Long story short, I haven’t used my Muti 1200 DVT 16plate for coming up to 7yrs. It’s been in my nephews garage all this time on a trickle charger. Anyway, due to health reasons I decided to sell it, had a chap interested in it, so for the first time in a long time tried to fire it up, no joy. Tried changing battery in the key, still no joy couldn’t even get the steering lock off, not a flicker, nothing. My question is, should I try a new bike battery and if so, what’s involved or any other suggestions. Hope you lot out there can help, thanks in advance. Broke
Sounds like the battery would be the likely culprit - 7 years on a trickle charger without being started would likely kill the battery.
Battery life, in normal use, is around that time anyway. Also depends on the charger, an intelligent battery tender like an Optimate or similar might have been OK, a generic trickle charger will likely have killed the battery in that time. Replace the battery and it should turn over. How well did you prepare the bike for storage. Fuel is probably stale if you didn't drain or treat it (maybe too long for fuel stabiliser anyway). There maybe more you need to do as well. I'd be doing an oil change and the cam belts will be in need of changing, they can set in shape and perish/degrade over time. Normal service life is 5 years ISTR. Tyres will need checking and probably replacing. What does the chain look like? Is the buyer aware that the bike has been stored for that long. If you can get it started and they're willing to take on the rest for a consideration on price then that could be the way to go.
it is difficult to know, but from what you have described, as long as it hasn't been stored in really damp conditions with lots of surface corrosion evident, I would think there's a very good chance that a fresh battery would do it, as already said, and also as said, new fuel if possible. Hopefully it was brimmed when it was stored? Or fuel pump could decide not to work either. sounds like a potential bargain to me, the sort of thing I have always been interested in.
Thanks for reply’s. It was on an Optimate charger and I’d had the bike coated by Cheeky Monkees before I left it. Can I just change the battery ? Will I have to have the bike re coded or something ?
It should be okay with a new battery, if you can get hold of a booster pack that will have the same effect and be cheaper to just see. You could even boost it from a car with a set of jump leads... MAKE SURE THE CAR ENGINE IS OFF! or the car's alternator could damage the reg/rec if it tries to regulate the car, the car has a huge advantage there. (approx. 35A R/R -v- 175A Alternator on my Diesel Volvo) With the engine off it's just another 12v battery.
Bike batteries aren't coded like car ones are, certainly not for my 1260 Multi anyway. Not sure about more recent models though. Should be a straight swap on yours.
Try laying the active key against the antenna. It’s under the rhs fairing infill panel. Have a look in the handbook for a better description. If the battery in the fob is dead, then the antenna will read the key if it’s close enough. If you press the emergency power on button, under the cover at the front of the tank, does the dash come on and ask for PIN? If not, then the main battery on the bike is likely shot
Well thanks everybody, bike is now sold I’m sorry to say. Battery pack was applied and it started first time, amazing after nearly 7yrs. I am sad and slightly reluctant to see it go, and sad to think, this huge part of my life (motorcycles) has come to an end. Broke.
