Battery won't stay charged...need help

[shelbyzman]

Hello,
I bought a 200cc 163fml bike from my brother. It has a new battery and spark plug but still takes for ever to start (not sure whats going on with that) and it has to be jumped because the battery isn't staying charged.



So, I figure a bad stator is the reason for it not charging. I took the cover off and oil came out (I'm assuming this is normal as there is a hole behind the flywheel where the oil comes though...see pic).



I ordered another stator and the wires are different colors than my current one. Old one has a 2 white, one white/red, black and black/red. I also attached a pic of something I found online and am hoping the wiring is correct for the new one. Any ideas on the correct placement in the connector?


Any other ideas on what going on with my bike other than the stator? Thanks for the help in advance.

[Oldenslow]

Not a mechanic, but you're going to need to clarify a bit before even a real mechanic can help you. You say it "takes forever to start", and the battery won't stay charged. But, how long is "forever"? No battery will run forever, and cranking can run even a big battery down in short order even if the battery and charging system are fine. If it's crank-crank-cranking without start, you're missing spark, fuel, or compression, and there's a whole list of stuff other than the battery to check over.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by Oldenslow

Not a mechanic, but you're going to need to clarify a bit before even a real mechanic can help you. You say it "takes forever to start", and the battery won't stay charged. But, how long is "forever"? No battery will run forever, and cranking can run even a big battery down in short order even if the battery and charging system are fine. If it's crank-crank-cranking without start, you're missing spark, fuel, or compression, and there's a whole list of stuff other than the battery to check over.

Yeah, I probably didn't explain everything very clearly. It takes a few minutes of cranking with the electric start to get it going. Kick starting seems to not work regardless how many times I kick it.

I'm not happy with how long it takes to start but my main issue right now is getting the battery to stay charged so I don't have to jump it every time. The battery is not charging at all after running it for an hour ride or two ride. It's a new battery, so that shouldn't be the problem. The wiring to the stator connector has me frustrated. The wire colors of the new ones are totally different, so I thought I could compare where the wires are located on the two stators. They are in different positions, so I can't figure it out. Changing the stator out is very simple but figuring out where to place the wires in the connector has me stumped.

[TxTaoRider]

Have you used a voltmeter on the battery terminals to confirm its charging or not while the engine is running? Some cheap batteries are crap when new.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

Have you used a voltmeter on the battery terminals to confirm its charging or not while the engine is running? Some cheap batteries are crap when new.

I ordered a multi meter that is supposed to come in today. So when it's running, what voltage should I get to indicate it is being charged or not? It's completely dead right now and I will have to jump it to get it running. Does it need to be charged to check it properly? I'm pretty sure it isn't charging though....I have had to jump it everytime even after riding it for a good long while. I charged it once before riding, got it started up and then after riding it, when I killed it, the battery had already lost charge and wouldn't start via the electric start. I could kick start it easy once the bike was warmed up though.

[TxTaoRider]

Originally Posted by shelbyzman

I ordered a multi meter that is supposed to come in today. So when it's running, what voltage should I get to indicate it is being charged or not? It's completely dead right now and I will have to jump it to get it running. Does it need to be charged to check it properly? I'm pretty sure it isn't charging though....I have had to jump it everytime even after riding it for a good long while. I charged it once before riding, got it started up and then after riding it, when I killed it, the battery had already lost charge and wouldn't start via the electric start. I could kick start it easy once the bike was warmed up though.

It should show at least 13.5 v up to 14.6v when the rpms are over about 2000 or so rpms.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

It should show at least 13.5 v up to 14.6v when the rpms are over about 2000 or so rpms.

Thanks for the info! To be honest, if I could get this thing kick started...I wouldn't even care if the electric start/battery worked or not, lol. The 125 pit bike I used to own was so easy to kick start (2 or 3 kicks)....the 200cc is pretty much impossible to kick start from a cold start. After it is up and running, first kick gets it going.

[JerryHawk250]

As far as the hard start, it's more than likely you need to adjust the valves and possible tuning of the idle mixture. I know my Hawk was hard to kick start until i adjusted the valves and tuned the carb. Only time i really use the electric start is during the winter. But once it's warmed up, it will kick right off.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

As far as the hard start, it's more than likely you need to adjust the valves and possible tuning of the idle mixture. I know my Hawk was hard to kick start until i adjusted the valves and tuned the carb. Only time i really use the electric start is during the winter. But once it's warmed up, it will kick right off.

I adjusted the valves a long time ago on my 125. This bike only has 700 miles on it (sat for years). Did your valves need to be adjust when the bike was new?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by shelbyzman

I adjusted the valves a long time ago on my 125. This bike only has 700 miles on it (sat for years). Did your valves need to be adjust when the bike was new?

Yes, my valves were tight from the factory as in no clearance. Adjusting them will make a difference.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Yes, my valves were tight from the factory as in no clearance. Adjusting them will make a difference.

Thanks for the info.

[China Rider 27]

Maybe you can use this to figure out something.

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by China Rider 27

Maybe you can use this to figure out something.

Thank you!

[buzz]

Listen to Jerry he knows, i think you have a junk battery.Been seeing more junk batteries in the last 6 months, only last a week or 2. Its a shame everything junk, i'm a die hard chevy fan but no now. Driving a Honda car,and so far so good but never did i think i'd drive a Honda car

[shelbyzman]

Originally Posted by buzz

Listen to Jerry he knows, i think you have a junk battery.Been seeing more junk batteries in the last 6 months, only last a week or 2. Its a shame everything junk, i'm a die hard chevy fan but no now. Driving a Honda car,and so far so good but never did i think i'd drive a Honda car

That would be the easiest fix for sure! I will test it