problems with electric starter

[Chris0381]

I think the battery that comes with the stock super 8 has a number on it.

Google that number and a few options will come up.

How is the BBK doing, did you do any upgrades since and whats your top speed now.

[kimura]

ok thanks, ill check it out. I've never done any work on it myself, other than put gas and oil. lol

the bbk is great, my top speed is about 42mph but it  accelerates quickly from a dead stop and it handles the steep hills around me very well.
Before the bbk and variator it was so slow that I found it dangerous to ride. Now it's got some pep to it. Eventually I will change to a bigger carb but not for a while, as it is now, it more than satisfies my needs. 
 
 

[TroutBum]

Take your batter either to your repair shop or auto parts store. They can test the battery and if the cells are good slow charge the battery usually for a few bucks or free.

[kimura]

Troutbum, thanks for your suggestion.

As I've mentioned before, I really suck at working with tools. Anything I try to work on, it seems I either put it back together wrong or something breaks, to the point that I've accepted that I must be cursed.
Since I have no other choice and the job of undoing a total of 4 screws and pulling the battery out seems so simple, I figured I would be try it while making sure I was SUPER careful not to force anything.

I was so happy that maybe this one time I was successful in not breaking anything but Alas! My misfortune continues. When I pulled the battery out, I noticed a piece broke off right where that red mark is. How could that happen? I didn't even touch that piece, let alone force it.

Anyway, I got the battery out and will be ordering a new one today.

[MooseMax]

I believe that plastic piece is the Chinese flag. 

I've always bought the least-expensive sealed AGM battery on Ebay and never had a problem.

By the way, it's good to own a multimeter, to test the battery and diagnose other electrical issues.  It's just $4 on Ebay for a digital model. 

[kimura]

thanks, ill try to pick one up.

[Chris0381]

I take it you are not letting your scooter get soaked by rain, you keeping all contacts clean and especially the battery terminals.

Those are important. I use dielectric grease on my terminals.

I also converted all the fuses to sealed (almost water tight) flat fuses.

[kimura]

Hi Chris, I don't let it get soaked. I guess it could be cleaner in there. I'll look into dielectric grease and sealed fuses.

My battery should be here today, I can't wait to hook it up and see what happens.  I hope it hasn't been so long (3 weeks) since I started it and the carb isn't clogged. lol


On a side note, the last time I rode it I got a ticket  because I forgot to replace the 2015 sticker on my license plate,    The officer was really fired up about giving me the ticket too. lol

[kimura]

I'm SO happy to report that swapping the battery was a success!!  she fired right up!!

although its a petty job for most, its significant for me because I usually can't do anything at all with tools. 

thanks to everyone on this thread, especially Chris, and zombie, who hooked me up with some parts last year!

I'm off scooting, beep beep!