Help a stranded Platypus

Discussion in 'Classic Motorcycles' started by Champ, Mar 18, 2009.

  1. Champ

    Champ Guest

    Platypus is stuck with a broken vehicle, and doesn't have access to
    the phone number for Carol Nash's breakdown service. Can someone
    please post it here (or text it to me if they have my number) ASAP,
    please.
     
    Champ, Mar 18, 2009
    #1
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  2. Champ

    Champ Guest

    Many thanks. I'd actually intended to post this to ukrm, so I'm
    impressed with the quick response here.

    I've just spoken to the monotreme, and recovery is on its way,
    apparently.
     
    Champ, Mar 18, 2009
    #2
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  3. Champ

    platypus Guest

    I should have had it in my jacket pocket, and in at least one of the phones,
    but like the battery, I seem to have failed.
    Jumpstart duly provided by what appeared to be an untidy clump of long black
    hair in a pair of leather jeans.
     
    platypus, Mar 19, 2009
    #3
  4. now, that's pretty good stuff. Champ's post is timed here at 22:49 and
    yours at 00:27. Just under 2 hours. Usenet at its best, innit.
     
    Austin Shackles, Mar 19, 2009
    #4
  5. Champ

    platypus Guest

    Yep. I got the text from Champ at 2256, phoned them at 2257, got a text
    from the recovery operator at 2307 predicting 55 minutes. By midnight,
    Porco Rosso was doing a fast idle while I signed the chitty, and I was home
    no more than 15 minutes later.
     
    platypus, Mar 19, 2009
    #5
  6. Champ

    A.Clews Guest

    Thus spake Jim ([email protected]) unto the assembled multitudes:
    AOL. The battery I reported a couple of weeks ago that I had shamefully
    allowed to almost dry out, is - as predicted by the wise sages of this
    group - showing signs of approaching death already: nearly failed to turn
    the motor over in the Lidl car park last weekend. Time to get a new one, I
    guess.

    Are maintenance-free, sealed batteries available for bikes? It would be
    nice to fit one and almost forget it (no change there, then ;-)
     
    A.Clews, Mar 19, 2009
    #6
  7. Champ

    Krusty Guest

    Yes - Westco & Hawker (both AGM) to name but two.

    --
    Krusty

    '03 Tiger 955i
    '02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
    '79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)
     
    Krusty, Mar 19, 2009
    #7
  8. Champ

    Bob Scott Guest

    writes
    Yes.

    Er, Odyssey from someone such as Tayna or Motobins

    http://www.tayna.co.uk/catalog/295/0/Odyssey-Batteries-Odyssey-Drycell-
    Batteries-page1.html

    works a treat in my Laverda.

    Even got it to start one March after the bike was put in shed in October
    without having been taken off bike or even charged - that battery is
    still going strong[1] after >5 years.

    Bob

    [1] although it's now in someone else's Laverda 750, don't ask.
     
    Bob Scott, Mar 19, 2009
    #8
  9. Champ

    Krusty Guest

    I'm reserving judgement on Tayna for now. Got a battery for the
    Corvette from them a couple of years ago (a Varta with a 5 year
    guarantee), & it died completely last month. They had it collected just
    over two weeks ago (which cost me 17 quid), & I've heard nothing since.
    I emailed them this morning, but no reply yet.


    --
    Krusty

    '03 Tiger 955i
    '02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
    '79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)
     
    Krusty, Mar 19, 2009
    #9
  10. Champ

    Bob Scott Guest

    In that case, I'd say use motobins or Knights. I only mentioned Tayna
    because that was what google found first

    The first odyssey I bought came from knights (http://www.knightbatteries
    ..com/) & second from motobins. Both still working fine, both in
    laverdas.
     
    Bob Scott, Mar 19, 2009
    #10
  11. Champ

    Rusty_Hinge Guest

    Yes.
     
    Rusty_Hinge, Mar 19, 2009
    #11
  12. Champ

    platypus Guest

    Yes, but if you're only going 6 miles each way, they eventually need a few
    more electrons poured into them.
     
    platypus, Mar 19, 2009
    #12
  13. Champ

    A.Clews Guest

    Thus spake platypus () unto the assembled multitudes:
    I'm sure my trusty Optimate will do what's necessary.
     
    A.Clews, Mar 20, 2009
    #13
  14. Champ

    A.Clews Guest

    Thus spake Bob Scott () unto the assembled multitudes:
    Thanks, I'll give 'em a look.
     
    A.Clews, Mar 20, 2009
    #14
  15. Champ

    crn Guest

    The problem with an Optimate and many modern chargers is that they will not
    start charging if the battery is below a certain voltage, usually around
    9 volts. Obviously this means the battery is badly discharged but a good
    old fashioned charger will whack some electrons in and get the voltage
    back up to something that the newfangled chargers such as Optimate can
    understand.

    So ...... If the Optimate will not charge a battery just give it an hour
    or so on an old charger or jumpleaded to a good battery and try again.
    This does not, of course, guarantee that the battery has not been fucked
    by being left discharged but in many cases a rescue is possible.
     
    crn, Mar 20, 2009
    #15
  16. Champ

    platypus Guest

    My scruffy Halfords device appears to have things under control.
     
    platypus, Mar 20, 2009
    #16
  17. Champ

    A.Clews Guest

    Thus spake () unto the assembled multitudes:
    I do also have a conventional charger, so will keep both to hand.

    Thanks for the tip.
     
    A.Clews, Mar 21, 2009
    #17
  18. Champ

    Krusty Guest

    Bad form, but in case anyone's interested, an update. It's a bit, err,
    surreal.

    Yesterday I went round to the house where I lived when I originally
    bought the battery, & there was a 'missed delivery' card there from
    Business Post, dated 12th March. I rang them when I got home, & they
    said it was from a company called Tayna. OK, that'll be a replacement
    battery then, & the stupid muppets lost the new address details (even
    though they picked the old battery up from said new address a few weeks
    ago).

    I then check emails, & there's one from Tayna as follows:

    "We have charged the battery and tested it and it is performing to its
    original capacity. The only issue with the battery was it needed an
    overnight charge as it had been drained down during use. We can return
    this battery to you for a cost of ?7.98. Please confirm that we can
    take this money and we will contact the bank. Please do not be
    surprised at this outcome as over 60% of batteries returned simply need
    a good charge to return them to their normal working capacity. Your
    battery still has a capacity of 650cca!"

    Riiiiiiight. So the thing Business Post tried to deliver more than 10
    days ago must be the original battery, which has miraculously recovered
    after an overnight charge (even though I left it on charge for several
    days before returning it), & they've forgotten they sent it to me. So I
    email them again, saying I've called Business Post, who confirmed it
    was from Tayna but couldn't say what it was, & ask Tayna to confirm it
    is the battery that Business Post are holding & not just a catalogue or
    something, as collecting will be a bit of hassle. They reply, saying
    "sorry for the confusion. Call Business Post." Great. Seriously, really
    fucking useful.

    Anyway I went to collect the mystery parcel this morning, & it's a
    brand new battery. WFT? I suppose I shouldn't complain as I got the
    right outcome, but I'll be avoiding them in future I think. Their
    internal comms are seriously fucked up, which could cause major hassle
    methinks.

    --
    Krusty

    '03 Tiger 955i
    '02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
    '79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)
     
    Krusty, Mar 24, 2009
    #18
  19. Champ

    Bob Scott Guest

    Think that qualifies as a result, although I would avoid Tayna on the
    strength of that saga.

    Wonder if there's some poor sucker somewhere thinking that their new
    battery doesn't look that new...
     
    Bob Scott, Mar 24, 2009
    #19
  20. Champ

    A.Clews Guest

    Thus spake Bob Scott () unto the assembled multitudes:
    Hmmm... I ordered a new battery from Tayna for my Trident late on Monday.
    Should be getting delivered today...
     
    A.Clews, Apr 1, 2009
    #20
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