Dead battery question. New battery. WTF?

[colab]

I bought a new battery earlier in the summer. Then I put my bike in for service. FOr one reason or another it took almost 2 months to get my bike back.

Long story short I found about 5 days after getting my bike back the battery died. So I charged it up. I figured it had lost charge while sitting at the mechanics shop.

Again yesterday while at the grocery store it was dead. Luckily I was able to kickstart it.

Is it possible that the alternator is shot? Is there anything I can do to diagnose it myself? Is there any other usual suspect things that I can check? A short?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
J

 

[dcmspikes]

not sure if this is your case, but i was told once that once a battery has died or been drained for awhile it wont hold a charge very well again.

 

[mustang319]

If you own or can borrow a volt meter, Charge the battery to full charge. Start the bike up and read the voltage at the battery. If you have a 12 volt system it Should read around 13.2 volts or more when running. No more that 14.2. If its a 6 volt system you will see about the same number but only in the 6 volt range.

Let the bike run with the lights on and even a turn signal would help. What is the battery voltage reading? If its dropping than you could have a charging issue. If its holding at the 6 or 12 volt numbers from above turn off the bike and than look at the meter again. What does it say? Should be around the same number as above.Now turn the lights on without the bike running? Whats the meter showing? If it drops like a rock than the new battery is shot. You did not mention if its an acid bath or sealed battery. Did you check the level in the acid bath battery?
I know you can take a 12 volt to your local auto parts store and have a LOAD TEST done.

I have seen new batteries die in record time. These overseas piles of crap are a waist of cash. Thats just my opinion.

Get back with us. I check this often

Mike