bike dies when starter pushed

[matthew]

1997 CBR 1100
Battery new as of last year, always kept on tender
Aftermarket R/R installed at beginning of season
Accessory fuse box and GPS hard wired to battery (always hot)

I rode the bike to work this morning, no issues.
After work, I turn the key in the ignition, lights come on. I press the starter and the lights go out and I hear something that sounds like a pop / crackle. Engine doesn't turn over

I thought it was the main 30A fuse, but the bike's clock still had power, but the time was off. After a few minutes, lights come on and I was able to bump start the bike, but it idled extremely rough and died. I used CAA to get home.

I put the bike on a tender, charge up the battery. Turn ignition to on, lights come on, press starter, I hear the noise again and all lights instantly go off. Engine doesn't turn over

I wait a few minutes, lights come on, horn works and sounds strong, signals work. I press the starter and same result.



Any ideas?

I haven't pulled the battery to check the 30a fuse yet.

 

[JFD]

is this the first ride of your season?

i had a similiar experience with an r6...rode to work more or less fine, but it was flowing traffic. On the way home, it was really rough idle, and would shut off unless the revs were up. plugs were super fouled.

Your battery could be toast. Do you hear multiple clicks? Tender will only maintain a battery - you need to actually charge it if it's drained. There's enough to power the electrics but not enough to crank by the sounds of it.... Volt meter required here to check the power output...

 

[matthew]

It's hardly my first ride.

I hear only one click. I know the sound of a weak battery but I don't hear it this time.

I'll hook up the ignition terminals to a big 12v battery charger today and see if the bike starts and I'll go from there

 

[DJM]

Couple of thoughts

Battery is toast
You have a current draw draining the battery over time eg: accessories
Charging system issue like alternator
Poor connections at battery, starter, ground or bad relay

 

[mroberto]

A pop/crackle sounds to me like a poor connection, or broken wire, that is arcing. If it happens when thumbing the starter, then check the connections between the battery, the starter relay and the starter motor. A short will drain the battery pretty good. Drawing that much current can melt wires and cause bigger problems.