining hte battery. Fully charge the battery and leave it off the bike for a few days and then try it, if its gone flat by itself its knackered.

1. All batteries discharge overtime but a knackered one will go flat in a couple of days.

2. The NC30 charging system is known to have a weak regularot, it can overcharge the battery and kill it.

Check the charging system fully to find out if its charging properly, providing its ok then it is safe to assume the battery, if it is knackered died of old age, not being cooked by your charging system.

If theres a fult with the charging system, repair that before replacing the battery.

[Baz]

OK thanks. I have set the carbs up as recommended in the carb jetting guide but have still not got round to doing the valve clearances yet so will leave the synchronising till then. The bike has been on charge all day and has just fired up first time and I've just been out for a quick spin to make sure all is ok. I will do the tests recommended in the electrical testing guide and if it all checks out ok then go for a new battery. Thanks for your help guys, this site has never let me down yet!

[V4beermonster]

I've always set carbs by eye and in my experience they are. Near bang on the same as vac gauges. Only bikes ever used me gauges on are vtwins and older 2 strokes, and my old bandit, which sucked all the mercury out the gauges!! My bad don't rev the engine!

[magg]

How to you know if the battery is fully charged if only trickle charging for a limited time, what is the battery voltage after charging? To check the condition of the battery after fully charging, turn on the high beam headlights, without the engine running, and if the battery voltage drops below 12 volts in less than 20 minutes then the battery is either a dud or not fully charged.

As for the bike charging system, as others have said check that the battery voltage. Should be around 14 volts at 5000 rpm with headlights on high beam.

[NC30Dubz]

Sorry, just jumping in here, I'm having charging issues aswell.

new battery, new regulator/retifier, new male connecting block into the reg/rec (maybe i wired that wrong although i was very careful when re-wiring it) battery will hold charge until i use the headlights, doesnt take long to drain after i turn them on. bike also died on me yesterday whilst on the move, managed to get it home but have had to resort to not riding it due to being temperamental. Any help is appreciated!